Sitting here

... reminiscing over the past almost 3 years, laughing... thinking "Come on, writer!!! Write! Tell a story that does these years justice. Share memories that will get everyone laughing. Express thanks. Send love. Say goodbye."

But... I can't. 🤯 No post can do it justice.

We live in a time where we think moments need to be captured on our cameras, posted online, or evaluated by others - in order to matter. Have you ever been witnessing some amazing spectacle, and your phone dies?! Gah! No more ability to record it! After a few frustrating seconds, you're forced to just soak it in and memorize each detail with your grey matter. 🧐 You will never be able to show anyone else in the world what you're seeing - you can only enjoy it for you, and marinate in it.

So, I guess exactly what these years meant to me - will have to stay inside my head. All I can say is..

Thank you for impacting my life.

I had a list of Steemian names, and I was going to write words to honor each of you, and then I thought... They already know 💞 I've told them all along the way.

Because I am stubborn 😎

and usually find a way around the system - especially when it's being forced on me, I've decided to keep the best part of steemit and toss the garbage.

So while I won't be publishing posts (not really that big of a deal)- I will be commenting on the posts of the community that I have fallen in love with.

While I won't be giving upvotes (and taking half back for myself on the stupidest, greediest plan ever new proposal), I will be giving 100% of my appreciation as tips from @tipu. (YAY @cardboard - Thank you for giving us the option of dropping tips from our tip jar!!! hehehe Who knew it would change my Steem experience from the FIRST day I got one until now and continuing! )

Why tips? Because I think supporting the community is the best way to support steem. (and make no mistake about it - I still love the concept of steem, I just hate the greed that has overshadowed the potential.) Truly supporting someone should be about supporting THEM - not what you can earn off of them.

One final thought? Find a newbie you connect with. Take them under your wing, and TRULY support them. Then, teach them how to do the same thing. It might not matter to all of steemit, but it will matter to that one.

^{Precious necklace from my precious daughter}