Prior to joining G+, I really had no idea about social media. I mean, I was on Facebook - but my profile was set to friends and family only. Mostly I lurked, wondering what all the fuss was about - and thinking people sure must have alot of time on their hands. And tiny minds.

Then Trey invited me to G+ and I felt like a kid in a candy store. At first I hung out in the shadows, marveling at all the bright, shiny things and the incredibly creative people. But before long, G+ became my place to jump in and try stuff. I experimented - alot. Writing, photography, doing hangout shows, making videos, going to photowalks all over the country - lordy, I felt like my heart was cracked open and light was spilling out all over everything. I connected with other photographers and artists, learned exponentially, met lifelong friends, discovered so much about myself and my art and fell face-first into opportunities I’d likely never have had without the platform.

It. Was. Amazing. I thought: wow, if social media can be this much of a force for good then we’re really onto something! I used to say how G+ could change the world. I mean, why not? It certainly changed ours, right?

Yet, in the back of my mind, I knew it probably wouldn’t last. It was too positive, too good, too pure! And a corporation was still behind it. I thought it might make it for a couple of years - but it exceeded my expectations. Not just with how long it did last, but the depth and breadth of the deep and abiding GOOD that it did.

What I know for sure: my life was completely and utterly changed for the awesome by G+. There is nothing to take its place - and for that, I’m truly sorry.

Early Google+ influencers remember the network's early glory days, and what led to its eventual demise.