I was going about my business, looking through my Bloglovin’ feed, when I saw the title of a dear blogging friends’ post:
“Goodbye Bloggyland, Sorry For All The Broken Links.”
My throat went to my stomach and back again.
I clicked on the post only to discover that her blog was already gone. Just like that. Everything that I have read, everything that she has written, is gone.
I immediately went to her Facebook page only to discover that it was gone as well.
Sadness overwhelmed me.
I have been following this blogging friend for almost 1 1/2 years. Her writing ranged from humorous, to outright tears-in-my-eyes-emotional. We visited each other regularly and I enjoyed getting to know her.
I found myself grieved as I stalked every social media site trying to find her, just so I could say goodbye. Alas, I had no luck. It was then that I began to cry.
Yes, dear friends, I began to cry.
This is when it really occurred to me… blogging isn’t just a hobby. It’s an emotional, heart-wrenching, soul-expanding, love-outpouring, relationship-building journey.
Blogging is a heart-wrenching, soul-expanding, love-outpouring, relationship-building journey. Click To Tweet
My dear friends, when I visit you, I am there in your home:
- I’m listening to you tell me about your day.
- I’m watching as you prepare a recipe for me.
- I laugh at the humorous experiences you share with me.
- I cry as I read about your pains.
- I marvel at your wisdom as you minister to me.
This blogging journey isn’t just a hobby, it’s a life changing journey. It’s an adventure in which I get to travel the world, meet many people, and learn extraordinary things.
I cherish our time together… whether it’s here or in your corner of the internet. I delight in our friendship. Yes, I will boldly call it friendship because even if you don’t feel the same way, I care about every single one of you.
In some way, whether big or small, you’ve impacted my life:
- Perhaps when you told me about your day, it helped me to approach my day with grace and thankfulness.
- Maybe the recipe you shared has now become a family favourite.
- Perhaps the laughter that I experienced while visiting your blog brightened my day, which in turn brightened someone else’s day.
- Perhaps the pains that you shared helped me get through challenging times of my own.
- Maybe your ministry encouraged me to reach out to someone else.
I guess what I’m saying here is… we all have an impact. Even if you’re reading this and you’re not a blogger, every single thing you say and do has an impact on somebody.
So before you close your laptop or scroll to the next post on your phone, take a minute to think about the impact you have… and allow the enormity of that thought sink in for a moment.
With blessings and love…
PS – Jean if you’re reading this, I love you my friend. You are hilarious, beautiful, wise, and apparently also a ninja?! You had a tremendous impact on me and I will cherish all your words and the stories you shared. I want say goodbye. I wish you all the best… and please if you can, stop in, say hi, and let me know how you’re doing.
xoxo
SHARE WITH OTHERS
As I was reading this I was struck by the fact that I feel the same way! I have a few blogs that I have followed for quite a while and I feel like these women are my friends. If one of them suddenly disappeared I’m sure that I would feel loss just as you have.
I hope Jean does read your post and that you get a chance to say good-bye.
It amazes me at how I’ve been so touched and impacted by the relationships that have developed through blogging. It’s truly beautiful.
I hope Jean reads this too.
Thanks for visiting Cristi.
What a well written post. So true – we are more then just people behind a blog, it’s more then just stopping by and reading others – we are a community, we are friends! thankful for you and your blog!!!
Awww, thanks Caroline. I value our friendship and feel so blessed that God brought us together.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
It’s amazing how much a writer (blog or otherwise) can affect you. I am sorry that you didn’t get to say good bye. I have a few blogs that, when and if, they disappear, I will probably cry.
I was shocked at how impacted I was by this. I’ve made so many connections and I cherish every single person I’ve encountered. The impact these relationships have had are great! Take you for example… your ideas are brilliant and inspiring! They make me imagine more for my girls. I’m so thankful for that!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Speaking of bringing tears to my eyes… What a sweet post! I think I needed this today :) I started my blog more to share with family and friends who are interested in our homeschool journey, (rather than annoying everyone on my personal Facebook page who did not want to know about our homeschool). I never dreamed it would become what it has today! I never dreamed I would make so many amazing friends, including you :) (I had no idea what this post was about, but I saw that it was written by you so I had to check it out.) I love how you said that blogging is not just a hobby, but a life-changing journey! Thank you for sharing! I hope your blog friend see this!
