Update on the Kerry voter who lost her job Friday and a remarkable DUer:

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

I am not going to mention this DUers name, because I don't have permission to, but I think this particular light (deed) should not be hidden from view.

I wrote yesterday about the friend of mine who was laid off Friday with nary a bit of severance pay or even decent notice of such (thirty minutes before they were leaving for the day they were told it was their last day). She worked for them for 12 years. She and her husband both voted for Kerry.

Well a DUer sent me money to give to her. I withdrew it and delivered it to her today, along with a little note explaining the money was not from me but from an "angel Democrat" who wanted to help. She got tears in her eyes, hugged me over and over and was basically completely blown away. She didn't really understand at first, but I explained to her that Democrats should stick together and help each other, especially now, and that there is one anonymous one who wanted to help. I told her I was blown away by it, too. She even tried to give ME part of the money and I said no way, that's meant for you.

I found two open positions in the school district that are decent pay grade and she is qualified for. We went in her house and set her up on the district jobs system and then I am going over on Wednesday to write her resume. She's never had one done.

She called me after I got back home (went shopping between her house and getting home) and said that unexpected money and the help with finding a new job has worked wonders on keeping the depression at bay that she felt creeping in. She said she had to explain the thing about the money to her husband about five times, he was so suprised by it. She insisted I write down what she wanted to say and that I post it here:

"I just want to say to whoever did this you don't know what that means. I can't believe someone who doesn't even know me would care so much. I went inside and just cried. It's made me believe there is good in the world left. Thank you doesn't seem to cover it, but it's all I can say."

Then she thanked me some more and I told her to stop it.

Oh and we are planning a two-family garage sale now. There's some stuff we need to sell and she has spent the weekend going through closets and boxes and the attic getting stuff together for a yard sale. If we team up, there will be more stuff to attract customers.

Anyway, kudos to you, DUer who knows who they are. You are truly the best. I really hope I haven't upset you by telling the story here, that's why I kept your name out of it. But it had to be told. Generosity of spirit like that is just amazing.

And I tip my hat to you.

[NJ_Lib]

1. Sniff, sniff...

God bless this person... They help me believe there ARE some good people left in the world...

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

2. Well of course

there are! We are mostly called "Democrats." And you are one of them!

[shesemsmom]

6. ditto and

Amen. I've been in their spot. Not to long ago. It helps to know that people do care.

[The Doctor.]

3. This is an example of a true "faith based initiative"...

When we have faith in ouselves, we have faith in each other.

[Reverend_Smitty]

4. Bless that mystery DUer...

thats real moral values right there! I love hearing stories like that!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

7. Yeah you reminded me of something

while she and I were standing out in the drizzling rain and she had tears welling in her eyes and just looked shell-shocked, she looked up at me and said "well bush would just tell me to go to community college, but pay for it with what?" and I said "he wouldn't even tell you that. He'd probably tell you to go to hell." She laughed all of a sudden and said "God save us from that kind of 'compassion!'"

It was a funny moment. Through tears. The best kind, no?

[Reverend_Smitty]

11. I'm a firm believer that...

humor helps you get through anything...the day that I lose my sense of humor will be the day I'm officially defeated, and I'll never let that happen no matter how bleak things are looking

[antigone382]

5. Moonbeam, and our mystery DUer:

People like you are perfect examples of what it means to be a true Democrat. Thanks for all you do.

[jjenkins]

8. Kerry voter

This is an amaizing story. I feel so bad for her. If I had some extra money, I wood send it to. Did they fire because she voted for Kerry? That should be illgal.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

9. No, no.

She was laid off along with about 20 other people from the small business she had been working for. It was going under and they are trying to save on payroll, etc. She was a bookkeeper, so she thought it MIGHT happen, but she thought they had at least six more months, she never thought they'd do it right before the holidays.

Thanks for saying what you said, that's sweet.

