I have been HONORED to share in another DUer family's Christmas

[Jo March]

I found this board in 2002 and lurked for a while. It was a lifesaver and I have learned more from the DUers here than I ever thought possible.

When Andy got sick, I saw the most amazing thing - DUers coming together to raise $50,000 for his surgery. No, the results were not what we were hoping and we lost Andy but the sense of community was, IMHO, solidified then.

Because of threads like this:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2941291#2968412

I've seen more coming together here at DU. I was able to help, in a small way, another DUer and her family for Christmas this year.

Am I bragging? No. My effort falls short of what I wish I could have done. I am posting to say that I am HONORED to be a part of another DUer's Christmas and to be able to come to this board and be a part of the DU family.

For that, I am a bit more grateful this year. I feel as though I've gained a new group of friends (who I hope will take us up on our offer to cook bbq for them if they come to our area!) and I've had my faith in humanity restored. * and his administration have beaten us down but we are far from out.

So, thank you to DU and DUers everywhere today. I wish all of you a very joyous holiday season - whatever holiday you are celebrating (and even if you aren't), we all deserve love and cheer and the knowledge that our "family" cares about us.

So, thank you for letting me be a part of this family. I love all of you, ya big lugs! :loveya: :grouphug:

[Kajsa]

1. Thank you, Arnheim!

Your post made my day.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
to you and your family.

:hug:

[Jo March]

6. Glad to hear it

I'm grateful for this wonderful community. It has helped out in so many ways.

To see DUers coming together to help DUers - well, it's made me tear up on more than one occasion.

:hug: right back atcha!

[angstlessk]

2. I know what you mean, and it is an HONOR to be in a position

to even be able to put one drop into a bucket of great cheer and hope that DUer's put together. Thank's for posting this..I just got chills thinking about how much DU has done for individuals and for this years Christmas Drive for Second Harvest.

:yourock: and a great big :hug: from me!

[Jo March]

7. I know! It's a big old Christmas miracle

from a group of folks who get accused of being at war with Christmas! :spray: Cracks me up every single time!

:hug: to you, honey! Have a great holiday!

[asjr]

3. True words Arnheim. DU has been a lifesaver for me.

And it is a family. I was unable to give this year because of my own circumstances, but have so much respect for those who gave.

[Jo March]

8. I was lucky to give just a small bit

I have been ill and it's been difficult for me and my family. I was lucky to have a few extra $$ that I could use to help others.

Sometimes, more is needed than just money. Good wishes, a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on are huge helps,too. Never underestimate what you can give, asjr. I've sometimes been in the position where I needed to reach out and have someone else say, "You are not alone." That is a big help,too, and we all can offer that.

:hug: to you, asjr!

[SharonRB]

14. I'm so sorry to hear you've been ill, arnheim

I hope you're doing better soon.

:hug:

[Jo March]

18. Thanks, hon! I appreciate that

I had to quit work in March. It's been rough.

But I'm feeling better! ;)

[SharonRB]

33. Glad to hear that...hope you continue to get better and better!

[ClassWarrior]

4. Mmmmm... bbq...

The happiest wishes of the season to you, arnheim. Thanks for being there for others.

:grouphug:

Never Give Up.

[Jo March]

5. You're invited, too!

Lexington-style BBQ - pit-cooked pork shoulder with all of the fixin's!

I'd have all of DU over if I could!!!

[tavalon]

9. No you wouldn't

We'd eat ya out of house and home! ;)

We're you one of the folks who got together in DC in Sept of 2005. I seem to think you were in that crazy van o' folk who met at a bar (can't remember which one) a day or two before the march. Ah, my memory is like a steel seive! Yeah, the thing with Andy solidified this board being not just a lifesaver but family, family I rarely see except in cyberland but more like family than my own brother (granted, my brother turned out to be a rabid rightwinger so the DUers wouldn't have to do much to beat him but, you know).

[SharonRB]

15. Arnheim was at the Hawk & Dove

the night before the march.

:hi: tavalon

Happy holidays to you and your family.