Isn’t it amazing the connections we’ve made?! As a fellow homeschooling mom, I have come to your blog time after time and have been inspired by the activities you do with your kids. To think, not only do I belong to a regional homeschool community but I have people like you in my worldwide homeschool community! What a blessing!
Thank you for your friendship Missy and for sharing your thoughts on this as well.
xoxo
I had to tweet that. It sums up my emotions perfectly and I can imagine how you feel right now. I see all the bloggers I follow as friends, even if I have never met them face to face. My experiences have shown me that sometimes even people who you met online can be better friends than those who lived right across the street from you.
Isn’t it amazing how deep our connections run?! It’s a beautiful gift that I refuse to take for granted.
Thank you for visiting (and for sharing).
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
I’m sorry you didn’t get to say good bye. Right now I am feeling the same way, I just had this experience this week with a dear blogging friend. I told my husband I feel like a friendship was cut. It hurts.
I was astounded at how impacted I was by this. That’s crazy that you just went through something similar! I feel some comfort in knowing you can identify.
Thank you for sharing Jen (and for being such a lovely blogging friend). I truly appreciate you.
Have a great day.
xoxo
It’s so true! When I think about the relationships and contacts that blogging has brought me I’m blown away. Thanks for sharing and I hope jean reads this.
Thank you Melissa. This is something I never expected when I first started blogging almost four years ago.
What an amazing journey and I’m thankful for every single connection and interaction.
Wishing you a lovely day.
I hope your blogging friend does see your post! I really do look forward to reading the posts of my blogging friends and would miss them if they stopped, too!
Thanks Marie. This is something I would have never expected when I started this blogging journey. These connections that I’ve made run so deep.
I hope she sees this post too.
Wishing you a lovely day.
The blogging community has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. I too have found several blogs I really enjoy reading and feel like I’ve been drawn into someone else’s home, but then they disappear from the internet world. It is sad. I wonder how they’re doing; I wonder if they’re okay as I am now aware of the struggles they shared before their departure. I see many people trash social media and blogs because it gives people a supposed “picture perfect” view into moments of their life that supposedly isn’t “reality”, but I’m not really sure what people they are following because I feel that the people I follow rather through the blogging community or social media are very honest about their struggles and bad days. And why does sharing our highlights have to be such a bad thing? Love this post though. Going to share it.
Angela @ Time with A & N
Last week I wrote about people’s “picture perfect” posts. I basically said that keeping it real is a 2-way street and that people who read blogs or participate in social media should do so with open hearts AND objectivity. Nothing is wrong with highlights – and bloggers, or people who use Instagram or Facebook should not be condemned for being any less “real” just because they share the positive parts of their life. Less judgement and more love. If you wish to check out that post, you can find it here: https://thedeliberatemom.com/keeping-real/
Thanks so much for sharing. These connections we make are beautiful treasures, that’s for sure.
Wishing you a lovely day Angela.
xoxo
AW!!!!!! I haven’t had to mourn a blogger yet so I cant even imagine the poof-they’re gone moment. I don’t think that would fare me well though, goodbyes are very important to me. There’s one blogger that didn’t blog for about a month and I began cyber stalking to see if she was okay…I get worried! She came returned and it turned out that she was in between moving and didn’t have internet for a while. Oops! Lol I hope Jean sees your post! I definitely consider you a friend Jennifer and quite frankly, you’re stuck with me! Lol
I hope Jean sees my post too. I was taken aback at how overwhelmed and grieved I felt, as goodbyes are very important to me too.
You’re a dear friend Rebecca… and I treasure our friendship and how our blogs connected us in this great big world. I’m definitely thankful to have you in my life!
