When I returned to Steemit after my hiatus, I came back to a very different world. After leaving behind some nice followers, a great community, and interested readers – I wasn't sure that I would come back to a place that felt like “home”.

I don't remember who first told me about Pimp Your Post Thursday, but I decided to go. Too terrified to speak, but too smart to miss out on an opportunity to make new connections, I went and sat quietly in the “corner”. Unbeknownst to me, the host of the show had a careful eye on all those who might be too timid to try PYPT. She gently coaxed me out of the corner, (had to ask me three times) and I finally obliged. Convincing myself that nothing could possibly go wrong, I worked up the nerve to pimp my post. It was going great! Then, as only Murphy and his troublesome law could predict, halfway through the “pimping', I broke the chat. When I returned, I laughed so hard and so long. The host welcomed me back, laughed along with me, and I don't think I've stopped laughing with her since then.

If you don't know the name of the host, let me give you a few hints. She's our “mom”, “sis”, our Fairy Godmother, mentor to many, and our Saint Shadows.

@shadowspub

I found my first home in her Steemit Ramble upon returning to Steemit. Every Thursday was like a little “Welcome Home” as soon as we'd hear the familiar sounds of @shadowspub starting up the show.

When I began Welcome Wagon, the thought of opening up a new server was daunting to me. Plus, it was kinda fun talking about the prospect of a secret channel on a host server. @shadowspub didn't hesitate to offer, and poor @artemisnorth went to work making our super secret channel, hidden in the heart of the Steemit Ramble.

So why do I say this is a Bittersweet Beginning?

Well, eventually chicks outgrow the nest! It's a great feeling to know that our wings are big enough to take us to new places – but there's a part of us that will miss being under @shadowspub's wing. Thankfully, you can always go home. PYPT is still twice every Thursday (or an all-day Thursday event if you count the aftershow), and our hostess is ever-present with a warm “welcome home”.

Thank you to my right hand (and left hand?) @bluefinstudios for creating our new home and making it look so official. If we can enjoy half the warmth that we had in the Ramble, I'll consider this new home a huge success! Thank you for everything, @shadowspub!

@dreemsteem, for the Welcome Wagon

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^{This gif created by the wonderfully artistic @liberty-minded}