5 reasons your friend may have ghosted you, because we know you need closure
5 Reasons Your Friend May Have Ghosted You - HelloGiggles

I found the above article helpful. I recently ran into a friend (in the offline world) who "ghosted" me. Many months ago, I reached out with the following message:
"Haven't heard from you in a while. And that is okay Just want to say that if I have done anything in the past to upset you or make you uncomfortable, feel free to share with me. No pressure. I wish you well."

She replied promptly with the following:
"No you have done nothing wrong at all. I'm just in a bad place right now and not doing so well. I'll be in touch when I can."

I replied and said no problem at all and wished her hope and good health.

I never heard from her again. Six months went by. Recently I ran into her, by chance, in a public place. It was extremely awkward. I would have rather just said hello and moved on. But we talked for about 20 minutes or so. She did not look well and mentioned that she has dealt with two deaths in her life recently. At the end of the conversation, she made an odd comment:
"Well I would be willing to meet up again if that is something you want."
I found the phrasing and tone odd. As though she'd be doing me a favor or something. I don't need any favors or pity I did not respond directly to that comment. I just politely wished her well and left.

I don't mind sharing with you folks that since I ran into her in person, I have felt quite hurt and sad. My depression has been worse for about the last 3-4 weeks so I don't feel too well anyway (prior to seeing her). I also take responsibility for my own feelings. It is not her fault that I feel hurt and sad. And I will take time to work on my feelings. I have no desire to contact or meet her again. I will leave it there and wish her peace, as I do for everyone.

I just want to share this with the PC crew. I sincerely wish that in the offline world, when we have known someone and been a close friend for several years, if someone needs to end the friendship, I wish it could be done respectfully and not via passive-aggressive "ghosting." I find that really quite juvenile and unnecessary.

However, the article I linked above really helped me. My friend clearly did not feel that she could be direct with me. Even though I would have felt much better about that, she was not able to end things that way and I accept that. I practice what I preach. After a date or an offline friendship, if I needed it to end I found a kind way to tell the person directly. After one date with a nice guy, who I simply wasn't interested in seeing again, when he asked me for a 2nd date, I said: "I enjoyed meeting you but I don't see this developing. I wish you well." He immediately replied with: "Thank you very much for being honest and letting me off the hook. so I'm not wondering for the next few days. You are a true lady!" I have never ghosted a date or friend and never will. It does not lie right with my value system. But I am learning from younger folks that ghosting is quite common or even becoming a norm in society. I find that both sad and a bit disturbing.

Note that I am not referring to PC and ignore lists. No problem there at all. I would never deem that as "ghosting." That's a completely different dynamic from offline interactions. If you would like to share your experience of being "ghosted" by an offline friend, I'd appreciate it. I could also use a hug if anyone has one to spare.

I continue to wish everyone peace and hope.