Wishing you a fabulous day.
xoxo
I think we’re talking about the same person. I was shocked, to be honest. I had just met her at a conference. Suddenly no blog or Instagram or FB page. We’re not FB friends anymore, either.
I hope everything is ok and she just realized it wasn’t for her anymore.
This also happened with a previous blogger I really loved. I’ve kept up with her and everything is great there.
I am so tweeting you here! I think you probably know that I feel the same way about blogging that you do.
I just wish I could say goodbye. Everyone has an impact – and I wanted her to know how much I appreciated having her in my life (no matter how short that time was).
I treasure everyone I connect with. Take you for instance… by visiting your blog I see the love and light of life captured through your photographs. It helps me look for the beauty in all the things. I treasure your comments as they are always written with thought and encouragement. The fact that you encourage my daughter on her photography blog speaks volumes of your precious heart. You are a gem Tamara.
Thanks for tweeting and for sharing in this journey.
xoxo
I agree! Maybe your blogging friend just took a break. I did that before with my old blog. Things happened in my life and I just needed to cut the cord. I eventually opened the old blog back up, and came around on a new blog. But, for 8 months I just needed to be DONE. Yes, bloggers share a peek into their life, but you don’t see everything. There is often things going on behind closed doors that they can’t or don’t want to share. Illnesses, deaths, home problems, family issues, we don’t know everything about our favorite bloggers (rightly so). I am hoping your bloggy friend sees this post. It is a beautiful reminder that we do all make a difference. I am sure it would make her smile :)
We all make a difference and I cherish the interactions and relationships that have come out of blogging. Such a blessing.
Wishing you a lovely day Misty!
xoxo
I’m so sorry you didn’t get to say goodbye Jennifer. I hope she reads this and knows she will be missed in the blog world. I often wonder if people would miss me and my blog if I stopped writing.
I can definitely attest to the power of the blogging community. Even though my blog is still small and I haven’t had a lot of time to grow it as I’d like to, I’ve still be able to make some great connections with people. You included of course! I talk to you all more than my real life friends. That’s saying something. :) Blogging has definitely been life changing for me.
Thinking about you a lot today my dear!
xoxo
Oh my gosh! I would miss you like crazy if you stopped blogging!
This community is a beautiful one. I’ve had so many wonderful, positive experiences and have met so many beautiful people and fabulous friends (you being one of them)!
Thank you for being a light in my world Tiffany! :)
xoxo
For SURE Tiffany!! You’re one of my “regular” blogs that I frequently check throughout the week!
Aw thanks ladies! You are two of my best girls. :)
Awww… You’re just the sweetest! I hope you are able to track her down!
Thanks Susannah. I hope I can track her down too.
Jennifer, you’ve hit the nail on the head!
I’m amazed and thankful that I get to ‘meet’ all of the wonderful people blogging has introduced to me. Even if we never meet up at a blogging convention, I am invested as well.
Your writing has me sitting here experiencing two feelings: sad and grateful. I’m sad that I will feel this way if / when this happens in my circle and I’m grateful and happy that I got a glimpse into someone’s life – someone I admired and respected, even if we were never sitting in the same room as one another.
You are a gifted writer, Jennifer, as you have all of your readers feeling everything you are putting onto the screen. Thank you. I’m grateful to ‘know’ you… And you better not ever leave without saying goodbye! :)
The feeling I have for my fellow blogging companions isn’t something I could have ever anticipated or expected before I started blogging. I have met so many extraordinary people. I feel blessed to be surrounded by so many creative and inspiring individuals (you being one of them of course… you amaze me)!
I don’t plan on going anywhere but when the time comes, as long as circumstances allow… I would definitely say goodbye.
Wishing you a wonderful week my friend.
xoxo
I haven’t yet had to say goodbye to any of my bloggy friends and like you I consider the blogs I visit regularly all my friends. I’ve seen children turn from newborns to toddlers and it’s been an experience. I don’t recall when I first started visiting your blog but I do know that if you disappeared I would really miss you and I hope to be more than just a bloggy friend, but one that gets to meet you in reality. I do promise my next visit to Canada you’re going to be one of my stops.
btw: 1:Face watch does ship to Canada, they do international shipping which is awesome and it’s one company that I have been trying to get everyone to invest in. It’s why I did the review and not Madison. :)
Thank you Amanda. I cherish our blogging friendship and I would love to meet you some day. I’m certain I would turn into a puddle of tears though.
