Hard to know how to find a new way of thanking you, Michael...
But thank you, truly.  I count many editors here as friends, but I feel as though our association has an added depth to it (perhaps because we've met in person...perhaps because we so often find each other saying what we would have said)  it's hard to tell you how glad I am to have your respect and your encouragement.  It's been a good thing to take a couple of months off and breathe the outside air a bit, and it's been especially nice (forgive my selfishness, if you will) to know that I can do that and trust that you (and a few other trusted souls) will fight the fires I had run out of energy to do anything about.  You really do exceptional work.  If someday there is a book that seeks to explain Wikipedia's exceptional growth, and remarkable stability in light of the ebb and flow of editors, let it reserve at least one chapter for you.

Thanks also for dealing with Wik and Quagga (I swear, I'm back one day and I stumble into that edit war...I almost screamed and logged out...of all the people I did _not_ want to deal with...) and the Shnorrer piece.  I've tried to get a dialogue going on the article's talk page, because clearly there isn't a consensus about exactly how the article should be left.  Maybe you'll join me there when you have time.

Finally, a long time ago you emailed me an invitation, which I very ungraciously never replied to.  I am very sorry about that.  It came, of course, at the wrong time of year for me, given the twin pressures of work and Wikistress, but it was wrong of me not to at least acknowledge your note, and I hope you will forgive the offense.  If you would like to reopen the invite, please email me and let me know.

Lastly...I'd like to give you a barnstar (I gave UC one because I realized how much I admire and rely on him for the work he does), but I just can't.  Not because you're undeserving (good heavens, no), but because I feel as though it would be a little too much like you receiving an award simply for being a good friend, and I'd rather not tarnish the award that way.  I don't know if I'll always feel this way, but I do right now, and I thought I would let you know because, well, that seemed like the best thing to do.  I don't know what I would do around here if not for your support  I likely wouldn't still be editing, or at least my vacation would be lasting a bit longer.  Thank you again (and always) for that, and for everything else.  Best regards,