Two days ago, I got an email from a stranger – a caring, considerate stranger. After a month-long silence on a friend's blog, she had learned her friend had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was in hospital pending transfer to hospice. This stranger had gone through all the comments on her friend's blog to gather contact info and let us, her blogpals, know why the blog was silent and to ask us to pray for our common friend.
I had a card addressed to send today when I got another email; Nancy of High Plains Footprints died this morning. Instead of writing words of love and encouragement to her in my card, I wrote instead to her brother, to let him know that Nancy will be missed, and why.
Poof; just like that, someone is gone, and I am stunned and sad. Had Nancy's friend not investigated, then reached out to a broader community (bless her!), her followers would never know why Nancy's blog went silent. Several blogs I have followed over the years have become inactive; it always makes me wonder why. I miss them....
So thanks, those of you who comment. (I've changed the settings lately, hoping to make it easier for some who have reported difficulties leaving comments.) You honor me by your visits, and enrich my life when you reach out. I try to do the same. As one blogpal says at the end of every post, "Take care and be kind to one another." It matters. You matter. We all matter.
That's it for today from . . .
20 comments:
What sad news. So many times I've wondered why a blogger has stopped writing. I'm so glad her friend made the effort to reach out. My thoughts and love go out to Nancy's family. We have to look out for each other.
Sad news indeed Michelle. There are some blogs I hold on my list even though they have long been silent, and not commented on mine for quite a while. Hugs to all and thank you for a beautiful, thoughtful post.
Such a kind and caring thing that friend did to let Nancy's readers know. Sadly, life can change so very quickly. Sending healing thoughts to Nancy's family.
That was very thoughtful of her friend. Me, I am still alive but buried in new fleeces. Still have about 40 to get processed. Lambing should start soon, hoping first one waits til next week.
Very sad news. And yet through the sadness, the caring and compassion of her friend.
It is so true, take care and be kind to one another.
Wishing you sunshine!
It sounds so cliche', but is very true that any one of us could be gone tomorrow. It's sometimes very difficult to live in the moment and appreciate what is - at least it can be for me. I have lost many loved ones, and spend part of my time in remembrance of them, but try to focus on today. It really is all that we have. I'm sorry to hear of your friend's death Michelle. I've also wondered what happened when blogs sometimes go silent and appreciate comments from others on my blog. It lets me know they dropped by.
Thank you for the reminder.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, but thank you, Michelle, for reminding us all of this important thing.
I have had a similar experience more than once. Your words convey a very important message. Thank you for sharing.
I'm sorry you lost your friend. It seems like there should be a way to notify people/readers other than 'radio silence'. I've wondered about one or two bloggers. Thank you. Helen
So sad to hear. Life is strange, overwhelming, sad and kind, all in one.
From your description of Nancy and what I saw on her blog, she seemed to be one of the more beautiful souls on the internet. The world will be duller without her. I hope her soul is at peace and that her friends' and family's grief will ebb over time. *hugs*
Sending sympathy for your sadness, but glad you know what happened.
I'm so sorry :-(
This is a community that has more sense of community about it than a lot of communities in the "real" world. Take care all of you and God Bless those who are gone before.....
I was saddened to read about your friend Nancy. Life really can turn on a dime, just like that, can't it? It seems like the older I get, now at 60, the more frequently I lose friends and loved ones. How very thoughtful of Nancy's friend to contact you. Certainly it is a kindness to remember. So often I will click on a link to a blog that sounds interesting, only to find it suddenly ended several years ago. I always wonder about it as well. Thank you for your thoughtful post, Michelle. (Your 3 sunrise/sunset (?) photos are beautiful, by the way. I wish there was a way to distinguish sunrise from sunset shots; or perhaps there is?)
Thanks Michelle for posting this
Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Michelle. This past month with the health issues and hospitalization of The Shepherd has certainly shown me that you just can't take anything for granted. It was so thoughtful of Nancy's other reader to try and figure out what happened. The sad news that we never want to hear. Take care my friend. XOX T.
You're right. I often visit without commenting, which isn't really right. How kind of the friend to make an effort to find out and let people know. Very thoughtful.
Thank-you, each one of you, for your comments. Like Fiona said, "This is a community that has more sense of community about it than a lot of communities in the 'real' world." You all "get" that; that is why you are so important to me. Your comments, even on the "lighter" posts, bless my days.
Lisa, since our view faces east, my photos are almost always of sunrises. If you see a mountain, it is for SURE a sunrise photo unless I am away from home. ;-)
Thank you, Michelle... I am behind on catching up on everything, and it's so sad to hear of the loss of your friend, yet so caring of her friend to know that you all were out there... It's interesting how these electronic pages connect us all, and how we look forward to hearing "the news". So thank you for all your postings, photos and sharing! I so enjoy them! Take care, and hug that horse of yours for me!
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