I would have to say, Brokenentity, my experience nowadays suggests to me this is pretty-much the way it is. I don't know if it's because people are so busy or what. But, I find, if people don't have some specific reason to call, visit, etc. they just don't. I can't get down on people for this too much though because I know I do the same thing.

There are many internet friends I could just reach out to for no other reason than to say: "hi... how are you?" But do I do it? No, I'm off conquering new territory, so to speak. Maybe technology has something to do with it. There's always something new & potentially interesting on the internet horizon. So the tendency is just to keep jumping from one new experience to the next & to forget about those we've come to know along the way.

Personally I'm always impressed, happy & flattered when someone reaches out to me spontaneously just to say hi. So I guess I would agree with TravelingLady. Maybe you just have to be the one who reaches out. Don't think of it as being attention-seeking. Think of it as expressing caring & concern & as being characteristic of the special person you are. The world could use a few more people with that ability.