Hello, Michele sent me to say Goodbye.

Dear Friends,

How to sum up in one post what this blog has meant to me? It was a distraction after the death of my dearest friend, it was a meditation during a serious illness; it was a public wink to a private flirtation, and it was personal brevity during moments of stress. It was, in short, exactly what I needed when I needed it  most. 

This blog, of course, is not  me, it never has been. It has always been simply a slice of who I am. The slice that I offered was often quirky, usually fun, rarely disheartened and always protective of my privacy. Is that who I am? Yes and no. Yes, it is  my hope  that I was able to share a virtual aspect of myself that is true to my reality. However, I am much more than what I have ever offered in these many posts, which of course is true for all bloggers. Yet, very few bloggers create and maintain a mystery of self to such the extent that I have during the past  several years. This  mystery was partly by choice but  mostly by necessity. There has been many times that I have felt it unfair for  me to not contribute to the countless conversations that I prompted on these pages. If anyone has ever, even for a brief moment, felt slighted or thought I was being rude by my unwillingness to join in or respond: I apologise. Please know  that it was  never my attempt to be anything but welcoming on my blog.

It has been the me behind this blog  that has taken generously from the many individuals who were kind enough to become regular visitors here. To say that this blog has received lots of visitors over the years is, of course, stating the obvious. What is also obvious, to anyone who spends time reading the comments left here, is that these many visitors have offered wit, wisdom, kindness, insight, and a readiness to simply join in on the silliness that I continued to offer. To each and  every person who opened up a comment box and  left a few or many words on these pages - I thank you. I thank you so very much.

This blog has introduced me to someone who made me swoon, someone who became a deeply cherished friend and someone who stands behind me and allows me to see through a window to a view of wonder that I had no idea even existed. Was that cryptic enough for you? If yes, then please allow me  to be less so by admitting that there are also a small handful of regular visitors that I truly feel connected to; of course, I am not certain that they also feel this connection, but I certainly hope they do. And I hope they will allow me to begin or to continue exchanging notes. There are some people who I now call blog-friends  that I would love to develop or continue a friendship with. Yes, I will be in touch. Please, know that any person who also feels this unspoken connection of friendship is welcome to write to me. Yes, I will now finally have the time to respond.

As you have no doubt gathered by now, and yes, the title was a less than subtle hint, this  is my goodbye post. Why now? Well, because I am now  ready to say goodbye to my blog, without saying  goodbye to blogging. My hope  is  to now  have the time to become a visitor at some of my favourite blogs. It is also my hope  to post a link on this site offering you a new place to go and play the meet n' greet. It is also possible that I might one day wish to open a new blog - not a copy of this  one, but one that offers a different slice of  me.

Someone very special to me suggested,  when we discussed that I was planning on writing my goodbye post, to go out silently and not allow comments. I considered doing this. I decided against it. I care too much about the community of blog-friends that gather here on a regular or somewhat-regular basis. So, the comments are open - yes, you may have the last word. Maybe. It is, of course, possible that I will write back or add you to my list of those to notify if I ever do begin blogging again - please consider yourself  warned.

Thank-you for making Michele the blog everything it was. Thank-you for sharing a bit of yourself with me and for continually allowing me to share a bit of myself with you. Many of  you already know that my real name is not Michele Agnew, but, what many of you do not know is that I will always carry Michele Agnew in my heart because "she" allowed me to get  to know many of you.

With all my heart, thank-you and goodbye.

With Love. xoxo

Comments

[Utenzi]

Gaining that special someone, and perhaps shedding others, can be miraculous, Michele. Enjoy the future that you've created for yourself.

[Burntofferings (Bernie)]

Understand, and respect you leaving... But could you reconsider???

Alas, have a great time in the future of what ever it may bring...

With love from 'downunder'!

[mrc1471]

When I first started blogging, this was one of the first sites I happened upon. I love this place and I will miss coming here, but I wish you all the best..and please don't be a stranger and stop by.. I will miss you!

[mr. althouse]

I'm not sure quite what to say. I understand and wish you nothing but the best? Yes, of course, absolutely. But surely you know that the blogosphere will be losing among its best. There is no blog like yours nor will there ever be again, for although this is but only a slice of you, it is still uniquely you and no one else.

I have come to know, respect and admire you not just as Michele the blog, but Michele the person - and I'm not speaking of Michele Agnew. I wish you only the best... all the love, the happiness and the smiles you have brought all of us and then some.

