Today is a special day. This is your day. A day just for you. A day to celebrate.
I looked up feast days of today.. and Neil, you might like this guy. His day is today also - he is Paul of Latros - a Byzantine hermit. Paul was, the son of an officer in the Byzantine army. He became a monk in a community on Mt. Olympus in Greece, with his brother, Basil. Paul later left the monastery and became a hermit on Mount Latros in Bithynia, Asia Minor. Soon he attracted followers, and Paul was compelled to organize them into a laura, or community. After twelve years, Paul went to live in a cave.
Do you know Nero was also born on this day - and Gustaf Eiffel (of the tower) - its the day of the bill of rights - as stated by Roosevelt. Its also the birthday of L. L. Zamenhof, the initiator of Esperanto. It is the most widely celebrated day in Esperanto culture. Some Esperanto-speakers, not wanting to over-celebrate the achievements of a single man, have suggested celebrating December 15th instead as Esperanto Literature Day. Thus they encourage Esperanto organizations that hold gatherings on that day to add a book review or poetry reading to the program or to announce the publication of a new book. On an individual level, one can buy a book or start reading a new book or in some way celebrate Esperanto literature on that day.
I dont know much about Esperanto, but I like the idea of continual growth in his day.
Really, Neil, more than these famous people, the 15 December is a day where I think of a guy who woke up and decided to face himself and his life and to change it. Its a day when the warrior in you was awoken and I"m privileged to know you.
I salute you.
Brigid
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