Code Pink in front of the White House- was Obama watching?

May 20, 2009

On Mother’s day, I got to spend some time doing one of my favorite things- having one on one time with my oldest son, 12, who needs a lil space from the 5 and 3 year old sometimes. Combined with kicking it with some amazing women at a Code Pink event, it made for a perfect day. (Dan was on tour, but he took care of M-Day via Hayden-Harnett before leaving- ooh lala!)

J and I traveled to Lafayette Park in DC, where I met and video interviewed (available soon!) the amazing Joy Rose, founder of Mamapalooza, and head of Mamapublooza Publishing, Carol Lester. It was so fun to witness the transformative energy of the women combined, and to expose my son to it. (Although there may have been a little TOO much exposure:

We were in the shadow of the White House. The streets that used to be open to cars are blocked, post-9-11. The peaceful green of the park is jarred slightly when you look at the roof of the White House and see the snipers on constant patrol. Still, it’s overwhelming to see the place where Jed Bartlett was President our country’s leader sleeps.

But best of all, as I talked to Joy and Carol and they shared their reasons for turning to creating music, even as the dishes piled up, even as the laundry sat untended, even as all of the things that demand every mother’s attention everyday sang their siren song: I saw my son listening. He didn’t talk much, just tagged along, carried guitars when asked, and tried to keep his eyes averted from stranger’s bared breasts.

Some of the things he was exposed to, he took with him. As we drove home, tired after a few hour’s adventure without strollers and diaper bags, he said, “It’s important for a mom to have her own identity.” I nodded, drove, waited.

“Because they were people before they were moms…” he said, and although he didn’t quite say them, I heard the words I couldn’t speak until I was much, much older…“You are more than just us…you are yourself, too.” To hear my son recognize women in such an open way made me so proud of the man he will be.

Then he finished. “It’s easier for kids to leave if they know their moms are OK, that they have other things to do and stuff.” And my breath caught, and I thought, Not just yet, kid. But I’m sure that when he goes, he’ll be ready…and that’s the best mother’s day gift ever.

For a list of upcoming Mamapalooza events, click here! I’ll be at the Pier in NYC on May 31, holla!

And if you haven’t already, check out Diane Birch’s Free Itunes Single, “Rise Up” and enter to win an Ipod Nano, plus an autographed copy of Diane’s debut, “Bible Belt”.

Posted in Adventures, DIY, Fangirl, Miscellaneous