Thanks for the information about 1:Face watch – I’m thinking these would make great gifts.
Wishing you a lovely day my friend.
xoxo
I feel the same way when an online friend leaves a network. These people become like part of your life in a way. It’s always sad to see them go and you can’t interact as much as you would like to.
Thank you for understanding and for your kind words. These feelings aren’t something I would have expected when I first started blogging almost four years ago. However, it’s a beautiful journey and I’ll take all the emotions that come from it.
Thanks for visiting Tina.
I loved this post!! Because YES, blogging relationships turns into REAL friendships! Actually, even closer than some in real life friendships. I mean, there a lot of “close” friends I only “see” on Facebook. But bloggers…you’re having ongoing conversations and REALLY keeping up with their lives, not just random Facebook updates. You know me a heck of a lot better right now than my best friend I’ve had since grade school. She doesn’t read my blog nor are we talking much right now because we aren’t in the same stage of life. So yeah, I would be TOTALLY sad if I wasn’t able to say goodbye to certain bloggers friends that I’ve grown close to. Like you! So don’t up and run off ever without warning, ya hear?!
Thank you Jessica. You too, are a treasured blogging friend. I look forward to your posts and you also provoke me to dig deeper and think more. I love that about you!
If the time came for me to leave the blogging community, as long as I could manage it, I would make sure to have a lengthy goodbye.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Jen, that was one of the most touching things I have read from one blogger to another. I’m sorry you’ve lost a friend you cherished and I hope that she sees this and sees what a great relationship she had with you and that maybe you can continue to be friends. You made me tear up.
Thank you Jennier. I just wished I had seen her last post and had a chance to say goodbye. I’m certain she has her reasons for leaving the blogging community. I, however, have learned just how beautiful this community is. We all have an impact Jennier… what a blessing that is.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer, how sad that Jean felt it necessary to shut down her blog and break contact with loyal followers. She may well be in a bad place and just needed to take a step back for her own sake.
I have only been blogging for a short time and am totally surprised by how drawn to people I have become. When I read a post that someone has taken the time to write, I read it because I genuinely want to and not because I feel I have to.
I have ‘met’ some great and interesting people and would be sad to find them gone with no trace.
I hope Jean does get in contact with you, if only to fill you in on her situation.
While I’m sure Jean had her reasons, my disappointment comes in that I missed her last post and never had a chance to say goodbye. This post has to be it… unless I track her down (I’m still trying, yes indeed… I’m persistent).
Even though this was a heart-wrenching experience, I feel blessed to have gone through it, in that I have seen the absolute beauty of this blogging community. It is something I will never take for granted.
Thank you Debbie. I appreciate our visits and even though we’re relatively new friends, I’m certain this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
aw, i understand how you must feel about this blogger friend. just disappearing without a trace… this makes me think closely about the influence i have on others and how i shouldn’t take any blog friendships for granted.
we really do have impact on each other.
i remember how i couldn’t stop smiling at work when i read about a single blogger pal who had found love! i was so happy for her and filled with hope. i drank in the story God was writing through her in relish. :)
i appreciate you, Jennifer!
This experience has opened my eyes to the power of our voice and the influence that we have on one another. Even though this was a emotional experience, I am thankful that I can now see what a blessing this blogging community is.
Thank you for your friendship Gen – your words often touch and minister to me. I am thankful to have you in my life.
Wishing you a blessed day.
xoxo
That is so sad. I hope she just decided to pursue other things, rather than having a terrible event precipitate her leaving. I agree with you, I have blogs I just read, but I also have bloggers I consider friends. In fact, I consider you a new friend…one I’ve” met with over coffee” a few times and our friendship is blooming. Blogging is a real human connection…here’s to many more years of blogging and friendship!
