Thank you, each and everyone of you!

**fins_n_fur** · 08-13-2008, 08:45 PM

I do not, in any way, apologize for the length of this post

Long version:

Life is interesting in a good way sometimes in that you are sent a friend/teacher/mentor when you need one. These people are amazing in their knowledge and experience and their desire and willingness to share, help, and guide. When I first became interested in the hobby before I bought or did anything, I did a lot of my own research, but as a beginner you are overloaded with information and opinions that you are sometimes not sure what to do. Thankfully, I found this forum which as been a huge help and my rock-solid foundation for this hobby. Folks on here continue to amaze and astonish me with their patience--You have the desire to help and the willingness to share knowledge and experience, be it bluntly delivered or delivered with as much softness and kindness as possible, and to commiserate and empathize when things go horribly wrong. I am returning as much as I can, I hope, by repaying the kindness by posting and helping where I can, even though I am limited in knowledge and experience.

The mods and our administrator, William, do an amazing job behind the scenes to make this a safe, fun site to share experiences, to exchange ideas, to teach and mentor, and to learn. We have our moments when things get a bit (over)heated(the mods roll their collective eyes), but that comes from the passion of the hobby that is inspiring, endearing, and wonderfully, passionately human.

Special thanks to Lady Hobbs and Dave66 who helped me get through my fishless cycle when I didn't know what to do after several weeks of nothing happening except sighs, questions, and loads of frustration. Special thanks to Tolley and ILuvMyGoldBarb for answering pm's with advice or proactively making suggestions when needed. Special thanks to cocoa_pleco who has silently, but persistently, edging me on to continue to contribute as much as I can. Special thanks to doug_z for seeing myself through different eyes in respect to the hobby (dude, get that tank set-up LOL). Special thanks to those of you who take the time to photograph and put together step-by-step how to's or how you set something up. Special thanks to all of you who have shared fish-related, life experiences, and humor to make this forum a very special place.

There is one person, however, who shines out--my mermaid guardian angel

.

Tirelessly (I like to think and I'm sure there were some eye-rolling moments and sighs LOL), she guided, suggested, hinted, laughed and cried with me, listened to me rant about algae, and listened patiently when I was impatient. I was never told what to do exactly, but left to my own choices to learn from experience in the hobby. I am surprised how much I have learnt in the last nine months, but also somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of what is left to learn.

She has steered me in the right direction for a shop that has great deals on tanks and filters. She has steered me in the right direction for fish choices and the better shops locally. Her love of the hobby and her willingness to share is unsurpassed.

I am incredibly lucky to have found her or her finding me when I needed it most. Jess, I cannot thank you enough. To anyone reading this, if you have such a person or persons in your life, take the time to thank them and bless them for their help and guidance--they were sent to you for a reason.

Indeed, I am lucky and blessed not to only have found Jess, but to have found all of you--your passion, your dedication, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, your drive, and your passion continues to inspire me and warm my heart.

Thank you!

Short version: You all rock!

**Lady Hobbs** · 08-13-2008, 08:53 PM

What a lovely post. Thanks so much for the recognization you have shown to everyone here. Ahhh, one question......"what are collective eyes?" I only have two. Does that mean I collect them.

**fins_n_fur** · 08-13-2008, 09:10 PM

LOL You crack me up. I mean when, I imagine, you all roll your eyes together at the same time and say, "oh for crying out loud (expletives deleted), here we go".

Kind of like collective conscienceness in a weird, disturbed, but together (oooohhhhmmmmmm) kind of sense, you jive?

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