Thank you, everybody.
I was looking at Heidita's "Happy New Year" thread (and, by the way, a happy new year to all of you
), and one thing that she said there struck me particularly.
Many people come and go on a forum
That got me thinking about the number of people that, just in my short time here, have either stopped contributing, or who seem to drop by less and less often. Really helpful, knowledgeable people who were a real asset to the forum.
And I wondered if, perhaps, when we are lucky enough to encounter such a person, we tend to ask too much of them? We learn so much from their responses to questions, but perhaps we don't always consider how much time they have to spend formulating and posting their answers. We eat into their recreation time, and it is not surprising that, after a while, some of them begin to feel that they would really like that part of their life back.
I've learned so much from reading their answers to other people's questions, but I have never acknowledged that to them. So now, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the people, past and present, who have given up so much of their time to help all of us.
I am making yet another New Year's resolution - to try to show my appreciation more in the future. Perhaps a little more appreciation may encourange them to stay around. 
20 Answers
Tienes toda la razón, Sheila. Sin la ayuda de los nativos y los que hablan bien el español, es como si los ciegos condujeran a los ciegos. Tal vez SpanishDict.com debe mejorar sus lecciones en inglés para atraer más hispanohablantes al foro.
De todos modos les doy las gracias a todos que nos han ayudado. He aprendido muchísimo desde que empecé a utilizar el foro.
I have fairly recently joined this site and it is helping me tremendously. I believe your "words from the heart" are an inspiration to others similar to the people you referenced in your post. Keep up the good work! You have my vote for your post!
Sheila, thank you for a very thoughtful and appropriate post. There are so many here that I really appreciate, and you are one of them. Your amazingly funny wit on the picture of the day gives me the giggles.
I second your motion! Thanks for all the help friends.
I don't think we as learners have made too many demands on them. I think they realized that they had better things to do and left. I miss Lazurus though, his encycolpedic knowledge of Spanish grammar was helpful even if he came across as little stingy.
Thank you Sheila for the wonderful reminder! To me you are one of those people whom you said should be appreciated and thanked.
You are
a real asset to the forum
also.
And maybe some of the people that 'dropped' out of sight are looking in from the outside and are glad to see that they were appreciated.
I've been wondering if we could make an extra-special effort to be certain to welcome newcomers? Even the kids who ask for help with homework.
Sure, some of their questions are odd, but some of mine were, too.
But I clearly recall the kind responses my first question received and they encouraged me to return.
A very Happy New Year to everybody who has written here and to eveverybody who is kind enough to read the thread too.
I am glad we are still achieving to keep the forum friendly and loving, not so easy sometimes, but so what, people like you make it up to us.
Oh, and has anybody seen my Eddy? 
I think the Spanishdict "family" just got a little bit warmer. Está bien.
So many people on this forum have helped me. Shedding light on an obscure meaning, Helping me with agreement, and suggestions of all types.. I never felt talked down to or preached at. It's like my old fifth grade teacher Ms Connolly is secretly doing all the replies for the forum. I loved Ms Connolly, she gave me a thirst for knowledge. That was fifty years ago. Thanks to everyone. Especially to Sheila-Foste who started the thread.
What a wonderful post! You are also a great asset to this forum...Gracias y Feliz Año!
Thanks for a good post and I sign my name to the bottom too. I hope people who help a lot see some of the thanks implied with continued questions and trust in their input!
All I can say is "ditto."
Sheila, eres una amiga bondadosa de nosotros. Queremos ir contigo
¡Feliz Año Nuevo to you too Sheila!
I agree with you. There are quite a few people who have come and gone. These were people who taught me a lot and who made me laugh every day. I think once in awhile it may be due to lack of appreciation. Sometimes, I think it may just be that circumstances in their lives have changed or other similar reasons.
But I think showing appreciation for everyone is a worthwhile goal that we should strive to improve upon this year. Words have enormous power for good and evil. Let's choose to use them for good!!