I wish I could have read her last post… it saddens me that I have no way to contact her as well.
The feeling is mutual Renee – I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
When I lost my son, I just had to get away. I gave up some friends that I’d had my whole life. It’s what I needed to survive.
I hope that Jean isn’t in the same situation but that she is at peace and that she knows how important she is.
My sons death certificate reads “The life and death of each of us has an influence on others”. I couldn’t have said it or your quote better.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
Thank you for your kind, insightful, and reflective comment Sarah. You have such an understanding and compassionate spirit. I appreciate your friendship.
Wishing you a beautiful day.
xoxo
I am honoured to be your friend.
Besos, Sarah
Oh so sad! I always get sad when a dear blogging friend leaves. I’ve been luck to be able to stay in touch with one or two of them that have. Yes, saying goodbye is important!
I think I would have felt a whole lot better if I had been able to read her last post and had the chance to say goodbye. I hope all is well with her.
Thank you for sharing your personal perspective on this as well.
I read the same title and didn’t get to say good-bye either! It does make me sad. I agree that this blogging thing is way more than just a hobby. There have been times when I was overwhelmed and considered giving it up, but it’s the connections and the friends that kept me going.
P.S. I met her at BlogU and I sent her a Facebook message with a link to this post! :-)
Lisa, my heart just skipped a beat. You must be friends with her on Facebook, because I looked for her Facebook page and couldn’t find it. Bless you for sharing a link to this post. I really want to say goodbye… she was a lovely blogging friend and I learned so much from her.
Thank you so much. You are a gem Lisa… I truly appreciate you!
xoxo
It makes me sad losing a friend in bloggy word too. Sometimes i check my old posts, read comments and if i have a friend we lost touch hop on to her site to see how she is doing. Unfortunately, so many friends are not blogging anymore or still writing as a published writer! (So proud) They know my family, my son’s childhood steps, my recipes, what i like or don’t like to eat, i know their liking, tastes and i miss their friendship! I agree with you! A bloggy friend is not just a persons behind a blog, We have connections..this is friendship even we don’t talk, see each other yet , Sorry , you didn’t get to say goodbye. Great post, Jennifer! xx
Thank you for sharing your perspective and experience with this Yonca. It’s so easy to become so close to our blogging friends. We see them through some enormous milestones in life… from marriage, to children, to new jobs, to new homes. We hear the everyday things of routines and school, and life. It’s sad when it suddenly ends.
It is a shock when a blog just disappears. I have a few that I revisit from time to time to get their take on certain events and it leaves me a little perplexed when they just stop suddenly – unfortunately one was due to a terminal illness.
I think I would have felt more settled if I had the opportunity to read her last post and it saddens me that I never got to say goodbye.
Thanks for sharing your perspective on this Tom.
Jennifer! Oh my goodness. Here’s what happened this morning: I woke up and thought about a wonderful book my children read last night and how I wished I could share it with more people. Then, I thought about how you liked my book suggestions and then I thought “I need to read Jennifer’s latest posts!” THEN I checked my email as I was making breakfast and Lisa from The Golden Spoons messaged me on Facebook and let me know about this post! This was lovely, dear, and I’m sorry I dropped off the radar so quickly. Stopping blogging is a delicate process that I was not graceful enough to navigate successfully. I let my teensy tribe know privately and then just signed off. I didn’t want to make a huge deal. I figured I could still keep up with people like you through your blogs…I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Jennifer, God works through you so very clearly and we are all lucky to be able to read your words and connect with you. I feel lucky for connecting with you online when I would have NEVER met you without it! For the record, I am in a good place and it was just time to stop. Social media was taking up a lot of my time (my leisure time was very polluted as a result). I’ve started running – I’m obsessed with it and I’ve decided to start learning Spanish this fall (I am determined to be fluent in a second language even if it takes me 80 years). I had to make room for some different goals.
Also, the book is called Thank You, Octopus. :) I’ll be back soon to read more of your words xoxoxo
Oh Jean I’m delighted to hear from you! Thank you for the update. I’m so happy to hear all is well with you and I’m so sorry I missed your last post. I’ve been worried and as you’ve read, a little sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye but now I don’t have to say goodbye! Yay!
You have been such a lovely friend and I have loved all your posts – I will especially miss your IRL posts. However, I’m delighted to hear of the wonderful, exciting things happening in your life right now.
Please stop by with book recommendations any time. I’ll make sure to check out Thank You, Octopus. My girls absolutely love the “Something’s Not Quite Right” book by Guy Billout… so I take your recommendations seriously.
Blessings to you… and wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
very interesting write up. You do become friends with people you follow even though you have never met!! I was amazed at how quickly my own blog grew after a few months as I think people are looking for ways to connect.
It’s amazing and beautiful… these connections we make while reading about each other’s lives.
Thanks for visiting Tina.
This was very touching. You don’t realize how amazing the blogging community is until you’re knee deep in it. Reading a blog post is sharing in someone else’s life and it is possible to get attached.
Thank you Samantha. Yes, we’re not just sharing… we’re connecting. It truly is amazing and something I wouldn’t have expected when I first started blogging.
Oh my, I would probably cry as well. This post is so beautiful. It’s exactly how I feel about blogging and being in Bloggyland. Sometimes, I share the things I read with the people who are not lucky enough to be involved with my blogging friends. ;-) It’s hard to get them to understand that blogging is not just about writing something and hitting publish. You’re so right about the impact a blog and blogger can have. When I read something that affects me so deeply, it will be on my mind., in a positive or negative way. I love this blog world. I’d be sad to leave or see my friends leave.
Awww, thank you Dee. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
Jean did get back to me and she commented! I’m so glad we reconnected and that I don’t have to say goodbye… that now we can keep in touch. All is well with her. She wanted to focus her energy on other things.
Your post is so touching Jennifer! I recently wondered about a blogger that I had not seen anything new from in a while. I checked her blog and it is still there, just looking dormant. I know life happens and the lives we live away from the keyboard are vital, but something does click when these online connections are made – real people with real lives on the other end of the “click”.
I’m sorry you missed saying goodbye to Jean. I’ve often wondered what would happen if something tragic (God forbid) happened and I just totally “disappeared” one day from the blogosphere. That’s truly a situation any blogger could find themselves in. I hope that was not the case for Jean. Perhaps you will hear from her again.
Thank you for your heart-felt post. It is a reminder to be grateful for the friendships we have – both face-to-face, and virtual. I thank God for you, friend!
Awww, thank you so much for your kind and compassionate words Karen. Thank you for sharing your personal perspective on this too.
Jean did get back to me and she commented on this post! I’m so glad we reconnected and that I don’t have to say goodbye… that now we can keep in touch. All is well with her. She wanted to focus her energy on other things.
Thank you for being such a dear friend Karen. You are a blessing.
xoxo
I know that feeling all too well. A really good blog friend of mine stopped blogging after we talked daily through our blogs for a couple of years. We didn’t ‘know’ each other face-to-face but we were friends for sure. We shared about our children, helped support each other through hard times, and overall just enjoyed chatting. She had to stop blogging due to some challenges in her life, and I understood, but it was very hard nonetheless.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this Sarah. Jean did get back to me and she commented on this post! I’m so glad we reconnected and that I don’t have to say goodbye… that now we can keep in touch. All is well with her. She wanted to focus her energy on other things.
Jennifer, when starting a blog, it does seem like a hobby but as time goes we build such strong virtual connections, that it is difficult to imagine a day when you lose that connection. I hope Jean contacts you and let you know that everything is ok. If she does, please post an update here! Thanks for sharing such an emotional post!
Thank you for your comment. Jean did get back to me and she commented on this post! I’m so glad we reconnected and that I don’t have to say goodbye. Now we can keep in touch! All is well with her. She wanted to focus her energy on other things.
I kept scrolling and scrolling the comments hoping to see a comment saying I seen your post and I wish you well from your blogging friend. That is so terribly sad.. :(
Jean did get back to me and she commented on this post! I’m so glad we reconnected and that I don’t have to say goodbye. Now we can keep in touch. All is well with her. She wanted to focus her energy on other things.
This is such a sweet post- I’m so glad that you were able to get in touch with her! You are so right that we pour so much of ourselves into our blogs. I think I end up going deeper right away with people I connect with since I tend to write about deeper things and thus facilitating that kind of connection and just through the nature of online communication. It is hard to have small talk “ummm… How’s the weather where you are at?” kind of silliness ;) I feel like I lay a lot of my heart on the line when I write and to lost a friend that I’ve shared that with would be so hard! Unfortunately, I have to be really careful about what I share at the same time being a foster parent because I need a certain degree of separation to protect my boys. Anyways, thanks for this wonderful post!
Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
I am delighted that I was able to connect with Jean again. So I guess you could say, I don’t have to say goodbye… we can now keep in touch.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective on this as well. Blogging is certainly an emotional, yet connecting journey!
xoxo
So powerful and true, my friend. Thank you for being part of my blogging journey. Your encouraging spirit, honest stories, and deeply meaningful posts always make my day (and world) so much better. <3
Awww, you’ve made me teary. Thank you Farrah. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you too… and we’ve only just begun!
xoxo
Wow. I just love you more than ever, Jennifer. It is both beautiful and amazing how we all meet as total strangers, sometimes many miles apart, and make those, as you so BEAUTIFULLY stated it, “emotional, heart-wrenching, soul-expanding, love-outpouring, relationship-building” connections on this blogging journey. I am so happy and blessed to know you. xo
Awww, thanks Topaz. It really is a beautiful experience. I’m so glad that I get to share in this experience with you. We’re kindred spirits Topaz and I feel so blessed that we’ve met in this blogging world!
xoxo
Oh, that would have made me so sad! I totally agree with you…the bloggers I read have become friends. I’ve learned from them, grown as a writer and a blogger, spent nights chatting with them on Twitter. I would be so sad to totally lose contact with one.
Fortunately someone read this post and notified Jean of it… so Jean and I have reconnected!
It’s amazing how blogging about our lives and our experiences connects us.
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this as well.
Wow. What a beautiful post. Even though I have only been blogging for a month, I understand the impact that we have on the people who read our words. The connections are real.
Thank you for reminding us to never take that responsibility lightly.
Thank you Lee. I’m delighted that you enjoyed it.
Yes, the connections are very real and the impact is great.
Thanks for visiting.
Oh wow — so sad! It’s true, though. I never expected ANYTHING when I started my blog but soon found myself immersed in a world I didn’t know existed. I made friends I never met. I learned things I never knew I’d learn. I made connections.
This post should be required reading for all new bloggers. Just a little heads up for how invested they’ll become :)
Agreed. I’m as attached to some of my blogging friends as I am to my (non-virtual?) friends. One is on a summer hiatus and I miss her posts terribly!
I was just about to share this post and do a shout-out to Jean … but just saw that you have reconnected. I am glad. Thanks for reminding me that along with establishing blogging relationships comes the same responsibilities we have in any friendships. Sharing this anyway, because it is so beautiful. Found this at the Saturday Sharefest, by the way :)
Thank you Susan. I’m delighted that Jean and I reconnected… yay!
Thank you for visiting (and for sharing). These blogging connections are a beautiful gift, something I will not take for granted.
Wishing you a lovely day.
My blogging friends have become a part of my daily routine. I understand how you feel.
It’s amazing how connected we get through our blogs.
Thank you for visiting Janie.
This would disturb me, too, the wondering. Blessings to Jean, wherever she is.
Hi Carol. Someone ended up telling Jean about this post and we’ve reconnected! Yay! All is well with her… she decided to reassess and prioritize the activities in her life.
Thanks for stopping by!
I have a couple blog friends that did leave blogging and did say goodbye. Both sent emails explaining the circumstances behind their departures. One I am still in touch with. I do miss them, but sometimes people drop off for very good reasons.
It turns out someone informed Jean about this post and we reconnected. She reassessed the priorities in her life and decided to focus on other things for the time being.
Here from #sitsblogging…this is a lovely, bittersweet post. I’m so glad that Jean found it and that you were able to reconnect. Thanks for this reflection on the community that blogging brings!
Thank you Michele. It’s been lovely to hear how others bloggers can identify with these connections we make through our blogs.
Thank you for taking the time to visit today.
Dear my friend Jenn! I have also develop so many friendships this year, This month will be one year since I started blogging, and I can say it’s been a pleasure to meet all the ladies in many different social medias platforms including yourself. I remember the first time I stumble with your blog, and since then I read and visit your blog, learn from you and even share thought about any subject. I had created so many strong bonds with some friends that I would feel lost too if I can’t hear from them anymore. I live in a foreign county which with the language barrier it’s hard to make friends. Plus being a military wife involves so much drama, that I prefer to stay in my little bubble with my blogging friends. Sending you lots of hugs this weekend, and as always we will keep in touch.
Aww, thank you so much Remy.
You are definitely one of my dear blogging friends… and I treasure our visits with one another.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
WOW…what a powerful post. We do meet so many wonderful people in blog land. I consider some of them my dearspest friends.
Thank you Dana. These connections we make are a beautiful gift… and something I refuse to take for granted.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
I totally agree. Some how reading blogs makes you feel connected to the author. Especialy when their life is similar to yours.
These connections we make are absolutely precious and beautiful. I am thankful for every single one of them!
Well this read conjured emotions I wasn’t ready to handle! Lol! This is a great read.
I recently had the experience of REALLY thinking about how social media, blogs, etc, have changed my life. There are people I expect to see & hear from each day. And when I don’t, I wonder what’s going on. I miss them. The same way I miss my family and friends (in a sense). These are more than words on a screen that we read/type, they are windows of time and therefore glimpses into our most precious commodity.
Thanks for sharing with Blogdiggity!
It’s amazing how attached and interconnected we get in this big blogging world!
Thanks for stopping by Tandra.
I so get where you are coming from, having been in a similar position a few years ago when a dear friend just one day stopped blogging, I was stunned by the emotional fallout of not knowing what had happened.
It’s easy to forget that by sharing our everyday lives, others do become invested emotionally in them and for better or worse, want to know how things end.
Beautiful post, I’m sure Jean appreciates it
Thank you Amanda. I was surprised at how much this impacted me. Thanks for sharing your experience as well.
I LOVE this post because it really makes me think how valuable and powerful what bloggers share with the world can be. I hope you find this lady again — it’s like you lost a good friend. Thank you for writing such a thoughtful post!
We have such a huge impact on one another. It’s so beautiful.
Someone read this post and did contact Jean… so we’ve been reconnected once again.
Thanks for visiting.
I’ve ‘known’ a few bloggers who have disappeared over the years. Each time it’s heartbreaking. Whether they just quietly stop posting, slowly drift away or suddenly stop, it’s hard for those of us who are already invested. So sorry you had to go through this in such a sudden way. Hopefully your friend is okay and sees how much she is missed.
This was such an emotional experience Leslie… my reaction completely caught me off-guard.
Someone read this post and contacted Jean, so we have thankful reconnected. All is well with her, she’s just decided to use her energy on other activities.
Thanks for sharing your own experiences with this.
Oh man, this made me sad. I hate you didn’t get to tell her goodbye. Blogging is so much more than a hobby. I love this post because every word of it is so true, and I don’t think we really think about it like that very often.
Thank you Logan. The beauty of blogging… someone read this post and told Jean about it. So we were able to reconnect!
So glad you enjoyed this – thank you for reading and sharing your perspective.
I’ve been there too. It’s very strange to just have someone disappear. We DO make connections here in the blogosphere, don’t we? Apparently, it was time for her to move on, and we can’t begrudge people that, but it is a loss.
Someone ended up contacting her and told her about this post, so we ended up reconnecting. I would never begrudge someone who leaves blogging but oh did it ever make me sad.
Thanks for stopping by Mare!