[Jo March]

21. Yep- I was exhausted after driving from Charlotte to DC

all by myself! I was proud that I got there but not quite sure what to do with myself once I got there! :rofl:

I was so glad to meet you, Sharon! It was a highlight of the whole trip!

Arnie

[SharonRB]

34. Awww, you're so sweet!

I enjoyed meeting you, too, after all those V.O.T.E. group phone calls we had. It's so nice to put a face to a voice.

[Jo March]

24. I was at the Hawk & Dove but didn't march with the rest of the DUers

I was with katinmn, lonestarnot and those guys. We had a blast! I was so tired at the end, though.

Ah, good times. Good times.

:loveya:

And we cook enough food for an army - the DU army, lol!~

[ClassWarrior]

10. Mmmmm... fixins...

Sounds like reason enough for a road trip. B-)

Have a wonderful holiday season, arnheim.

NGU.

[Jo March]

19. slaw, hushpuppies, chips, dip and fries

And a nice key lime pie or ice cream to finish it all up.

You are welcome any time, CW!

[LibraLiz1973]

11. Your awesome!!

I am blown away by how amazing DU is.
We're a great "family"!!

[Jo March]

22. We are! We really are!

We are lucky to have found this place.

You and I are both Libras! How cool is that??

[Wiley50]

31. That Makes Three of us

And if you've had your eyes open this last week

You know how much I love Liz

[merh]

12. DUers rawk!

They have helped me in more ways than I can say, they helped me save my Christmas last year and they are always around to prop me up when I need it.

Thanks arnheim for sharing yourself with the family and for sharing your story with us.

So glad you are a part of this family, so grateful for this family. :grouphug:

:loveya:


:kick: K&R

[SharonRB]

16. Hi, merh

Hope things are going a bit better for you these days.

:hi:

Have a wonderful holiday season.

[merh]

28. Things get better daily

I'm still in a fematrailer, but I haven't given up hope, I'm still plugging along.

Thanks for the good wishes and may you and yours have a wonderful holiday as well. :hug:

:hi:

[ClassWarrior]

17. Hey you...

Blessings of the season to you, my friend.

:toast:

NGU!

[merh]

29. Hello my most classic friend

it is so good to see you :hi:

All good wishes and blessings for you and you this holiday season and all year round. :hug:

NGU! :patriot:

[Jo March]

20. Merh! How the heck are ya?!?

I've been wondering about you! Can't forget my merh, now can I?

:yourock:

[merh]

30. (((( arnheim ))))

It is so good to see you! :hug:

Great thread but that is no surprise coming from a great DUer friend like you! :yourock:

[SharonRB]

13. Thanks, Arnheim

I echo your sentiments. We are all part of each other's extended families. You are among those I've had the pleasure to meet in person and I hope to see you in person again sometime.

I didn't find DU until November 9, 2004, but it has changed my life. I've become politically active for the first time in my life -- in my 50s -- and have made friends all over the country. I feel so much better informed than I've ever been and owe that to DU.

Have a wonderful holiday season, all you DUers. Rest up for 2007 and beyond -- this is the beginning of taking back our country and it will need all of our energy in the months ahead. We have won the latest battle in the mid-terms, but the war (literally and figuratively) is far from over and we have a lot of work left to do beginning after New Year's.

:hug:

[Wiley50]

23. Thank You For helping me, Arn

It means so much

GET BETTER!!!!1111!~!!111

[Jo March]

27. Hey, my mother used to live in Lebanon, TN

She now lives not too very far from there and works in Nashville. Small world!

You live close enough to drive over for bbq, you know!! ;)

[Wiley50]

32. Really?

Well, i don't know if i can trust my ole clunker with a trip to
Charlotte and back.
But i love NC BBQ
The Texas stuff would gag a maggot
Guess that's why GWB is still kickin'

[Swamp Rat]

25. Happy holidays!

[Jo March]

26. Swamp Rat, that is beautiful!

I love that one. It really took my breath away!

Happy Holidays to you and yours, Swampy! :hug:

[Gelliebeans]

35. Thank You

for helping get the word out. We can do so much good when we work together.

Have a wonderful holiday.

:grouphug: