I must humbly thank some kind, kind soul.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

I don't know who you are, but there is a lot of love in my heart for you right now. I noticed, today, that there is a star next to my name. I cannot afford to contribute monetarily to DU, such are the exigencies of my financial situation, since I am out of work, without a car and in a town with few, if any employment opportunities.

When I posted in Willbur's thread the other night, regarding the fact that I could not afford to contribute, I did not do so in the hopes of getting a star. I want to make that clear. I said that only to point out that someday, I deeply hope to have changed my personal circumstances to the point that I could be a patron of DU, that I could make a considerable and significent financial contribution to this most worthy forum.

And, perhaps, spur some of those with more comfortable circumstances to hit their checkbooks, credit cards or piles of gold bullion, and silks and spices of the east.

In this time of forum-wide examination, of "Why are we here?"-style introspection, one thing comes readily to mind as to why we are here:

Because this is a place where good people, with good hearts, good souls and good hopes for the future of this country congregate in fellowship. For a better future for everyone in this country and world. Not just for those who would make themselves The New Royalty and impose their New Feudalism.

So, whomever you are, wherever you are, take this one simple fact with you: There is someone out there, tonight, who feels the deepest affection for you and will say a prayer for you, tonight.

And many nights to come.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[AP]

1. If anyone wants to sponsor me, I'll accept!

[karlschneider]

7. Check your inbox.

;-)

[revcarol]

2. Someone did this for me the last time.

Restores your faith in human nature, at least, Democratic human nature.

Nice feeling, isn't it? We ARE a family...

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Yes, your reverendness...

We most certainly are. With all the cocommitent squabbling, bitching, tenderness and supportiveness that goes with being a family. We are, at once, functional and dysfunctional, like any large and growing family. Simply a collection of individuals, once lost, now found.

[demnan]

3. I loved your post

and thank your benefactor as well. You are well worth the contribution because you are an asset to this forum. Someday you will be doing well in life and you will return the favor to someone else.

It's a beautiful thing, and that's how it's done.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. I have a simple philosophy:

Blessings are like the finest fruit, at the peak of ripeness. They are so toothsome, full of flavor and juices, they are a joy to the flesh and the spirit. But like any fine fruit, at their peak, they are fragile. They will soon spoil. But there is a way to keep blessiongs from spoiling:

Pass them on.

By passing blessings on, in any way you can,they will forever keep their ripeness. They will stay at their peak forever.

It works for me. It is a philosophy that came to me in the toughest of times. I have practiced it aciduously and it has sustained me.

[karlschneider]

5. See? Even a shit head gets a nummy sometimes!

NO flame intended...just a wacky attempt at some black humor. I hope you're not offended. Welcome to the star gang. :D

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

13. Don't worry, Karl.

None taken. :D

You are just practicing that subtlety that allows you to survive in the wilds of darkest Oklahomatucky. ;-)

[karlschneider]

15. ROFL! Thanks for understanding. I do get a little wacky sometimes.

:D

[sonias]

6. Awesome story

All the more reason to love DU, people with hearts. I applaud the person who sponsored your star. Lovely gesture and your thanks was so heartwarming too.

A cheer for both of you :toast:

Heck lets cheer all of DU too
:toast: :toast: :toast:

Sonia

[Vadem]

22. Hear! Hear!

:toast:

[Ripley]

8. Well this is certainly needed.

A little light in the sewer DU was beginning to look like.

Thanks for sharing TS!

:D

[JPace]

10. A bright spot...

on a rather dark day, thanks for sharing!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. i feel all warm and fuzzy inside....i thank whoever it is too

:loveya:

[roughsatori]

12. Thanks for telling us that

and thanks to the giver of your star. I love hearing things like that.

[tom_paine]

14. That is a terrific story

It does indeed warm the heart.

Thanks to your benefactor, as has already been said above and no doubt below soon as well.

It's great that this happened.

[Robbien]

16. Aw, I'm misting up here. You are fogging up my contacts.

Sending you my best. Here's hoping you get a good job soon.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. Where Are You And What Kind Of Work Do You Do?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

19. I live in NJ. Northwest NJ, to be accurate.

I do have a lot of computer experience, lots of Linux experience especially. I'm real good with the boxen and networks, but I have a lot to yet learn. A whole lot.

I worked in the music business for 27 years, for some of the biggest bands and artists in the world. I have been Director of Marketing for a tech startup. I have driven a cab. I have done landscaping(Did you know they do landscaping in hell? ;-) ). I have done sales. I worked for Ken Shaefer, when he came out with the first successful and usable wireless guitar/microphone system. I have been a psychiatric case worker. Other things, too. I am real good at working with Psittacines.

I came here to take care of my dying mother, I got taken by my employer for $154,000 in salary and stock options and I lost my car.

So here I am.

Wadda you got in mind? ;-)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

26. I Wish I Knew Something

In FL there are alot of opportunities in Health Care which psychiatric case worker would fall.

[newyawker99]

34. Your star looks great on you, T_S!!

and a big :thumbsup: to your sponsor.

[truth2power]

18. Aw, TS

That post actually brought me to tears. I'm sitting here sniffling.

Bless you, and your benefactor. The people on DU are the best! :loveya:

[Jacobin]

20. The generous contributor could not have picked a better

poster to contribute on behalf of.

Love your insight.

[Booberdawg]

21. *sniff*

:(

Nice to hear

[Andy_Stephenson]

23. Pass the kleenex!

:hi:

[Pastiche423]

24. Your story warms my cockles

Thank you, TS for sharing and I thank your benefactor for his/her generosity and compassion.

Sending your positive thoughts on your job search!

[Walt Starr]

25. I'm so glad to hear this

The gold star looks wonderful next to your name too~

[AP]

27. Hey, I've been sponsored!!! This place is great.

Sometimes I love love love DU.

[ConsAreLiars]

28. sweet happens

Thanks to whoever had the heart and wits to see this done.

The net makes possible new forms of sharing, and it didn't even occur to me that this might be possible. DU mods might consider making this an explicit option on the Donations page?

(TS - the nice thing about Karma is that it is its own reward, but you're about due for cashing in on a little. Give Miggy a few extra sunflower seeds.)

[prolesunited]

29. That's such a heart-warming story

There have been quite a few stories of DUers donating in other people's names. With all the complaints about how much money people spend, I'm sure no one will complain when it's put to such good use.

[CoffeePlease1947]

30. I know how you feel

[G_j]

32. I identify

also, having been layed off more than once since 9-11. Being unemployed has humbled me, as friends have helped me
survive. Compassion and caring are alive and well.

[Le Taz Hot]

31. Dang, TS!

Just when I was about to give up on this place someone goes and does something like this. I need to start taking my own advice here and concentrate on the positive on DU and leave the negative behind. Your benefactor gave more than one gift -- he/she gave me a much-needed kick in the pants reminder. And thank you for that, whoever you are.

[DemExpat]

33. Wow....that is so wonderful.

Like AP said above, sometimes I love love love DU!

:loveya:

DemEx

[TacticalPeek]

35. Per aspera ad astra.

n/t

[TahitiNut]

36. Virtue is its own reward.

There can be no other lest it not be a virtue.

[Rhiannon12866]

37. This is an awesome story and an incredible post

Thanks so much for sharing so much of yourself with us. I do believe that most people are basically good at heart, especially on DU, despite the bickering and the flaming. We all have frustrations.

I am so pleased for you. I am actually choked up. I hope that your benefactor sees this beautiful post and that it makes his/her day.:-)