An observation: At DU, there is never a lack of human kindness.

[Cyrano]

During my more than 2 1/2 years here, I have noticed that the posts that almost always receive the most replies are those in which someone needs help.

They may have lost a job, a loved one, their faith, their dedication to a cause, or have spoken of something horrendous that has befallen them. Posts of this nature almost always receive hundreds of replies. DUers always respond as though the poster was a family member. And perhaps, in some way, he or she is.

Without being too mushy or sentimental here, I don't know of any other community of about 94,000 people in which so many are ready and willing to reach out to help ease the pain of a "stranger" who just happens to be a fellow human being in need.

I also find it amazing that so many here who are willing to bare their souls to others. Perhaps it's because of our lack of "knowing" each other face-to-face. However, we post our most intimate thoughts here in a way in which we never would to many whom we call personal friends or acquaintances. And the calls for help never go unanswered.

Someday, some psychological whiz may write a book on the nature of our "relationships." But whatever scientific explanation is set forth, DU has proved beyond a doubt that most human beings are really decent, do care about each other, and will do as much as possible to help.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. DU people raised something like $50K in a few days for Andy.

I'll never forget that one.

[SmokingJacket]

2. It's one of the main reasons I love this place.

DU's not perfect, but it is excellent.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. There's likely never been a wider gulf between the bleeding hearts here

on the left, and the selfish, greedy folk on the right.....who so proudly proclaim their religion. boggles the mind...but you are right, it "feels" decent and human here.

[LibDemAlways]

4. When Khephera died, the outpouring of love and

support was just amazing. DUers helped defray the cost of the funeral and those who could, showed up in person to pay their respects to his family. Awesome community, one I'm very proud to be a part of.

[TygrBright]

5. Well, we're Democrats. That's what Democrats are like. n/t

[calimary]

46. Thereya go!

This is a really nice thread. I think we all need a dose of this every so often. It's been kinda rough out there in the last few years. Thanks for this. Thanks for DU! MANY times I've come here feeling down, and have been replenished.

I love this place. I'm addicted. It's shelter from the storm.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Cyrano..........

You probably don't know me, since I mostly live in the Lounge.....

But I can tell you what you say is really true!

I have been on both ends of this situation........

Both giving and receiving help and comfort from my friends....

And sometimes from complete strangers........

I know that for myself, this DU/Lounge feels like home!

Many times, especially late at night, I have felt the web almost literally falling over me....

Connecting me to my loved ones all over the globe....

And when that happens, love happens too.......

May it ever be so.......:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

7. my Dear California Peggy

beauty is as beauty does. and you are beautiful!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. ......

Thanks........:hug:

[Old and In the Way]

8. One of the many positive attributes of the DU community.

I, too, am amazed at the level of support and care that people exhibit to other members during a time of personal crisis. This place makes me a better person in the analogue world.

[applegrove]

10. Yes...very kind people - who like to argue - but who are good eggs

underneath the debate!

[Skidmore]

11. DUers are good people and the best of friends.

Sure we squabble sometimes and disagree about issues but a warm PM when you are down and a friendly smiley can make your day feel a lot lets trying.

[guinivere]

12. One minute there's 'yelling', the next

the hugs and the help are on the way. It's the way a big, kooky Dem family should be.

DU is truly one of the best places to be on the internets.

[karlrschneider]

13. Many of us are hard headed, and

soft hearted. :D
:toast:

[Flying Dream Blues]

14. What a thoughtful post. Just what we need during these

tense and trying times, to be reminded of all that is right with the world. DU is my port in the storm, not only for the meeting of like minds, but for the kindness, humor and wisdom I find here.
:hi:

[CatWoman]

15. So I'm not such an out-of-control bitch after all, huh?

:D

[brook]

17. Ssshhhhh!

Please don't blow our cover. It takes dedication to develop a great o-o-c bitch persona!:hi:

'course all anyone has to do is take a gander at the feline's and your o-c-c-b is buh-bye!

[bicentennial_baby]

21. Well...I dunno 'bout that!

:P

:loveya: always!!!

