I just discovered that some anonymous benefactor bought we a lifetime subscription to DailyKos. I am overwhelmed. I want that person to know that I am very appreciative of their generosity.
I'd like to explain (briefly, I hope) how much this gift means to me. Jump with me if you will, please.
The last six weeks have been extremely difficult. My 91-year-old mom passed away on November 15. Given her age, it wasn't a huge surprise, however no matter how well we are prepared (or think we are) for the passing of a parent, it's still difficult and painful when they're not here with us any longer. She had been a resident of a long-term care facility since early May of this year. When it became impossible for her to stand for even a few seconds on her own, it was necessary for her to be where a mechanical lift could be used for getting her in and out of her wheelchair and really for any instance that would require her to stand. She adapted well to her new surroundings, thankfully, but my two older sisters and I knew that leaving her home of 44 years was still hard on her. She developed a urinary track infection in late October and never really recovered from that. The physician who cared for her and the nurses at the facility where she lived were working on getting her a blood transfusion for anemia when her condition quickly deteriorated and she passed away quickly and peacefully within a matter of just a few days.
My mother was in many ways my hero. This beautiful woman (blonde, blue-eyed Norwegian) was tiny but she had perseverance and a strong will, and no matter what life threw at her, she handled it. Her own mother died when she was 5; she was sent to live with relatives by her father because he farmed and he didn't think it was good to have a little girl with three older brothers and no mother in her life. The first set of relatives decided they didn't want her after a year(!) but thankfully, another uncle and aunt stepped in and raised her. My mom sacrificed a lot for my sisters and me and I know I can never thank her enough for that. My mother and dad together raised my sisters and me to be who and what we each are today. They did their best to instill values in us that would guide us through our lives and I am grateful for parents who valued things like Justice and Truth and Freedom and Integrity and Courage. Life handed my mom tough things---like depression and eventually bi-polar disorder, but she never gave up, never quit, and always loved each of us, supported us, and made us feel special. My mom (and dad) were very proud of us----she used to pass on things he said to her about us because he wasn't the kind of person to just hand out compliments personally. I hope they know how much I love both of them.
So there has been sadness these past six weeks and also an incredible amount of busyness as my sisters and I work to tie up the loose ends of mom's estate. Couple that with Thanksgiving and Christmas . . . . . and it's been exhausting at times.
And then came a couple of things that made me feel like I had a very heavy weight added on to my back. Specifically, the water heater in our home developed a leak---which, if you own a home, you know that means you have to replace that heater or you risk a basement full of water. Mr. 3g and I did it----to the tune of $1,275. OW. Within a week that was followed by the hard drive on my Dell laptop blowing up and requiring that a new computer be purchased. OW, again. I wanted so badly to sign up for a lifetime subscription but just didn't even want to bring it up and had resigned myself to getting along without it.
So, to whoever you are, Anonymous Benefactor, you have brightened my day and each day I log on to DK, I will never forget that you made it possible for me to have this lifetime subscription. Thank you so very much for your kindness and generosity.