Missing in Action

I started my online persona back in 1993.  Overnight my web presence garnered spots in USA Today, The New York Times, Forbes, Playboy, Wired,  Fortune and the Wall Street Journal among a few. 

After a hiatus, I started writing again and fell into the label of the "Mommy Blogger" There were a few people who believed in me from the beginning:  some of my first commenters. 

Strangers, who made my day.  Some that grew to friendships that will last forever.  

And nearly every one of the blogs who welcomed me into this community and made me feel loved, have stopped blogging. 

There are different reasons, some I know, others I don't. I stay in contact with a couple through email, but others have deleted their blogs and I haven't heard a word.

It's like a friend moved away.

Which feels strange, just typing those words. How can I miss people I've never met in real life or spoken to in person? 

I just experienced my first blogging conference where I put faces with names. It makes it all more real. Because (news flash) REAL people write blogs!

I've been thinking about why bloggers stop blogging. Do they run out of words because they've said it all? Are they compromised in some way?  Too busy? Or just simply burned out from too much of an online life? There are probably a million different reasons.

If you blog, please remember that your words are powerful. They are read. The good and the bad. And when you leave this parallel world you are missed.

I know many bloggers stop out of disappointment or because they don't feel their blog is successful. 

I think this is why commenting is so important. It's not about receiving a hundred comments a day, it's about the affirmation, the companionship that you receive. I make it a point to comment on several new blogs every week. Someone I don't know, never heard of, because I want to be someone's first commenter. 

Why do you blog? Do you ever want to stop? 

I have to say, I hope I'm never done.

(I know many of my readers do not have a blog, but I'm still very glad you're a part of my world. How would you feel if you clicked to your favorite blog and it was gone?)

I have been gone for a while -- but for those that kept sending me constant reminders of adoration it was truly appreciated.  I am dipping my toe back in the water gradually.  Thank you for your patience, understanding and feedback.