Well, I lost my identity today.

[Raven]

Today was my first day volunteering for Swing the Vote here in New Hampshire. The goal of the group is to get people registered to vote. In 2000, Bush carried NH by only 7,200 votes. There were 23,000 people eligible to vote in Cheshire County (my county) who did not vote. Had they voted, the outcome of the 2000 election might have been different.

So I'm in downtown Keene manning an information table with some other volunteers. We are chatting back and forth about our political activities and I mention that my son writes for an on line magazine. Someone asks "what magazine" and I say "Truthout". Well their eyes widened and they said "Rivers Pitt???" and I say, yup, he's my son. I was amazed! These folks log on to Truthout everyday and read everything Will writes. They are not young people, they are my age.

So now I'm being introduced as William Rivers Pitt's Mom! What a kick! :-)

edited for typo.

[mermaid]

1. Awesome!!

And keep up the good work! Enough of us do our thing and we CAN overcome the Dark Side...the evil that threatens to engulf our nation, and take democracy away from us all forever!

The BFEE CAN BE BEATEN!! The Dark Side CAN be overcome!

WE WILL WIN!!!

WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH!!!

[Raven]

8. What I like about Swing the Vote is

that it is very focused. It has targeted a certain population up here that could really make a difference. In just my first hour today I gave out registration information to seven people who were not registered. They weren't kids either. They were in their late 20's, early 30's. I felt so good about doing that!

[dolo amber]

2. Will who?

:shrug: :P

I'm shocked this hasn't happened to you before, acutually. He's quite the little wordsmith. ;)

[Raven]

4. Outside of DU, it's never happened before!

I was taken by surprise and I got a huge lump in my throat over it.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

7. "Quite the little wordsmith..."

Yeah, if he keeps it up and eats all his vegetables, he might have a modest future as a writer. ;-)

[Raven]

10. It'll never happen then!

He is the worst eater I've ever known. Has been since he was a baby. He must have the arteries of an 80 year old!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

13. Lemme guess...

When he goes to Hampton Beach, he can be counted on to gobble 9 to 10 orders of the greasiest Fried Pepper Rings on the boardwalk? :D

[liberalhistorian]

3. LOL!

I'd be very proud, if I were you. My son's only 13, but he's already very politically aware and involved in reading about and discussing current events. I'd be proud if he became another Will twenty years from now.

BTW, having met Will in person, I can honestly say that he's not the least bit pretentious or self-important like many people in his position often are. You must have done something right, lol!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. So...

Give the bum a smack, next time you see him!

On the cheek. With your lips. What?! You think I would advocate family violence??!! NEVER! ;-)

[liberalmuse]

6. Look at it this way...

It's better than being known as Charles Manson's mother...I guess. I'm kidding!

A few weeks ago I heard your son doing an interview on 'Radio Active', a local show here in Salt Lake. He did a great job. Obviously you done good.

[MuseRider]

9. How cool

proud Mom! Great story. Isn't it wonderful to have your children do well? I am still watching mine work to achieve their goals and loving every minute. Enjoy Raven, you earned it and so did he. Oh, and also, good work doing the Swing The Vote. Thanks from a pretty solid red state. Here is to you changing colors :toast:

[radfringe]

11. you should put that on a T-shirt

and get one for Will that say 'your name's son
:)

[Raven]

12. The funny thing was

that I was not trying to "drop names". I was pretty matter of fact and I didn't think anyone up here would know Truthout. As it turns out, many do. We have the internet to thank for that...it is a true equalizer.

[1monster]

14. What a cycle a woman's life is...

First we are someone's daughter. Then, if we move far enough away from home and stay single for a while, we become ourselves. Then when we marry, we become so-an-so's wife. With the advent of a child (or children), we become little so-an-so's mother. (I'm still in the the third and fourth stage there even though I try to maintain a separate identity.) When my son was in pre-school, the little ones used to greet me, "Hi, W*****'s mom!"

Then, when the children leave home, we might gain a little of our own identities back... until our kids make it big. Then we are back to being so-and-so's mom again. :)

[Raven]

15. I was thinking the exact same thing just now!

I was my father's daughter, my brother's sister, my husband's wife, my kid's mom. I was myself for awhile while Will was in school...now I'm his mom again. I don't think I mind a bit. What is going to be interesting to me is that Will's father is the Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party and will be at the DNC. I'm not sure how this old pol will take to being introduced as WRP's father!!! :-)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

29. Not just women... I am always known as *****'s Dad.

or, hey, are you *****'s Dad?

[Th1onein]

16. So.......are you saying that you are PROUD of that fact, Raven?

Heh. You should be. I would be, too. William Pitt is one of the best writers I've read in a long, long time. I send his pieces to everyone I know. He gives me goosebumps, sometimes.

[Raven]

18. Yes, I am proud of what he's done.

It's taken alot of courage. I think I'm prouder of the fact that he's pretty balanced about things. I think he is really on a mission and people like that usually put themselves in second place. I hope he can stay that way.

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. And I bet you thought those days were left behind in the schoolroom

and on the playground. ;)

From,

James and Nicole's Mom. :hi:

[Raven]

20. You know, I really did!

I'm used to my friends and family asking about Will...but I never expected to be in the middle of a strange city and have folks raving about him. Part of this is that he never brags to me. I usually find out about something he has done from a third party and, of course, when I read his stuff I think it's great because I'm his mom.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. How terrific for you Raven!

Someday I hope I'll get the same! Enjoy it. You were a part of who he has become and you should be proud. :hi:

[jukes]

19. Raven

how wonderful!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. Sort of like the custom in some Middle Eastern countries

Women who have sons are addressed not by their own names, but as "Mother of (whatever their oldest son's name is)."

So shall we stop calling you "Raven" and address you as "Mother of William"? ;-)

[WilliamPitt]

23. Mwah ha hah hah

My evil plot blooms in Keene.

:)

[Raven]

24. Listen you little s**t!

You better behave yourself from now on!

[WilliamPitt]

25. Yes, ma'am

:)

[VelmaD]

26. You are SO cute...

when you're obedient. ;-)

[Cybergata]

27. I think it's pretty cool

I bet you are a proud mother. I really enjoy "truthout."

:hippie:

[Mara Steele]

28. That's so great!

You're such a lucky mom, and he's a lucky guy to have you, no doubt!

That's awesome, I feel your flush of pride and the thrill of fame in the family! :hi: