This fundraiser exceeded even my most optimistic expectations. You're an amazing bunch of people and I don't even know what to say.
I just got off the phone with Kale, and he is absolutely floored. We agreed that shutting the fundraiser down at this point is the right thing to do. He will certainly be able to use what's been raised in the coming months to help support his family, but the immediate need has been more than satisfied.
Kale wanted me to share this message with you:
<<Friends,
I am overwhelmed by your outpouring of generosity to me and my family. I'm usually quite quick with words, as many of you know. In person, on Twitter, or even on YouTube, I can talk. But when I saw that this campaign had been set up for me, I was broken, teary, silent. You see, yesterday was one of the hard days. I was warming up the one talk no father wants to give his wife and children: "we are not going to really have a Christmas this year." These are bitter formulations.
I shared this with a few close friends, for solidarity, and girded myself for it. But before I made it home from work, I got a notification for the campaign. It was hard to see it, frankly, but I was resigned to anything that might help. I was desperate. And wow.
Thank you all for your confidence and love. It means as much spiritually to me as it does materially. You have given me a gift beyond money. My family will celebrate this season with joy and thanksgiving. "Let every heart prepare Him room" as the carol goes. You have done us so well, and prepared room for him in our hearts this Christmas. Peace be with you all, and may the Lord revisit your generosity with blessings tenfold.
Seems a mistake to shut it down. Stay humble. The humanities is a harsh mistress; sometimes a siren calling your ship onto the rocks. The future is for them is outside existing instutiions, maybe digital. A new way needs to be found to transmit the wisdom.
Those kinds of friends are a blessing. Ever since I was a child, I've been kind of a solo flyer and hold humanity at large at arm's length. But every now and then, a few souls make it through my defenses. I've got a few who are truly close. My Kale is Andy, a fellow deep Christian and Star Trek fan. He came to me in life when I had gone off to college and struggled to find people and a church. Andy helped with both. He knew me when I was far more liberal and a much shallower Christian. Yet through our common bonds, including knowing my Dad, we connected. He lives in Austin now, and is a bit of a player in state politics. He's married, has kids, yet our friendship remains tight. Those kinds of friends are rare. Gifts from God. Treasure them.
Stories like this are so wonderful. I’ve subscribed to Kale’s Substack and look forward to the book that I know will be written with your friendly assistance.
Thanks everybody for your good wishes and kind comments. I've been coasting all morning on the goodness people have shown towards Kale and his family in this crisis.
When I was a kid back in the 1950s my parents hid much of what was happening financially from me and my brother and sister. Like Rod, we never lacked for anything essential, though I know now there were times when things got tough. In particular, my parents, who hated being in debt, actually took out a loan one Christmas just to ensure each of us kids got a present. Think of my donation as a modest repayment to my Mom and Dad.
I strikes me that even though he’s going through a crisis of faith & considers himself an agnostic at this point, Steve Skojec is following Christ & acting more as a Christian should than the tradbros who constantly slag him on X & threaten him with damnation. He’s a good man & intellectually honest. I hope he finds God again. Blessings on him & Mr. Zelden & their families!
This story of Kale, Rod's testimony of who he is and the beautiful outpouring of kindness to him and his family, reminds me of something I read yesterday: "Spiritual power is to will the good of others, and to wish to convey to them as far as possible what is with us." Wow, does the truth of that shine brightly in this situation.
May this unexpected generosity bear dynamic fruit in Kale's world, empower his own gift for spiritual outreach. 🙏🏻💝
I’m so happy to see such generosity towards Kale. I really appreciate his writing and insights, although I have not met him, and he is incredibly gracious. I don’t have much to spare myself, but every bit helps.
Rod, thanks for this. A great reflection on what it means to be a father, and a friend. I subscribed to Kale's Substack, and I hope he gets an influx of new subscribers.
UPDATE: Just saw this on the fundraiser page:
[From Steve Skojec:] Hi guys,
This fundraiser exceeded even my most optimistic expectations. You're an amazing bunch of people and I don't even know what to say.
I just got off the phone with Kale, and he is absolutely floored. We agreed that shutting the fundraiser down at this point is the right thing to do. He will certainly be able to use what's been raised in the coming months to help support his family, but the immediate need has been more than satisfied.
