I’ve now read your text three times, because I was constantly looking for something that, thanks to your well-known zest for life and inspiration, might somehow help clear the lump in my throat. Unfortunately, I haven’t found anything... You mercilessly lay bare the signs of the times before my eyes. And that hurts deeply, even though I see and feel them myself every day.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the ‘pequeños’, I’ve supported them, taught them – it was so important that they understood the system so that they, in turn, could uphold it. Oh, I fought so hard... But at some point – as you yourself realise – it just isn’t possible anymore. And I’m not going to list all the reasons that have changed, that have long since changed in the minds of the “pequeños” too. You know them yourself – we started in the same semester, we went through the same Steemit school. It no longer exists.
When the majority of the “pequeños” are fraudsters, and another group has forgotten or never even heard of the principles of honesty and integrity, even the best deep-sea pearl diver gives up. It’s too exhausting.

Oh, I could write so much more. I won’t, though, because it makes me sad. At least I’m not as bitter as the Gorilla was. He fought so hard, and all that remained was sheer disappointment. I miss him terribly. Here on the platform. Every now and then we message each other privately, but even those intervals are getting longer and longer. It was Steem that brought us together. A shared dream into which we poured more time and energy (and, in my case, money) than was good for us.
Sigh.

Well, I’m holding the fort. And if it comes down to ‘last (wo)man standing’ ;-)

Un abrazo desde la Alemania de principios de verano :-))