One of the most beautiful and inspirational quotes/poems my mother gave me had to do with people who come in and out of your life. I think it also applies to this wonderful community. Follow below the Fluer-de Kos and I'll explain.
About 13 years ago my life changed radically and I moved from the home I had always known in Northeast Ohio to New England. I was talking to my mother about all the changes a few years later and lamenting people who I'd drifted apart from with the move and she sent me this wonderful inspirational poem/quote:
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and
force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real.
But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must
build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
TODAY THANK A PERSON WHO IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER HAS BEEN PART OF YOUR LIFE - Even if a small way you can make them feel that you are indeed thankful for their presence as well as the beautiful moments that they have given you.
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I think this personifies our community here at Daily Kos and what it offers to the people who join here. People are here for a season, a reason or a Lifetime.
I lurked for about a year before I joined here and waited another two before I ever did a diary. I never felt like I really had much to contribute nor would the voice of a former Republican ever be welcomed in a community of lifelong Democrats. I was blessedly and thankfully wrong.
So "TODAY I THANK A PERSON who in one way or another has been a part of my life." Onomastic first reached out to me to do a diary for Netroots for the Troops. She supported me putting together that first terrifying post with my name on it. I can never thank her enough for encouraging me to really engage with this community and giving her love and support. She personifies the beauty of this community as a whole and I am very glad to have joined for what I hope is a Lifetime.
I came for the Primary Season, I stayed through the Election of 2008 for a reason, but this blog has become my home, my community; hopefully for a lifetime. Recently someone anonymously gifted me with a Lifetime Subscription. I was touched beyond words that someone would give such a precious gift which said to me I was welcome here for a lifetime.
Personally I love the C&J Community, the Pootie Peeps, and the Front Porch at Black Kos to name just a few. I salute and honor those whose commitment to honoring others is so strong in the IGNT Community and the Military Community. I am in awe of the tireless efforts of those who practice outreach in the KosAbility community and the Greiving Room, and the various groups that raise money to diminish the suffering of our fellow man in some small way. And of course those who work so hard to bring us Top Comments and High Impact Diaries and Rescue Ranger / Community Spotlight pieces. We laugh together, cry together, share together and sometimes even fight together. We are a Community.
Part of belonging to a community is supporting that community to make it better and stronger. It shows a commitment to this, your community. A Lifetime Subscription helps Markos keep the community vibrant and growing (not to mention getting rid of the annoying Newsmax ads). You can subscribe here:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
If you are in the Christmas spirit maybe you could consider giving a Lifetime Subscription to others who you would have be a part of this community for a Lifetime. You could go and pick someone off of THE LIST here:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Or, if you want to gift a Kossack on Onomastic's Secret Santa list by sending her a private message through the kos mail system (another great feature of DK4) and she will provide you the name of a fellow Kossack in need.
No one asked me to write this diary ~ I just happen to think that our community is worth the investment of our time and our money. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanuka, and a Joyous Kwanzaa to all my fellow Daily Kos family members.