[no name no slogan]

16. I've been there, and you are a saint

I had a very similar thing happen to me last January, the first day back to work after the holidays. I was told that I was being laid off to save the company $$. The company was down to only 14 people by then (compared to 200+ in June 2001, when I started), so the writing was on the wall.

Just having ONE person acknowledge that they care about you and your situation does wonders for you. And the fact that you've done so much for her as well is another amazing thing, too!

Thanks for sharing this story. It just goes to prove that some people really do give a damn about the rest of us!

[sandnsea]

10. That's just awesome

Those are values. Works. Whoever did this beautiful thing, well, you're beautiful.

[MuseRider]

12. Whoever you are

who did this, I want to say thank you to you as well. It made me feel really good to read after coming from GD and LBN. This is what we need to do, what we need to be about. We are going to need each other. I keep seeing things like this and it makes me think that even if we can't save this country in our lifetimes we can at least live well knowing that we can be a community. M_S, you are wonderful as well.

[miss_kitty]

13. As someone who has been a recipient of this type of largesse

you can't even KNOW how fine it feels. To know that someone you don't know is so moved by your personal story, they reach out to give you a hand up. Very lovely. A day-maker.

[thedailyshow]

14. that's an amazing and a wonderful story

[KoKo]

15. That's wonderful...and thank you for sharing this. DU'ers helping DU'ers

it's really good to hear that...and to know that in these terrible times that we have a "network" of folks out there who are the best of what we humans are about...and not the worst like the "evil" in charge.

:lovya: and lets have hope for all of us and your friend that the "recount" or some other crime the BFEE has committed will be exposed and we can go back to trying to be who we all are.

[Droopy]

17. What a heart warming story. It gave me chills.

To whoever did that for those people, my hat is off to you. You will be repayed in some seriously good karma.

[DiverDave]

18. Whoever you are.

You show what my understanding of "Charity" is.
This is truly a great story.
Karma, baby, you got lots of good karma now.

[LDS Jock]

19. awww.. now I need a kleenex

What a wonderful story. Anyone who has been in a tough spot can appreciate just what a difference such a gesture from a complete stranger would make in your life. Thank you mystery DUer for such a kind deed. Good karma will come back to you.

[NC_Nurse]

20. Incredible.

Thanks for sharing that story. We all need to hear about the amazing things that people will do to help each other. It keeps me going.

I loved your "frugal tips" thread too, MS, hats off to you for helping others and keeping the Dem values in your heart!

[Solitaire]

21. thank you Moonbeam_Starlight

for sharing that story. There are good people in the world and we have to believe that.

I live in New York City and have heard of similar stories and lived my own.

I lost my job in August of 2001, because the company moved out of NY and well, you know the rest of the story. I was out of work until October of 2003, except for a few freelance jobs here and there.

Another friend lost his job because it was outsourced to India.

Another friend lost her job in January of 2001 and she just now got a job. I'm so happy for her. I've been trying to help her, but it's been very difficult .

When Bush says he wants to send those out of work to school, I want to gag. Is he also going to pay their rent and pay for their food, while they do this? And what of those, like my friends, who have already gone to college and more?

It's all just bs and what's baffling is that many buy it. Obviously.

But, hearing this story today made me have just a tad more faith and it's nice to know that the DU'ers do stick together.

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. I needed to hear good new today. Thank you.

[yellowdogintexas]

23. Moonbeam, what city are you in?

I know you are in Texas, but where?

If you are near enough that I can get it to you I might find a thing or two for the yard sale.

I have lousy luck w/yard sales so usually donate to YWCA resale shop or my church's clothing mission, or Leukemia/Lymphoma society.

[flamingyouth]

24. Thanks for sharing this story

We have some truly amazing people on this board, and I've been on the receiving end of so much compassion and support here, I wouldn't even know how to begin to recount it all.

[Lady Effingbroke]

25. What a heartwarming story!

to you and the anonymous DUer!