I have had many reasons to consider such things as gratitude, compassion and kindness lately -- in my life and in those around me. And certainly in the outpouring of stories of love, and courage and rescue in the face of difficult times experienced by so many of us right here at Daily Kos.
I am reminded of all this because of the anonymous gifting of Daily Kos lifetime subscriptions to so many of us. Maybe its the season. Maybe its the nature of the gift. But I am also reminded of how when I was there, facing a nearly ultimate difficulty, this community was there with me. I remain so grateful to my friend jhutson who not only came to see me in the hospital but followed the ambulance that raced to a second hospital where I had the procedure that saved my life. More on all that in a minute. But first let me say a heartfelt Thank You to that anonymous someone who gave me a lifetime sub the other day when I was off doing something else. Thank You, Anonymous Someone. My quality of life is noticeably improved, but perhaps more importantly, I am reminded once again of the extraordinary kindness and compassion I have seen so much of lately. And that's why I write this diary.
I rarely write much about myself. But I will join in the heartfelt tradition of recent days to extend my gratitude to this community for not only providing a platform for me to periodically arrange bits of black cyber dust for your consideration, and for appreciating my efforts, but for being there at a time like no other in my life, when I had a brush with death.
I will never forget the ICU nurse who took the risk of lending me her computer so I could see Meteor Blades' diary about my dramatic hospitalization and the many kind words that followed. I still sleep under the community quilt that Sara R made for me while I got well. (In many ways, I am still recovering.)
When I was coming of age, the Vietnam war was raging. Cities were in turmoil for many reasons. But I was just a kid. By the time the military was thinking about calling me up, the draft was over and I was in college. I thought that when my generation was old enough to be in positions of power and influence, we would be able to make a much more peaceful world. I was more wrong than right about that, I think. But I remember well how acutely so many of us felt the injustices of our time; how serious we were about doing things about them; and how our decisions to act gave definition and meaning to our lives. We were able to do a lot, but we clearly have, a long way to go. Change is harder and takes longer than most of us thought. And then there are those who are serious about taking us in other directions. Songs like "There but for Fortune" by Phil Ochs, and performed by countless others were everywhere. That song made the top ten on the charts, and made Joan Baez famous, in 1965. And thanks to You Tube, you can hear it below.
We could never have imagined back then, how cyberspace would make new kinds of connections, community and politics possible. Here at Daily Kos we have inspired each other with stories of extraordinary kindness both personal and through such charitable mobilizations as Haitian earthquake relief and helping keep people warm in the Lakota nations. We can read about passionate and often ingenious politics, vast knowledge about extraordinary things from the weather to history, and we learn more than we thought possible. And when necessary, we just read the cartoons and maybe the snark diaries, thanks.
I hope others will join in the lifetime gift subscription giving that has brought us together in such remarkable ways this season. And may all of your lifetimes be long, joyous and productive.