There is something about blogging that makes the world both a bigger and a smaller place.
Through blogs, and their content I am filled inspiration to create, write, grow, nourish, explore, dream and nurture. My world becomes bigger as I read.
Blogging makes the world smaller too. I can connect with places I can't even dream of visiting one day, as the distances are too far, and yet an email or a blog post brings them right into my home.
I've been blogging for seven years, and in that time I'm lucky enough to have made many blog friends, some of whom are now real life friends too, but along the way many many of the blogs I read have vanished, some people announce they are stopping, others just quietly diminish as time and life take over, occasionally one just stops suddenly and you may quietly ponder whatever happened to them. Recently I learnt of the tragic death of a blogger whom I'd read since I first started blogging, whose blog was a vibrant source of colour and laughter and when she stopped blogging suddenly a year or so ago after announcing some personal sadness I often thought of her. Sadly there is no happy ending to her story, and the world seems smaller without her, but I will remember the happy things about her, her love of colour and creating, and sharing that joy.
love, create, share.
perhaps these will be my resolutions for the year.
Happy New Year to you, may it be filled with happy memories.
A good and apt tribute. I too was deeply affected by this news. Vanessa' s presence on the blogging scene was the encouragement I needed to join in.
ReplyDeleteshe was wonderfully encouraging, and now you are part of her legacy.
DeleteWhat lovely words. I've found similar inspiration in blogland, it's a very energising place. Some people in particular are very inspirational, and it seems that Vanessa was one. A sad loss. She has left an energy behind her though, I've seen several people taking that energy and going forward with it. It's a good legacy. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteYour post has stopped me in my tracks. I never knew Vanessa and her blog. But in a funny way, her passing has reminded me why I started to blog, and why I should start posting again. She was clearly a inspiration. I have am inspired every time I visit the blogs that I follow. I should start again.
ReplyDeleteLeanne xx
I'm glad you are inspired to start blogging again Leanne, a positive thing coming from sadness always helps to ease the loss.
DeleteYes that sad news has ricochet around many blogs. I too followed Do you mind if I knit and missed it so much when it stopped. I love reading blogs and having a sense that there are like minded people out there. Even though I haven't maintains my feeble attempt, I get so much pleasure from following others. Thanks to all bloggers who share, you make the world a more colourful place to be.
ReplyDeletethank you for your kind words x
DeleteSuch a tragic loss , I remember having chats with her about the little mole that she illustrated. Such a clever lady . Wishing you all the best for the New Year Tess xx
ReplyDeleteLovely, thoughtful post, Tess. It has made me think about why I blog and the way blogging has enriched my life. Thanks for the inspiration. xxx
ReplyDeletethank you for your kind words Isabelle x
DeleteI am lucky enough to have a little papier mache model of one of my whippets which Vanessa made for me, it has always been cherished but is all the more so since I heard of her death a few days before Christmas. A light has gone out.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put Tess. The world is a lesser place without Vanessa, she was wonderfully talented, quirky, colourful and generous and she will be missed by so many, thanks for your lovely tribute to her x
ReplyDeleteI didn't know her blog but we have many books that she illustrated on our shelves. You have a written a beauitful tribute to her, inspiring people are wondefully generous with their talent. I love your aspirations for the year.
ReplyDeleteI too am taken aback by this sad news. I've just realized that I followed her blog regularly and lost the habit when she ebbed. Her work was so beautiful! What a loss.
ReplyDeleteYou've written a lively tribute.
I feel the same way about blogging. You've expressed it better than I could.
It is so very sad. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely fitting post.
ReplyDeleteThe world is a sadder place today without our Blogging friend.
xxx
'Do you mind if I knit' was one of the first blogs I really fell in love with The person, the photos, her work, her stories and her conversation. We often go to Northumberland on holiday and I loved being able to identify the sea views and the view of Berwick and Tweedmouth in her photos. When she stopped blogging I was saddened then, however her untimely death really struck home. :(
ReplyDeletefor me Berwick will always be associated with her, and her colourful photo shoots x
DeleteBlogging has brought me the same joys, questions and thinking space, I am so very glad I started, but also, that I started commenting and interacting, not just remaining behind the screen!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't found Vanessa's blog before but I will sit down and appreciate it now, her work was beautiful, very sad news. x
it is such sad news, and yet from it we realise what a wonderful community blogging builds. x
DeleteA beautiful way to remember her, a resolution worth the keeping. xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet tribute to Vanessa.......she was so special and she will be so missed.
ReplyDeleteI love how well you expressed the subtleties of blogging too, Tess....beautifully put.
Helen xox
I didn't know that blog, but it is clear from your post and the comments what a well-thought of lady she was. Wishing you all the best for the New Year and thank you for the lovely sentiments in this post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this lovely tribute to Vanessa. It is a small comfort to know that her creativity and generosity of spirit will live on in the hearts of all who loved her even if they only knew her through her blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. I only found her blog a few months ago and, having seen gaps in her posting, I was hoping that she'd post again soon. Such sad news. I love your resolutions -- they're perfect.
ReplyDeleteI have only recently joined the blogging world so sadly never got the chance to 'meet' what sounds to be a wonderful person. She has left a wonderful legacy in all of your memories. x
ReplyDeleteI think being remembered with affection is a wonderful legacy x
DeleteAlthough I didn't follow Vanessa's blog, I did know of it. It was such a tragic thing to read about over the holidays through various other fans of hers. It was strange to read her final blog post, already a year old and know that she is no longer there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog. I've been enjoying reading back a few posts here :)
Wendy x
like you i have been blogging many years, and so have similar experiences of finding the world bigger and yet smaller.
ReplyDeletei never came across her blog yet i'm still touched. and the intentions to take away from her legacy - to love, create, and share are beautiful.
thank you, I think the blogging world creates so many experiences, and inspirations.
DeleteI've lost count of how many years I've been blogging. Bloggers who suddenly stop writing leave me wondering what happened but for one dear blogging friend her Blog was a lifeline cruelly taken away from her and I'm so sad for her and miss her x
ReplyDeletethat is so sad.
DeleteHi, Tess--Happy New Year! Glad to see you back here post-holidays.... How sorry I am about the loss of your friend, though. I didn't know her personally, but knew of her. She was a bright spark that will be sorely miss... Many thanks for the warm welcome back to blogland. And I was gone so long-- LOL! Perhaps I should claim a woman's prerogative?! No... I think I just needed a real break--I was burned out, not feeling great, my spiritual life is VERY much affecting my creative life and that's been harder to share at times for the present at least... so much! But it's good to be back. Blogland is the best place--and I missed it while I was away. Glad to visit with you here now. Making the rounds this week. I was offline a lot at Christmas--too much fun & feasting! ;o) Wishing you heart's content, creative fulfillment and much more--and happy times with your sweet family--in 2015! ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteit really shock me when I heard. So so sad.
ReplyDelete