You are a very special woman.

Mike

[Bev]

It was a fun ride while it lasted. I wish you all the best, and I thank you for the hours of fun I've had here. You will very definitely be missed.

[Marisa]

Tears of laughter, joy and sorrow have been a part of your site since I found you not long after 9-11. It was because of your kind generosity donating to this cause that caught my attention and on going following.
You have helped me and millions of others with our problems. Your games have been copied, but nothing can beat the original.(gee no one else had special friends like Casper & Connie). Your regular visitors have also been a constant companion too.
Thank you for just being you. You will be missed but not forgotten.

With absolute love from your friend in good old Australia (pssst I hear its a great movie too). xxxxx

thanks xxxx

[Sarcasmom]

Til we meet again, Mihele. And thank you. Your blg was that familiar place to go and hang out, just to see what was oing on. I will miss you.

[Sue]

You will be missed!!!

[Kim]

i celebrate with you. freedom. ease. peace. adventure.

thank you for being here in this way.

that and I had BETTER hear back from you!!!

[Teena in Toronto]

Take care!

[Keith]

Thank you very much for sharing and all the games. Have a wonderful Christmas and life. Take care

[Leanne]

You're a beautiful soul, you know.

Take me with you.

[kenju]

Michele, I wish it were not so. As I entered blogging in 2005, I soon found your blog. You introduced me to many bloggers I would not have found otherwise, and opened a new world for me. I do feel a connection and I am sorry it will be, if not severed, at least weakened by your leaving. You will be sorely missed.

[Jennie]

Michele, I had such fun. I enjoyed every bit of your silliness. You created a great place to play and meet wonderful people. What kenju said is true of me too. Thanks for touching our lives, giving us smiles throughout our days and friendships. Many hugs and remember...I once said that you looked much younger than your years = bff.

[Miz UV]

Thank you for making this a fun and happy place, Michele. I wish you much good luck and happiness. Please put me on the list of people to notify if/when you begin a new blog. Hugs!

[Diana]

Michele, thanks for the memories.

[Sally Bramald]

Thank you for your blog. It has bought a few hours (in terms of minutes at a time) of pleasure.
Move on and enjoy your life,
Sally

[better safe than sorry]

i came across your blog several years ago, it's been entertaining and educational and i hope it's something that has brought you as much pleasure as it has to anyone who has visited here.
i wish you all the best with your future endeavors and thank you for allowing me and every one here that will be commenting to leave you a chance to say goodbye.
jane

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

It has been a privilege to play with you here, Michele. You attracted a class of blogger I've found in few other places, not enough of whom I'm proud to call friend.

I wish you the best going forward. And I hope to hear from you again, in whatever persona you choose. Your class and graciousness helped make my days.

[Sara]

Michele,

While I am saddened to see your blog go - I wish you only the best...in many ways, you will always be thought of...

Through your blog I found some really great people and their blogs who I continue to read each day...

And, of course, there was you - always the "mystery" woman - who had fun and who helped others have fun...The last year and half that I played your games - and commented on "a blog friend wants to know" -was a hard time for me - my relationship had ended; and this past July - my mother who I was primary caregiver for - went to live in a nursing home. But, Michele and all my "friends" from the blog were there.

I'll never forget the day that you named my little blog as Site of the Day! WOW - I was so thrilled!!!! And that you used some of my questions - it all made me feel great!

I hope you'll come and visit my blog!

Know you will be missed and wished nothing but the best...

[wtmv]

Awww and I was just beginning to get to know this blog that I have come to enjoy. Nevertheless, it was a fun ride and will surely miss it. Know that for every poignant blog I come across, I will be wondering if it's a resurrection of 'Michele Agnew' under a different pseudonym. I sure will be looking out for that.

Goodluck and here's wishing you the best.

[Melody]

Good luck in future adventures Michele. You will be missed by so many but life goes on.

As I set forward on Friday in my own new chapter of life, I will be keeping my eye out for new blogs, just as I did about 4 years ago upon the birth of my Monet Lulu when I was introduced to you via kimbofo. It was nice to 'meet and greet' you. You were like a rock in the blogging community and encouraged friendliness and visitors to sites, my own included. Thank you. Without you I would not have found some wonderful friends from around the globe, including a few I have met in both my homeland and in England.

Here's to you Michele...Cheers.