[Atman]

16. Not true.

I read on CU that we hate EVERYONE, including each other. So screw off! I hate you.

[NMDemDist2]

18. ROFL

and BTW, reading the crap over there will rot your brain

i'm SERIES!!!11!!!


:rofl:

[NMMNG]

19. From one Bleeding Heart Liberal to another

:hug:

[merh]

20. DU was literally my life line after Katrina.

After the storm had passed, I couldn't make any local calls because the towers were all messed up and the storm has severely damaged the communication systems. Fortunately for me, a wonderful DUer, JimmyJazz, had insisted I take her number and call her after the storm when I got the chance. It was terrifying to fight the storm's waters and winds and rains to help my brother and his family to safety on the second floor of my sister's house where we waited for hours as the waters rose 9 feet in the house. When the waters receded and the storm had passed, we came down to total devastation, everything around us destroyed and I knew my home was gone. I so needed to get in touch with someone on the outside and I found that phone number, still legible on the paper in my damp pocket. I dialed it and was able to get through, and on the other end was the friendliest, kindest voice imaginable. I was able to reach JimmyJazz and her voice was so calming and full of concern, it pulled me out of the darkness. Someone on the outside cared, there was life beyond the destruction. She immediately asked what she could do, what we needed, how she could help. I remember telling her to send cigarettes (all of mine except for the few that I had left in my pack had floated away with my truck.) She laughed and said she was against tobacco and would send me Tequila and chocolates instead. For the first time that day, since the storm waters began their crushing of our lives, I was able to laugh and then cry with relief. She could not have done more for me at that moment than she did during that short telephone call, she gave me laughter and love and promised to do what she could, she gave me back hope.

After that, JimmyJazz posted of my situation on DU and DUers came through for me in so many ways. I received care packages and cards and money and pmails of support, I even received a Christmas tree from Wisconsin. Threads of support were written here at DU and I find myself going to those threads when things are gloomy, just to feel the hugs so freely extended on the white screen. DU even allowed a fund raiser and DUers I have never met donated crafted masks to be auctioned in an effort to raise money to help me and Swamp Rat. It was wonderful and it was touching and it was so much human kindness, I don't know if I will ever be able to forget it or give back enough to try to repay the generosity of so many. And I am blessed that JimmyJazz has remained my friend, through times that have been trying for me and despite the fact that my neediness has probably worn on her last nerve.

Sadly, JJ is no longer a poster here because of the nastiness that can consume us when we are too complacent, too cocky and too caught up in things working the way we want them to work, foresaking the feelings of others. Too often we forget to extend human kindness until someone dies, then we reflect on the power of love and kindness and how our lives are affected by those we meet along the way and how our words and actions can affect others.

And it is so fitting that Alarcojon and oneighty have had such an impact on us, even as they leave us, that their passing remind us just how important simple acts of kindness can be and how powerful the written words on a white screen truly are.

Thank you JJ, thank you my fellow DUers and thank you Alarcojon and oneighty, for touching our lives as deeply as you did. Sweet passing Alarcojon and one eighty.

[EFerrari]

22. I remember watching the Katrina coverage and my blood ran cold

wondering if you and Swamp Rat were safe. What a terrible helpless time that was.

:hug:

[merh]

26. I tell you what, had it not been for JimmyJazz, I don't know what

I would have done. I had seriously wondered what was the point of going on, I had nothing and my three pups to take care of with nothing. I remember struggling to find some section of the ground that wasn't covered in glass and dangerous debris to walk them so they could relieve themselves and the whole time I was thinking it would be kinder to put them down than to make them suffer with no food or fresh water, to watch them starve to death. I couldn't take care of myself, how was I to take care of them?

I reached out to Jimmy Jazz and she reached back and held tight, pulling me out of the despair. She would call to check on me and to read me what words of encouragement were written in the threads and to tell me that I was loved. She let fooj know through pmail that I was alive and she literally kept me alive on DU and in real life.

