Congratulations on your journey so far. Unlike you, I didn't get to experience the early stage of steemit but I can pick more than two points and lessons. Guess steemit has made the Canada dream come to pass.
A grateful heart is also blessed with more and you have also supported minnows who are trying to find their way up same way you said some whales did.
Joined steemit february this and steemit is changing my life and financial status. I am grateful to the community. Wish you more years of continuous progress and more goals to be achieved.