Man Chris, the one time I stay away for a few days, and the biggest and most important thread yet occurs.
Like most of the others have already said, it is a place for socializing and a place to go with personal disasters, when even family isn't enough to get one through it.
I have been here (except for a three month time off) for a long time, and I also, like some others, aren't big time posters, but do open up this forum at least every other day. Don't always post, but read and learn.
I am glad you reconsidered, as many, many people here wouldn't have a place to go. They could visit other groups, such as Facebook :-(, but they don't want to. This is a Forum they consider 'home'.
I, like many others, deeply appreciate your time put into this forum.
I am not into discussing religion and politics myself, as I am just not the type to read the long drawn out threads resulting from it. That is not to say that others shouldn't have the right to discuss it. Just my preference to stay clear most of the time on those two topics.
Besides Chris, where else could I keep track of where Ernie's boids are flying so I can shoot them down, Al's travels, Harold's and Dennis' sandwich needs; etc.

Guess all that is left is to again thank you Chris for some really nice and helpful forums, and to say Merry Christmas to you.
Jack (who is still waiting for Ernie's boids to come by).