[elle]

Best to you.. always... I haven't been here for a while, and I am glad to have returned if only to say goodbye... Thanks for sharing the bit of yourself you have shared all these years. I am glad you have found solace and growth and happiness in this crazy cyber space...

be well,

keep in touch!

xxoxoxox

elle

[anniebird]

Michele, I had a beloved sister who passed away almost three years ago. We thought very differently about things but I loved, loved, loved talking to her. She was thoughtful and eloquent, measured in her opinions and careful to put kindness before everything else, never more so than when she disagreed with me.

More than once I have been reminded of her when reading your blog, especially when you have honored me by responding to some of the opinions I've posted here. Thank you! I'll miss you and hope our paths will cross in the blogosphere.

Be well!

[HektikLyfe]

Hmmm, I was just getting started.

Goodbye everyone.

[colleen]

I once called you the fairy godmother of blogging when I was Site of the Day long ago. I found this site when I first started blogging in 2005 and have met so many wonderful bloggers via the meet and greet. I am sad to see it end but know that change is inevitable. I wonder if there will be a domino effect with other bloggers. I sense an ebbing of the medium on the whole.

But we need a blog hub, a big blog water cooler! I loved the mystery and knowing that you and other bloggers are just a click away. I would like to know if you start a new blog, so please keep my address around. I'll be humming Michel my Belle... bon Très bien and thinking of you long after this blog is gone. xocolleen

[Thumper]

Please allow me to paint over my incredible disappointment with gratitude; this blog has been one of my near-daily highlights online for several years. I discovered so many wonderful blogs--much of my blogroll--through the Meet & Greet, exercised stagnant brain matter trying to think of fourteen letter words, and laughed--a lot. Being selected as Site of the Day was a particular thrill that made my inner toddler squeal with delight--just being added to your blogroll was a "Yay!" moment.

I will truly miss your blog, and your Michele persona, and if you do begin another blog I hope I will be allowed to know where it is.

Most importantly, I wish you all the best and all the happiness you can find. Happy Holidays, Michele!

[Becky68]

Goodbye Michele- it's been a lot of fun & I will definitely miss stopping by to see what sort of interesting questions & games you have available.

[Janet]

I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, and of your(?) serious illness.

Thank you, Michele, for allowing comments...at this point in my life, closure feels so good, when all else seems to be a mystery. I will totally and utterly miss you! Take care and enjoy all life has to offer, although, of course, I know you do!

[panthergirl]

As many have also stated, yours was one of the first blogs I discovered when I ventured into this space... and how lucky I was to find you. You are that rare combination of gentility and silliness that one does not encounter very often.

I hope you will count me amongst the people who will most certainly want to hear from you, whether it is to tell me about a new blogplace of yours, or just to say hello from time to time.

It's been said, but I'll say it again: You will be missed.

[Jon, Intergalactic Gladiator]

Aw come on, blogging is like pie, one slice is nice but there's no reason you can't have a little more...

Maybe a little ice cream on it too...

[Mamacita]

Yours was one of the first blogs I found, back in 2004. Yours was always one of the first blogs I read, every day. Yours was always the blog that made me smile, made me cry, and made me feel included in your blogroll of lovely people.

You, of course, were much more than your blog, and since your blog is beloved and far from ordinary, the real you must be even more so.

I hope your circumstances are such that you will eventually come back. What is the Blogsophere without the glue that holds it together: Michele.

[Mar]

I don't remember how I found your blog but I know your M&G was one of the reasons I started a blog in the first place back in 2005, to be part of the fun.

Thanks, Michele, I hope to "see" you again in the blogosphere and good luck to you always. Sending sunshine your way, all the way from Spain.

[Fluke Starbucker]

geesh, you must've happened upon one heck of a book.

If you're serious: Best wishes to you. May the gentle breezes always blow your way and you always find yourself downwind of a bakery.

If you're not: Good one... you had me fooled.

If you start a new blog: Consider a different leg pic with strappier stilettoes and fishnets and let me know where it is.

If you don't start a new blog: Send me the new leg pic anyway, just so I can see if it would've met my approval.

[Pat]

Dear Michele - I am just an elderly Brit who has relished your hospitality and the camaraderie that I have found on your blog.
In spite of my sadness I am so happy for you and hope you will visit sometimes.
God bless.

[Bluegrass Mama]

Michele,

I confess to jumping ship awhile ago when I was feeling swamped, but before I went AWOL I truly enjoyed your blog and the feeling of community that it engendered. Have fun in all the spare time you'll have now, and do add me to that list to notify if you ever start blogging again!

