I have been writing my blog for over four years, and I have become aware that a variety of people start, continue or stop their blogs. At first I followed the writers who had found my posts and commented on them. As I found writers I enjoyed, I found new blogs by reading the comments posted on blogs I followed. I blog not only to have a chance to express myself, but more importantly to have a chance to interact with writers around the world. So active comments matter to me.
So while many blogs disappear, when I no longer receive posts from ones I follow, I wonder what happened.
What happened to the thoughtful young man from Kashmir? I wrote back and forth to him and learned much about the military presence in Kashmir and its affects on students such as him. His views led me to learn more about the complicated history between Kashmir and the larger Indian nation. I also learned more about the partition in 1947 creating the separate nation of Pakistan. Nothing is simple in conflicts in Kashmir, and I began to understand that. His presence came and went as internet access was cut off to his province. But eventually he stopped writing.
What happened to the philosophy scholar from Turkey? She wrote long thoughtful essays on challenging philosophical issues. Was she affected by the turmoil around Universities in Turkey? She quit writing without an explanation.
What about the stressed mother dealing with a child’s medical challenges? Her posts exposed me to language disabilities I had never before known. She tirelessly worked to get help for her daughter. Did she find another way to share her experience?
I have come to expect that however much we have engaged in the back and forth around our writings, my correspondents may vanish. It hasn’t stopped me from connecting, but it does leave me wondering.
Saved By Words 
Ohhh yeah – that eb and flow of blogging-banter can be so frustrating for that innate curiosity. Going from almost daily comments on any and all content to 0 communications…it’s weird how the internet allows for that type of ‘ghosting’. Relative anonimous virtual freedom. Real life courtesy doesn’t count here 🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. It’s always nice when a blogger can give you a heads up so you know all is well, and something else more negative didn’t interrupt their voice.
LikeLiked by 3 people
A good and ponderable question.
LikeLike
Some years ago before I shifted over to wordpress I was part of community for disabled people – and suddenly out of the blue, the leader stopped posting and then the whole disappeared. She wasn’t a well person at all…but I wondered what happened.
Even though my blog looks relatively new it’s not – I ended up starting over again with w/press… one of the “other pages” tells you that. Plus I never keep copies of what I write err mumble about as I just don’t care to…me thinking of floppy disks filled with mumbling many years ago.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah yes. Floppy disks. Think of all the technology we mastered and no longer need.
LikeLike
I have found it so sad when when I no longer am able to read from bloggers I enjoyed……..you always hope they are doing well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve had a few favorite bloggers disappear. And I hope they just got interested in something else. Hopefully nothing unfortunate happened.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is what I always fear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Been asking the same question. Where are those lovely blogs I used to follow?
LikeLike
Glad to know we all miss them.
LikeLike
I still long for the posts of a man who wrote the funniest stories I ever read. He disappeared without a farewell. However, there are always the delightful relationships of present and future bloggers. As long as we have this platform, the possibilities are boundless.
LikeLike
I have found that for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry to hear you lost touch with so many bloggers. You know where to find me if I ever disappear though!
LikeLike
Absolutely. I am reading another fascinating book which sadly needed a good editor.(Which it clearly didn’t have. It was even put out by Harper Collins, not self-published.)”Wandering in Strange Lands.” Don’t buy it, but get it from the library for great information about the rice plantations in Georgia.
LikeLike
I didn’t even know Georgia had rice plantations, but it makes sense. All those swamps! I’ll see if my library has a digital copy. ☺️
LikeLike
I’ve only been doing this less than a year and a half, but I’ve wondered the same thing. I took a short break once and wondered if everyone would still be there when I came back. I blog to practice writing and meet interesting people. The good news is when someone leaves, there are always other blogs born.
LikeLike
Fortunately it appears that followers will keep on even with interruptions. I actually wait a year before dropping one from my reader.
LikeLike
When one of the best writers I ever followed died, her husband took the time to put up a blog post telling her followers. Another marvellous blogger emailed me to let me know she was not going to continue blogging. But some of the best have undoubtedly ‘vanished without trace’ during the last eight years, and I still think of them often.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Yes I thought that was very moving to let you know about her death.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, all of the above. I too have received notification from loved ones when someone has died, or had prior information that a blogger was ceasing. I have several posts where I had linked to other blogs to share their wisdom and wonder, only to find that the blogs have now been deleted. Such a pity as the distant memory fades. I have one blogger who writes very infrequently, who has severe difficulties in just getting through each day. I love when there is suddenly a gem to read that tells me that person is still alive, still coping, if barely. It is well worth the wait.
I value your posts Elizabeth, as I value all those that I read on a regular, or maybe not so regular, basis. I once promised a blogging friend that I would write from the grave to let him know if I suddenly died. I’m still working on how to achieve that!
LikeLike
If you figure out how to do that I imagine there would be a lot more important things to say!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have often wondered the same thing with bloggers who simply aren’t there anymore. You put to words what seems to happen to many of us. Like you, I started by reading and following those who commented on my blog, and it grew from there. I tell my husband I need to ‘write my thank you notes’, and he knows that means answering and writing to fellow bloggers. Why follow a blog if you’re not going to comment or communicate? Thank you for this reflective post, Elizabeth.
LikeLike
Thank you notes is very apt. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, Elizabeth.
LikeLike
Yes, like you I do wonder….and it’s sad not knowing
LikeLike