Looks like I picked the wrong day to hit 30,000 posts.
My original title for this post was "30,000 posts and 20+ years of change. I love you, DU community.” Then I opened my news. Market is crashing, Pope Francis died. So my timing is brilliant as always.
My account says I’ve been here since the eve of Christmas Eve, 2004. I know I had an account prior to that but I moved homes, had a computer that died and forgot my username or password, maybe both. I don’t recall exactly, it was a long time ago. I’m pausing for a moment today to recognize all that time and space, the changes in myself, my personal world, and the world we all share. Y’all, it’s a LOT.
Like most of us, I’m having all the emotions. I get scared. I worry most of all for my granddaughter, and I wonder is this the brief window available where I should be getting our family established in a new country, for all our futures but especially for her? After all, I exist because my ancestors survived, many of them by fleeing. My indigenous ancestors fled the Spanish invasion of the Oxaca region. My Jewish ancestors fled the pogroms of 19th century Europe and my Irish ancestors the famines of the 1840’s. I worry I will dither too long and miss the window and my grandaughter will suffer for it.
Through all of the changes in my own life and our political landscape,, I have found so much in DU. Solace, education, company, family, hope. It’s all here. We have professionals with experience in every field from medical doctors to oceanography to long-haul trucking. We are a wildly diverse (if somewhat older skewed) community of persons bonded over the simple idea that human beings should be treated well and with respect, and that as a society we should do things that further that idea as we are able. You are all precious, unique and wonderful people. I love you DU community. Thanks for all you do. Here’s to the next 30,000.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Please, never change your username. I’ve always loved it. Still miss the dancing tighty-whiteys
someone exclaiming in sharp surprise “SHE’S AWAKE.”
Right back out. Much easier than this mess, trust me! 
I missed a couple of those milestones; just spaced out on them.
But, you didn't! 
...if I'm sure it will come true, I'll post 600 a day with just a "." for title and text. 
We are all better off because we have each other--this community is golden.
No, not this:
I spent it on computer help. I'm just that kind of guy!
Congrats. That's an awesome number.
One number is just as good as any other number - I tell myself upon opening my savings account. 
There aren't many of us from Big Sky Country on this board and I hold you and the rest of our tiny cohort in high esteem. Not to mention (but I will) your kindness and outreach to me during the dark days of Covid. I'll never forget it.
(Checks own post total…) Oh, never mind — pretty impressive!
Congrats and thanks for all the posts. I’ve enjoyed your contributions over the years.
I may not escape death, but I’m hoping to temporarily redirect it.
don’t know what I would have done without the refuge of this community. We joined the same year .
user name. That and hiking have been my passions all my life and I’ll be 73 soon. 
.
We need each other more than ever in these dark and trying times. I'm glad you're here and look forward to more posts from you.
I enjoyed your post, especially the last paragraph about DU. For a long time, I've wanted to write an essay about how much i like DU and how much this site means to me, but you said it much more eloquently than I ever could.
Here's to the next 30,000, indeed!
Strong emotions.
Happy tears.
True and deep camaraderie.
Congratulations, Maru Kitteh!!!!
I hope to be there someday.
🦋 wordstroken
Kicking this to give you the happy dance (and lots of hope that we can make it through this)!