[Tanya (aka NetChick)]

Michele, although saddened by your decision to move away from this blog, I also understand. Having had a private blog for years myself (besides my very public blog at NetChick.net) I know that you eventually move beyond the scope of the original content.

I sincerely hope that if you do decide to carry on, in another place, that you'd drop me a line? I'd love to know you more...

You've made a huge impact on how I blog, and connect to my community. There was a distinct change in some of my posts, due to your influence -- After 11 years of blogging, it was you that made me think differently! Thanks for that.

Thanks for all the late-night laughs, too. I remember the comment games fondly while sharing a virtual glass or two of wine with you all.

Hugs to you, and to your visitors that I met through you.

[Moon]

As much as I am sorry to see this blog go..I can't help but feel that you are leaving on a very high note..not a low one...A new chapter or adventure perhaps...I am happy for you. I want to thank you for this blog...the meet n greet sure got me reading blogs I would otherwise not have seen...many of which are on my regular reading list now...blog friendships forged and more, suring to come..I look forward to seeing who will continue the meet n greet weekends, if someone does...I would if no one else does lol.
Happy new adventures Michele...hopefully some day u will decide to blog again, as u say...and I will be fortunate enough to find it lol.

[Mr. L]

I'll miss this blog. It was one of my regular stops. Feel free to get in touch if you'd like...but in any case, be well, and thank you!

[Abeotch]

Been here, done that. Have a nice life.

[yellojkt]

I'm sad to see you go. I think half of my blogroll and a good number of my readers came from your meet and greet. Your blog was really a great community building forum and it will be missed.

[david - living in the tree house]

hello, and good bye.
I have met some of the best bloggers through you. For that I am ever grateful.
God Bless you
enjoy this next "blog free" phase of your marvelous life.

Shalom,

[flleenie]

Holy crap!! I can't believe it's over. I truly loved visiting your blog and experiencing all of the different and interesting sites. Take care and....Blog on!!!

[mckay]

(((hugs))))

[Pearl]

A lovely digital crossroads you built here. Good to hear you may continue blogging sometime, somewhere. Take care of yourself.

And thanks for all the fish.

[Scarlet]

I haven't been around as long as everyone else, but it only took one or two visits to get hooked on the fun and playfulness you brought to the blogging world here on your site.

I wish you joy and excitement and all those things that make you smile.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a beautiful good-bye post and allowing comments. You have a lot of class.

[rosemary]

I haven't visited for several weeks...maybe longer. I haven't posted much on my own blog. Life gets in the way sometimes. Michele...as I know you.... I am sure you saw that you were a comfort to me at odd hours of the night..... the fun games, questions asked, someplace to go to escape my thoughts. I wish you a full life, fun experiences and love. I have considered you a virtual friend and hope to hear from you as Michele or as your real self. You have given us/me a lovely good-bye, a tease for the future and for sure friendship.

[phoenix]

I also was a first time blogger when I happened upon your blog of fun. That was almost 3 years ago... and I cannot say I have been as faithful as some, but I never removed you from my blogroll as I did many others. I have enjoyed my time here and will miss popping in every once in a while to catch up on you and some old friends.

You will be sorely missed... not the play time, but the witty person behind the blog that made it fun and play time. You once commented on my blog way back when and I can honestly say that was one moment that I will never forget... that "the" Michele came to read me! Thank you for new blogs to read, fun memories and and the special touch that made this a place to come.

Happy Holidays, Michele and may all your wishes come true.

[mw]

A long time ago I started a blog, and you almost immediately pointed people to it. To say it changed my life is an enormous understatement, and you played a part in that.

Three years ago I quit blogging to live that new life I'd found, and this week I came back to blogdom, wrote a post, and then came here to see what has been going on with you and to play the meet and greet. How amazing that I came back in time to see your last post, at least for this blog, and while I'm sad to see that post, I fully understand the need to move on to other things.

Thank you for this place to meet you and others, and thank you for that push you gave long ago. You are pretty special, lovely indeed, and just oh so *good* at being you!

Goodbye for now...
mw

[Courtney]

Michele, it was a privilege to guest post for you, and to join in these conversations. You will be missed.

Having taken my blog private this year, I understand the pull on the heart strings. Midvale School may be members only now, and may soon be no more; who knows? But some of my most fun days on that blog were days when I was site of the day, or playing meet and greet.

Take care of yourself. Don't forget to write.
Courtney