Thank you to whoever you are

[Scott Hamilton]

I don't know who you are or why you did what you did, but I just want to say thank you. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't asked about the freebie or mentioned that my and Kelly's SA subscription had lapsed. I asked merely out of curiosity, and I mentioned the SA issue out of embarrassment, since someone running a fan site ought not to be admitting to such things, I'd think. If I'd had any idea that it would prompt you to do what you did, nice as it was, I'd have kept my mouth shut.

I'm not good at accepting things or at expressing gratitude. This is my attempt to do both.

Thank you. Very much.

[Altfish]

This makes me feel great - no, it wasn't me, but whoever you are, thanks for helping Scott out. In times like this Scott may not be the last to hit hard times.

[Scott Hamilton]

My times aren't "hard" by any stretch of the imagination, but thanks for the sentiment.

Yes, Kelly and the kids and I are facing some financial challenges--fairly significant ones, getting worse rather than better. But compared to the multiple families on our block who've lost their houses, the families at our kids' schools who are living in motel rooms or worse, and most recently, a friend who may have leukemia and already has a litany of other immune-related issues, I am very, very well off. I have a wonderful wife, great kids, the luxury of being home full time (at least for now), and a network of friends offline and on. In that regard, corny as it sounds, I am a rich man.

It's on that level that I was so profoundly humbled by the kind act directed toward me--along with reading that others have lost their SA accounts, too. It almost feels like I'm cheating, since the concept is supposed to be getting payback for financially supporting the artist, which I'm not technically doing right now. But I won't lie--it's very cool, and I was quite touched. I have been walking around all week dumbstruck by the anonymous act and trying to think of ways that I can pay it back karmically.

As I commented to Jesse earlier today, this is one heck of a community we belong to. I'm proud and happy to say that I've known people here who I count among my dearest friends for 15+ years in some cases. And the fact that we're drawn together through music we all love just makes it that much sweeter.

Here's to 15 more years--and beyond.


Altfish said:

This makes me feel great - no, it wasn't me, but whoever you are, thanks for helping Scott out. In times like this Scott may not be the last to hit hard times.

[firepile]

I want to hug this entire community.

[tim_G6]

Scott, you are rich and so are we all, simply by being part of this community. What you experienced is an example of the true ethos of 'community' (or maybe we are a tribe - Seth Godin, you have a lot to answer to!).

And no, neither was I responsible for the ray of sunlight in your home, because like you and some others, a subscription as SA is just a little extravagant under our current financial situation, but as soon as things change, we'll become full-blown card-carrying, badge-wearing members!

Lastly, keep wallowing in the luxury of being at home with the kids - I certainly am - as being a typical working dad in my former life meant very little time with them during the week and catch-up time on weekends competing with all those other things you have to cram into the weekend.

[greenbelly]

That's sweet! Scotty, you deserve it for having this site up, you should be an honorary SA, anyway!

[muser]

I agree with this. In my short time here it's obvious how much you've already volunteered.


greenbelly said:

That's sweet! Scotty, you deserve it for having this site up, you should be an honorary SA, anyway!

[HeatherO]

I'm lost as usual.