Kale wanted me to share this message with you:
<<Friends,
I am overwhelmed by your outpouring of generosity to me and my family. I'm usually quite quick with words, as many of you know. In person, on Twitter, or even on YouTube, I can talk. But when I saw that this campaign had been set up for me, I was broken, teary, silent. You see, yesterday was one of the hard days. I was warming up the one talk no father wants to give his wife and children: "we are not going to really have a Christmas this year." These are bitter formulations.
I shared this with a few close friends, for solidarity, and girded myself for it. But before I made it home from work, I got a notification for the campaign. It was hard to see it, frankly, but I was resigned to anything that might help. I was desperate. And wow.
Thank you all for your confidence and love. It means as much spiritually to me as it does materially. You have given me a gift beyond money. My family will celebrate this season with joy and thanksgiving. "Let every heart prepare Him room" as the carol goes. You have done us so well, and prepared room for him in our hearts this Christmas. Peace be with you all, and may the Lord revisit your generosity with blessings tenfold.
Sincerely,
Kale>>
Amen.
Seems a mistake to shut it down. Stay humble. The humanities is a harsh mistress; sometimes a siren calling your ship onto the rocks. The future is for them is outside existing instutiions, maybe digital. A new way needs to be found to transmit the wisdom.
Those kinds of friends are a blessing. Ever since I was a child, I've been kind of a solo flyer and hold humanity at large at arm's length. But every now and then, a few souls make it through my defenses. I've got a few who are truly close. My Kale is Andy, a fellow deep Christian and Star Trek fan. He came to me in life when I had gone off to college and struggled to find people and a church. Andy helped with both. He knew me when I was far more liberal and a much shallower Christian. Yet through our common bonds, including knowing my Dad, we connected. He lives in Austin now, and is a bit of a player in state politics. He's married, has kids, yet our friendship remains tight. Those kinds of friends are rare. Gifts from God. Treasure them.
Well said, Rod. Happy to donate a few bucks. And anyone who can wear a bowtie like that has to be a good egg.
What a lovely Christmas story. Sending the best wishes to Kale and his family. May he succeed in his endeavours.
We tend to forget, but most people have really kind hearts.
Beneath the armour, yes.
Stories like this are so wonderful. I’ve subscribed to Kale’s Substack and look forward to the book that I know will be written with your friendly assistance.
Thanks everybody for your good wishes and kind comments. I've been coasting all morning on the goodness people have shown towards Kale and his family in this crisis.
This post itself is a wonderful witness of friendship. God bless Steve, God bless Rod, and God bless Kale!
Fabulous post. Just what the doctor ordered for real Christmas spirit. Thanks, Rod, again.
Great end to the story!
“No man is a failure who has friends”
When I was a kid back in the 1950s my parents hid much of what was happening financially from me and my brother and sister. Like Rod, we never lacked for anything essential, though I know now there were times when things got tough. In particular, my parents, who hated being in debt, actually took out a loan one Christmas just to ensure each of us kids got a present. Think of my donation as a modest repayment to my Mom and Dad.
I strikes me that even though he’s going through a crisis of faith & considers himself an agnostic at this point, Steve Skojec is following Christ & acting more as a Christian should than the tradbros who constantly slag him on X & threaten him with damnation. He’s a good man & intellectually honest. I hope he finds God again. Blessings on him & Mr. Zelden & their families!
This story of Kale, Rod's testimony of who he is and the beautiful outpouring of kindness to him and his family, reminds me of something I read yesterday: "Spiritual power is to will the good of others, and to wish to convey to them as far as possible what is with us." Wow, does the truth of that shine brightly in this situation.
May this unexpected generosity bear dynamic fruit in Kale's world, empower his own gift for spiritual outreach. 🙏🏻💝
I’m so happy to see such generosity towards Kale. I really appreciate his writing and insights, although I have not met him, and he is incredibly gracious. I don’t have much to spare myself, but every bit helps.
Rod, thanks for this. A great reflection on what it means to be a father, and a friend. I subscribed to Kale's Substack, and I hope he gets an influx of new subscribers.