I hated not being able to reach you, but it was so good when we did finally talk weeks after the storm. Sorry to have worried you so and I am touched that you were so worried.

You know I love ya :hug:

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

23. What a nice post

That was very moving.

[merh]

27. thank you

There is so much more to DU than just crazed politics and silly lounge threads. I am blessed to have seen the depth of many who have posted here and to have been touched by their kindness.



btw: Welcome to DU :hi:

[Cheney Killed Bambi]

32. Thanks

It's great to still get welcomes, even after 249 posts!

:hi:

[merh]

33. There are still several hundred DUers you haven't yet met

and until you reach one thousand, you are still a newbie. ;)

[SeattleGirl]

28. What you and SwampRat endured (and are still enduring)

because of Katrina -- and most especially from the gross negligence of the Bush Cabal -- is an excellent example of how this community pulls together to help its members.

And of course, the money raised for our dear Andy's surgery was one of the most phenomenal things I had ever witnessed in my life.

[merh]

29. That was the best of DU, wasn't it.

And that is when you came to be a part of our family. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

30. And I'm honored to be so.

:hug:

[merh]

34. Remember this

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/merh/1

I was inspired.

[SeattleGirl]

35. I do remember that.

It was a great piece. :hug:

[merh]

36. thank you

:hug:

[Swamp Rat]

41. .

:hug:

[merh]

42. .

:hug: I love you :loveya:

Are you as tired of being tired of trying as I am? :shrug:

[Horse with no Name]

43. Hey Merh!

:hug: Miss you.

[merh]

44. aww, thanks sweetie

miss you too :hug:

[bullwinkle428]

24. I was completely overwhelmed by the touching replies I received after

I posted about the experience I went through when I lost my cat following her bout with liver disease and pancreatitis...I start to feel emotional just thinking about their words even now.

[SeattleGirl]

25. Cyrano, thank you for this post.

I know exactly what you mean. I recently asked for emotional support regarding a situation I was in, and a meeting I had to have regarding work. And the outpouring was tremendous, some posts from DUers I know well, and other posts from DUers I did not recognize. And when the time came for my meeting, I was calm, and strong, and felt the caring of all the DUer's who had wished me well.

This community is amazing. And just because we may never see most of the people who post here live and in person, it doesn't take away from the impact we can have on each other, most especially in a positive way.

[uppityperson]

31. Very much so. Thank you for the post, thank you all for the support

[EFerrari]

37. Individually and collectively, we can be such a huge pain in the @ss.

But, there's something about DU that elicits the best of us, too.

Here's lookin' at you, kid.

DU

[merh]

38. Hey, but what fun we have

:hug:

[Binka]

45. Hey You!

DU helped keep me sane when Ben was nearly killed in Iraq and again last month when my beloved sister died. I am having different troubles today and I really can't talk about them because it hurts too much but if I did want to share I know I'd have many shoulders to cry on. Love you all!

[merh]

47. Aww sugar, count my shoulder among the ones that will take the

soaking if you want it, when you need it. My condolences on the passing of your sister. I didn't know, I haven't been as active on DU as I once was, too many things going at my end and my mindset is not stable as it once was. May your memories and love help you find peace and comfort. :hug:

How is Ben healing, how are things going for him? Is there a link on his progress that I can read? He is in my prayers and has been, as have all of our soldiers and vets. I have a friend in Iraq, another friend's son there and a client soon to leave on his 3 tour. Why won't this madness end?

As to your new troubles, I'll include them in my prayers and am here when/if you need to vent, to rant, to share.

Thank you and Mr. Binka for the support you have given me. Despite your pain you reached out and worried about me, that is very special indeed. God bless you and yours.

:grouphug: :loveya:

[HuskerDU]

39. I don't know any of you personally, but I feel like we are all

kindred spirits around here.

Freepers talk a lot about Jesus, but it is DUers who act like Him.

[Marnieworld]

40. yes yes yes

We are a new kind of friend. This is a community and I am so glad to be a part of it. I'm glad you're in it too Cyrano. I always like your posts. :hug: