It's been a rough year, a couple really. This has been a time in my life that I've had to turn away from things I wanted to do, things I wanted to have and things I wanted to contribute to. While I tell myself it's ok, I'm not in as desperate of circumstances as some, it can still be a little soul crushing. Today someone lifted me up and I just want to say thank you to that generous soul, and everyone in this community.
My circumstances aren't that unusual in 2011, USA. I haven't had a full time, regular job in well over 2 years, my UI has run out, I'm in foreclosure and have run through my savings. I have the great, good fortune of being able to meet my most basic needs with some freelance work though that leaves nothing for extras. Things I once through were vital, are unattainable frills and that's not always a bad thing. I've learned a great lesson in need vs. want. When I first heard of the subscription drive, a lifetime sub shot right up the "want...really really want....damn can't have it" list.
I'm not a prolific diarist or one of the truly gifted writers that grace these orange electronic pages but I have found a sense of camaraderie and acceptance here that's quite unlike any other. This "blog" is like a giant virtual commune where people share their joy, outrage, laughter, advice and tears while working toward common goals. I won't lie, I wanted that shiny badge that makes you a lifer, wanted it badly enough to stuff my often foolish pride and ask for help...and wow pinch me there you all were.
1st to my Secret Santa. You so rock! You put me over the moon when I saw this:
Dear Siri,
Congratulations! An anonymous benefactor has purchased you a lifetime gift subscription to Daily Kos.
To: Siri
From: An anonymous benefactor
I hope you feel just a shred of the utter joy and absolute giddiness that message inspired. I owe you a huge debt of gratitude. I hope to be in a position at some point to pay it forward and I hope you feel the warm glow of happiness emanating in your direction. Good karma....you haz it!
To the team working on getting people facing challenging times set up with the lifetime subscriptions...wow. You are tireless, organized, compassionate, caring, selfless, wonderful and infinitely kind. There simply aren't enough beautiful words to capture the magic you've created in this community. Each of you is a treasure. Thank you.
To all of you here at the Great Orange Satan. I really can't even begin to say how valuable this community is to me and each and every one of you help make it what it is.
If you haven't done so yet, please check out the current diary that's helping get kossacks hooked up with lifetime subs and give it a tip and rec to make sure it stays up on the rec list. If you can do it for yourself, subscribe. If you can do it for someone else too, well I can assure you, it will make someone feel their spirits infinitely buoyed.
Thanks again, to everyone. Just want to share one of my all time favorite videos. This one reminds me we are all in this together.