Here at casa boran, we celebrate Hanukah. There is the usual 8 nights of lighting of the Hanukah menorah, a sight that has delighted the now 13 year old boran2 boy for many years. Perhaps his delight is not exactly because of the candles, it just might be the small gifts that immediately follow. Hmm.
Our tradition of giving him a small gift each of the 8 nights began some time ago. It's hard to remember when exactly. But each year we've enjoyed seeing him tear open each of his gifts, some of them a bit unusual. (One year he tore open the paper to find the ammonite fossil that he had admired a few weeks earlier on our family vacation in Utah. It's still on the shelf amongst the other members of his rock collection.)
Once upon a time, when it was just the two of us, madame boran and I would exchange holiday gifts. With the passage of time, and the birth of the our son, that practice ceased. However, unexpectedly, this year I actually did receive a wonderful gift.
Upon opening my e-mail yesterday, I was informed that an anonymous individual had given me a lifetime subscription to dkos. It was a lovely surprise. Hopefully he/she is reading this post. I wish to express my gratitude for this kindness. Thank you so much!
I'm (gladly) going to pay it forward completely. I've previously made a couple of small donations via paypal to Nurse Kelley toward purchase of gift subscriptions for needy kossacks. I'll get the remaining amount together shortly and pass it on. (Nurse Kelley is having shoulder surgery today. Good thoughts to her!) It really is a great thing to do if you can.