A Remarkable and Encouraging Thing Just Now Occurred at My Household

[Emit]

My mother, a Hillary support up 'til now, just called me to say that all the cable news programs are announcing that Obama is the Democratic Presidential Nominee. (She knows that I don't have cable, and often calls to tell me what Fox News, Tweety, et al are saying.)

"Yup," I told her, expecting an earful of sour grapes.

Here's the clincher. She was ecstatic and jubilant, asking me if I had saved all my bumper stickers and stuff from the primaries and going on and on about what an historic event this is and how pleased she is.

I am very happy. A while back, there was a time when this Obama v Clinton thing was beginning to create a wedge even between me and my own mother (I posted about it a while back, when the Rev. Wright thingy first hit). I even had to back off from discussions about politics and particularly the primaries because it became increasingly uncomfortable for both of us.

Anyway, she's calling everyone, including all her family members down south, and encouraging them to get out and volunteer and vote for Obama!

She even said she got that tingly feeling all over ... with goosebumps. She wants me to let my kids know what an historic day this is, and save all my political stuff from this year for my grandkids!

This is big for me. It is so encouraging to get this call from my mom. :)

Thanks, Mom!

Forgot to add, she asked to borrow Obama's book -- Dreams from My Father -- been trying to get her to read it for weeks now. I'll take it over tomorrow when I pick up some groceries for her! :)

[babylonsister]

1. Lucky you. I've had a worse relationship with my Dad over Clinton;

he hasn't called me yet and most likely won't. x(

[Radio_Lady]

15. Sorry to hear that. Maybe you should send him a letter or an email.

My husband just heard from his daughter after a ten year estrangement. This was not over politics, by the way. You could take the first step.

It's too late
When you die
To admit you don't see
Eye to eye...

10,000 Maniacs -- forget the name of the song.

[babylonsister]

18. No, we talk a lot, just not about politics, but thanks for the pep talk!

He just turned 80; I refuse not to talk to him!

[Radio_Lady]

21. Politics has split up many families; not ours, however.

My Mormon son and I don't talk politics, either.

He's not a political junkie like his stepdad and me. His mother-in-law tells him who to vote for -- and I talk with my daughter-in-law about the Democrats sometimes.

Peace, love and happiness,

Radio Lady in Oregon

:-)

[roguevalley]

19. see, this is what is missing. there were two historical moments here.

we can have another one with Obama. Good for you and your mom. I am sorry, Babylonsister. I hope things work out. My parents, god rest them, would be ecstatic if they were here.

[Emit]

20. I'm so sorry to hear that, babylonsister

I thought for sure this would escalate with my mother and me (fwiw, my Dad is a life-long, Rush-style Repug and we often can't talk politics, unless I am willing to just listen and keep my mouth shut, which doesn't work well for me anymore).

I was really worried with some of the comments that my mother had been making -- she's very susceptible to teevee, elderly, doesn't get out much, believes too many things she sees on M$M, etc. The more I would try to persuade her to lay off Faux News and the like, the worse things got.

Anyway, I do hope that he'll come around to a meeting of the minds on some level with you and the two of you can converse about politics someday. :hug: :hi:

edit to add word

[NanceGreggs]

2. Thanks, Emit's Mom!

And thanks to Emit for sharing this story!

[me b zola]

3. I heart Emit's mom

:loveya:

[JeffR]

4. You tell your mom she kicks ass

(unless she finds that terminology offensive, in which case, please translate it into something that doesn't reference asses).

[Emit]

22. My mother would

greatly welcome the notion that someone thought she kicks ass :)


Thanks!

[Beregond2]

5. So much for Obama's "big problem" with Clinton voters.

[Radio_Lady]

8. One story out of 17 million...

What is next? Unity for Democracy...

[Radio_Lady]

6. This is how we proceed... this is what we want. Everybody on board...

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady/238

[Emit]

23. Thanks for your apropos sentiments, Radio_Lady

:hi:

This is how we proceed! Yup.

[Skidmore]

7. The first of many other such stories to come.

A hearty thanks to your mother.

[Radio_Lady]

9. That's it.

Thanks, Skidmore...

[ErinBerin84]

10. Thanks for sharing your story with us!

:)

[K Gardner]

11. I'm so happy for you, EMIT !! I remember your post and know how painful that was for you :-))

[Emit]

25. Ah, thanks, K Gardner

Yeah, that was a bummer of a time that I never thought I'd have to deal with -- this election cycle has been historic in many ways other than just the obvious. It really has made my family grow and address issues that we had not really fully dealt with before. Actually, the last 7 or 8 years has been that way for me and my family in many ways. Anyway, thanks! :hi:

[Spazito]

12. That is SO cool!

Your Mom is a lady to be reckoned with! I can see you are very PROUD of your Mom and you should be! She stayed loyal to her choice but she is, most of all, a Democrat and an American.

WTG Emit's Mom!

[Phx_Dem]

13. That's awesome.

Especially because it's your mother. Very very cool. Tonight is great night.

Welcome Mother Emit. :hug:

[NatBurner]

14. kiss your moms for me

[BlooInBloo]

16. :)))))

[blogslut]

17. That is encouraging and I bet you feel wonderful

:hi:

[City Lights]

24. Thank you for sharing your wonderful news, Emit.

Very encouraging story. Hope we hear more of these every day!

To you and your mom: :toast: :yourock:

[SaveAmerica]

26. Hal lay lou ya! Sign of things to come I hope!!

[genna]

27. I'm ALL FOR Unity in THE family

:bounce:

[NotThisTime]

28. What caused her to have this reaction? It's very uplifting!

[Emit]

29. I honestly thought I would get a call of complaint

the way she had been dissing Obama and his wife over the preceding months.

She broke her leg last week, and I've been spending a great deal of time with her, although I had not been talking a lot of politics with her lately, because it would always end in hurt feelings. But, today, she just had a whole different perspective --

In all honesty, this behavior today is much more like my mom -- the stuff she was saying about the Obama's was so much unlike what I had known my mother to be and that was what was causing a lot of discomfort between us.

She is really psyched, though, and had such complimentary things to say about Obama today. Of course, she also continues to be a strong Hillary supporter, and added that she hopes Obama picks her for VP and talked a lot about what a smart woman she is and all that she's done. And, MOST IMPORTANT, imho, she said, "We just can't have another Republican." She even encouraged me to get back to door knocking and volunteering for the Obama campaign.

Anyway, I'm just glad she's accepted the Obama win and, at least in my own little world, things will begin to resolve and we can move on toward the GE.

[Emit]

30. Thanks all, for responding!

I'll pass on the word to Mom :hi: :)

[Diane R]

31. Get your mother the audio CD of 'Dream of my Father' from the library...she'll love listening to him

[Emit]

32. Oh, excellent idea Diane R -- I will do that!!

thanks so much for the idea -- never would've thought of that :) :hi:

[Barack_America]

33. That makes my heart smile!

Yea for your mom!