Remembering Bren: a blogging friend

Blogging is a funny old thing. Those of us who post regularly discover a world of Virtual Friends: bloggers who share our interests, who care about the same kinds of thing, or who inspire and teach us. Sometimes, when we’re lucky, we manage to meet in real life. These people are our blogging friends.

I only discovered Bren about a year ago, at Brashley Photography. I relished her commitment to photography and to her love of sharing her skills and knowledge. She loved flowers, and visiting historic places. We had made tentative plans to meet one day, probably at Fountains Abbey, a place which inspires us both.

Then she was diagnosed with cancer. Instead of having years ahead of her, suddenly she had few. She began to tell her story in Bacardi Girl: My Cancer Journey. And then swiftly, things got even worse than that, and this week, she died.

Leanne Cole has suggested those of us who ‘knew’ Bren should post images of flowers in her memory. I’m posting white ones – apart from my header photo, showing Fountains Abbey at very yellow daffodil time. This is the place where I’d once had high hopes of meeting Bren and her camera.

I hope her family will see these floral tributes: there are many of them. I hope too it helps them realise how much Bren and her work was appreciated in so many countries round the world.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

66 thoughts on “Remembering Bren: a blogging friend”

  3. This is another lovely tribute Margaret. It’s such a shame you never succeeded in meeting up as planned. Your choice of white flowers is perfect, and like you I hope her family gets to see these tributes and read about the impact Bren made on the community of bloggers who followed and were inspired by her work.

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  6. Such a beautiful tribute. And I agree about the connections made through blogging – most virtual, the occasional one turning into a friendship in the real world. I was thinking today of a blogger who I had frequent exchanges with who has disappeared from view.

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  7. It’s always such a shock when a blogger friend dies, even if we’ve never met. Connections can be very strong and their loss keenly felt. A lovely tribute Margaret.

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      1. I’ve just read her cancer diary, it brought tears to my eyes. I wish her son and husband strength to get through this. Such a gruelling time she went through.

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      2. Yes, I found it particularly poignant in view of the all-too-similar journey of my son-in-law. And the – in the end – more positive experience of my daughter.

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  10. I”m so sorry. I just went and read her cancer blog. What a huge shame she didn’t get much time at all. Perhaps if you put a note on that final post that her son wrote to tell him that many bloggers are posting about her, he and Mr. A will gain some comfort. Hugs to you as well. I have also lost some blogging friends, not having met them, but planning to…and it just didn’t happen. It’s as real a loss as a person you knew in real life.

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  11. My heartfelt condolences to to Bren’s family and all her friends. Blogging communities are a wonderful way to build strong and enduring friendships.

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  15. I especially like that first image. I know Bren photographed lots of old castles too, we don’t have any in Australia so I chose the flowers. Wonderful tribute.

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  16. I too, think that honouring someone with what they loved to enjoy is special. As are blogging friends who seem to be there with support when needed most. Beautiful photos, Margaret.

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  17. The death of a dear blogging friend is painful and I am sorry for your loss Margaret. Beautiful tribute. My sympathies to her family.

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  20. Unfortunately, I have never met her but I hope her family will see how much she was loved in the virutal community as well as in the real one.

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  22. I am sorry to read about the loose of your blogging friend – your post is a lovely dedication to her.

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  24. I didn’t know her well, but was shocked to hear she had died. It’s very sad news. I’m thinking of her family, friends, and blogging buddies as pictures of flowers for her appear in my feed. It’s a lovely tribute.

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  25. Margaret, I didn’t know about Bren, but I am saddened to read the news. The blogging community brings us together and we do get to know one another following along. We share ideas, thoughts,. dreams, and sometimes our sorrows. May today find you well. Peace.

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  27. A sad but lovely post Margaret. It’s hard to explain to non bloggers of the relationships and networks that build among bloggers. Perhaps it’s because we so often share our innermost thoughts and passions.

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    1. Yes indeed. It’s a funny old world. But I like it. How would I ever have met an engaging bunch of Aussie grey nomads otherwise?

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