Facebook has some drawbacks. Sometimes I tend to communicate there instead of in person. I'm fairly certain that FB communication is a shadow of human communication. But, sometimes, I have the opportunity to communicate on FB with people I have neither seen nor heard from in years...yes, even decades. Without FB, I might never have had the opportunity to "talk" with them again.
Most of the people I am friends with on FB are people I see on a pretty regular basis. Some are teachers that I have taken on tours, and who have retired or moved to another grade which prevents our annual get-together. I learn when their children marry, or when they become grandparents. I love knowing that about them. There is one teacher in particular from Benton County (I love Benton County students - they are so awed by Downtown Nashville, and so precious) for which I have a special affinity. Maybe it is because we are about the same age. I think more than that, it is that I sense in her a value system similar to mine. Without FB I would not know that she has a new grandchild, that her grandmother just turned 100 or that her husband had surgery back in the summer, and is doing quite well. We communicate through FB, even though I might only hit the "like" button in response to a post.
Some of the people I am now in touch with through FB are from the "old" neighborhood. They have moved to far-flung places, and without FB I would have no idea of their lives. One girl (woman) whose family lived next door to mine some 57 years ago, found me on FB through her sister, who is a FB friend. Through FB, I learned that her sister had a good friend who committed suicide. I could sympathize with her as my life has been touched by suicide as well. My mother was a good friend to their mother. In the last years of their mother's life, Mom did not forget about her. Several months ago, the sister in Florida messaged me. She was coming to town and wanted to see Mom. It worked out, and the two of them had a lovely afternoon together. I wonder if she felt closer to her mother for the time spent with mine. Without FB, that connection would not have been made.
One friend from the "old" neighborhood just became a FB friend this week. I have been friends with his brother on FB for some time. And, let me say, his brother certainly must have a joyful spirit and a zest for enjoying life. His posts just make me smile. Growing up, I was friends with both brothers, but better friends with the younger one. Through FB and Mr. I-Love-Life, I learned that my friend has 4 children, where he lives, what his job is, that their father passed away after suffering severe dementia, and that their dearly loved mother is alive and doing beautifully at age 88. I was so glad to hear that. I remember her well, as a lovely woman who loved her family and lived a life of service.
I imagine you are thinking that I have forgotten the title of this text, but I have not. Over the weekend, I had asked the older brother if he would mind if I did a painting of a photograph that he had posted. Certainly, if I do paint it, it will not look much like the photo, but I wanted him to know how beautiful I found the picture to be. So, we communicated back and forth 3 or 4 times. On Sunday, at church, I looked up and saw a man who I thought might be my friend, the younger brother. But, how could that be? I just figured that I had that family on my mind and my eyes were playing tricks on me. Being the shy and sometimes socially awkward person I am, I could never have made myself walk up and ask, " are you so and so?" Not in my realm of activity.
After I got home, though, I could not get it out of my mind that maybe that was my friend. The last time I saw him was at Opryland at the Tin Lizzie waiting for my children to end their sporadic, side-banging trek around the track. He and I talked for just a few minutes, but he had children of his own to which he needed to attend. So, thanks to FB, I thought I would just see if I could track him down and inquire. Well, it was him. His daughter has been visiting our services for a while. He is friends, with mutual friends. He has been to services there on several occasions over the years. As we continued to "chat" I learned that he has another daughter who lives close by and whose children go to a local private school that I take on my tour every year. I was explaining to him about my job and about a 4th grade teacher at that school who is just one of my very favorite people ever, and lo and behold, his grandson is in her class. Can you say...SMALL WORLD?
I do not want to make Facebook my only form of communication, but I am most grateful for those serendipitous "reunions" that it makes possible.
So, for today, I wish you reconnection with old friends, enjoyment in the shrinking world around us, and
blessings
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