Goodbye SpanishDict.
Hello, or as I should say goodbye my friends,
It has been an amazing experience on this site the last couple of years. When I joined I had no intention on learning Spanish, nor did I really have intention on using the site for anything but attention. After my first few months here the mods and a few of the other members got me going in a better direction. A direction that led to great friendships and a great education. I will never forget seeing how hard the mods worked to keep this site running smoothly, nor the lessons that the other members have taught me. I will be on Spanish Help, but I want to say you are all wonderful people, and I won't ever forget a single one of you guys. Everyone on this site has been so welcoming, and have become like a second family to me. I hope to see you all on SpanishHelp.
with love to you all,
Michaila W.
4 Answers
I think I was one of the people who tried to answer some of your Nickleback lyrics questions at the start, and to steer you into doing the basics before the more complex. I appreciate your sharing your initial story, as a nice reminder to all that with kindness many people can be guided in a good direction- and clearly you are an example of someone who became a truly treasured and valuable member.
Unfortunately, I haven’t yet found a site that combines the learning with the camaraderie of this site, and it is the personal aspect that encouraged me to keep coming back and learning day after day. And by learning, what I mean is the interaction with real people, those that help me and those I try to help, and not the sterile resources that will remain, that can be found at many sites.
We all had our own reasons for being here, and will survive without the site, but the interactions and friendship will be sorely missed. As I said to someone who has been my friend almost since I started learning Spanish, perhaps it is time to change my approach and focus anyway. Still I will miss everyone and will never forget my experiences, good and bad, it has been a journey.
Your story shows that SD wasn't just about learning languages; it's about connecting. Your kindness, your care, your committment and your willingness to share has really made you part of the SD family. I'm so happy that you became inspired. 
With love, your friend, Sassette (Missy)
Yes, Sassette is so right, it's not just about learning languages....although that is a major part of what our Spanishdict community forum has been about ..it has also been about a certain something that is intangible and cannot be easily measured so is often overlooked and undervalued by outsiders looking in: relationships and connecting on many levels with the other people who regularly contribute to the life of a forum such as ours: intellectually as we learn languages together, emotionally as we share the trials and joys of our life, and spiritually as we learn to value and accept each other unconditionally and recognize the wonderful, God-given qualities in other people such as kindness, patience with the many mistakes we make in learning Spanish or English, loyalty and committment to the group etc....etc..!
In this environment, we have learnt to feel safe making mistakes, and a great many of us have forged friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime!
SpanishDict has therefore served an extremely useful purpose that perhaps was not invisaged by all when it was first created....the building of a vibrant community of people who would interact warmly and intentionally with one another and support each other in their learning!
