It's been a little over a day since I posted a plea for help on behalf of my friend Moselle. As I said in the diary yesterday (read it for the full story), I was posting because I didn't know how else to help her family out of their financial situation. When I posted, I knew this community was generous, and I expected that Moselle would receive some help. But I wasn't prepared (and neither was Moselle) for the amount of help she would get from you guys. (In retrospect, I should have been, because Kossacks are awesome)
Thanks to your very generous donations, Moselle not only recovered the money that was stolen from her. This community quite literally gave her family a fresh start and a peace of mind they haven't had in a long time. Bills are paid, there is no longer a danger of losing electricity, and nobody is going to go hungry. And that's not it. You all not only paid the family's essential bills, you saved Christmas for Moselle's children, too. Christmas is no longer canceled.
"Thank you" seems like a cheap way to respond to this community's generosity. But I don't know how else to express my gratitude for helping my friend and her family in a time of dire need. I am so, so, so proud to be a part of this community. We help each other, and we have each other's backs. This is so much more than just a blog dedicated to electing more and better Democrats. You all proved that yesterday, from the people who donated to those who couldn't but offered a tip and rec and a heartwarming comment (yes, those mattered, too).
Really, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. I owe you, big time. I hope your kindness comes back to each of you many times.
Follow me below the fold. Moselle herself has something she wants to say.
To the wonderful KOS Community:
This weekend has been one of the most amazing weekends of my life, which followed one of the harshest months I've ever dealt with. This whole year has been a very trying one for my family, and I had started to truly lose hope for the future. The theft that occurred in my home, by someone who I had welcomed and treated as a guest, was an especially hard blow. Anyone who comes in contact with me knows how hard I struggle with the pain that comes from my illness, and how difficult it is to just go through everyday life, and it blew my mind to know that someone was willing to intentionally cause me so much pain. I felt cynical and bitter, and angry, so so angry. My children almost lost their home, and were to lose their Christmas (and birthdays, both have birthdays in December). I couldn't accept or forgive that.
This gift that you, the KOS community, have given me has done so much more than just help me pay my rent. It has restored my faith in humanity, and proven to me that this is not such a bad, harsh world after all. There are wonderful people out there who are not only willing to help each other out, but who are willing to reach out a hand to a complete stranger who's in need. You have given my family a shot of optimism that was desperately needed. Me and my family will never forget this. We appreciate so much each and every dollar given, kind word, encouragement, prayer and thought sent our way. I am truly humbled by your generosity and kindness. This morning we all sat at the computer and read the wonderful comments you posted. That was by far my favorite moment of this weekend. We felt shocked, excited, happy, loved. I cried to see how many people cared. I will never be able to fully express how truly grateful I am to you for the help pulling through this awful month. And I hope I will be able to, one day, not only repay you for this incredible kindness, but also pay it forward.
From me, my husband David and my sons Tristen and Nicolas, thank you so much for the wonderful present you have given us. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful friend as Chris, and to have been able to experience firsthand the greatness of people, of these people, the Kossacks. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Again, thank you. Daily Kos rocks! And, for those of you who asked, you're going to get a follow-up post at Christmastime. I promise.