Here I am in the United States and I am sitting in my office typing this post for my blog. I will mention my blog on Facebook and anyone who sees my website will be able to view this and read it. Guests from anywhere in the country sitting in their homes or offices or sitting on their beds drinking their coffee or eating an apple … can read what I am writing today. All of this is happening like magic, flying on a carpet to you. Isn’t that truly amazing and thrilling? I think it is. Websites that express thought to anyone who wants to take a moment to read or reflect on what is being written. Then, if you wish, you may respond back and give me your opinion. I love this part of modern life.
My youngest son told me about Facebook. I have no recollection of when I signed up. Did he help me? Did I do it myself? Why did I sign up in the first place? My mind is a blank. One thing I remember is I didn’t know what the whole Facebook thing was about. Why would anyone find this interesting? Then I noticed one of my very good friends from elementary school through college and beyond was on Facebook. OK, now it started to be a bit more interesting. Still I hardly ever looked at my account. I just didn’t get it, until … maybe a few years later, when one, by one, friends from my past, sent me friend requests. How much fun is that? Girls, who were giggling with me at sleepovers 55 years ago, are suddenly adults! The same kids that attended birthday parties and friends who went bowling and ice-skating and yes to dances in your life again. Boys that you knew from 6 years old to 18 years and some beyond into their 20’s, and now you get to see them as husbands, fathers and YES EVEN GRANDFATHERS and I view photos of their children and grandchildren. Okay, granted I became slowly at this point, slightly hooked on Facebook. It has been a real addition to my week to visit old friends. But wait … later I found out that there are groups you can join… and join them I did. I am in wonderful groups, with lots of darling, interesting, people. I am in movie groups, fan club groups, and Chicago groups… (Love, the Chicago groups … Chicagoans are so much alike … nice, hardworking, food loving, kind, thoughtful, people) One of my very favorite groups is one that focuses on history from the mid-1800’s to the 1920’s. There are so many lovely, sweet, educated, history lovers. By now you might have guessed that I am sort of in the midst of an addiction to Facebook. I CAN’T HELP IT. IT IS SO INTERESTING!
New Friends
While in the midst of my Facebook addiction I have found a new benefit, which is meeting new, lovely, interesting friends. I get friend requests from women, men, old and young people mostly from the members of the groups that interest me. Here is the real surprise of this Facebook friend thing. I think of these people as real friends. I laugh at their jokes, I celebrate their anniversaries, their new grandchildren, and we all wish each other “Happy Birthday” once a year. We answer each other’s questions and we actually worry about each other if someone becomes ill. I never would have believed that these strangers on a page would become real people to me. There is the man from Chicago that loves boats , and a lovely man also from Chicago that says the nicest things to me that always makes me smile. There is the funny lady who always posts amusing quotes and the lady who posts gorgeous gowns and jewelry. I know one very cute, okay handsome, man from the South who loves to flirt and he always makes me blush. The fascinating, intellectual, man that loves Buenos Aires. I will tell you a secret. I have managed to put my pals in groups in my mind. Some of these friends would be “Martini After Work Friends” Some would be “Luncheon on a Saturday, Friends” Some would be “Let’s go to Afternoon Tea Friends” and some are just “Old Friends That Are Just Like Brother and Sister, Friends”, because we have known each other for so many years. There are the serious left wing political and very caring friends. There are the right wing and often-religious also caring group. There are the Independents, like me, who like some policies of one side and some policies of the other side.
The Sad Truth
A few months ago I became friends with a woman on Facebook. She is fun and adventurous. She posted pictures almost everyday. I celebrated with her on her anniversary. She has a wonderful marriage. They are a loving, lovey-dovey married couple. She has great friends and a wonderful family. She reads my blog and she has often commented on it to me. I was so flattered. I did know that she went into the hospital a short while back. She posted from the hospital and it absolutely did not look serious. She was never serious. Then about two weeks ago I saw a post and actually I couldn’t figure it out? It stated that there was a memorial for her and the post gave directions to the event. I was in denial. I thought it might be a joke or a mistake. I actually asked the question on the post. But no, it was true. I was in shock. It took me awhile to write in her post to say how sorry I was and how I missed her. I realized at that moment that these friends have become real to me.
Not just words on a page. Real people.
So thank you Facebook and thank you Facebook Friends. You are now real to me. Last week, I mentioned that we (my Facebook Friends an I) should meet in some desirable city for a meet and greet or a big party. Maybe it is more fun to be anonymous? I’m not sure. I will have to discuss this with my friends on Facebook.
(BTW my son in college says Facebook is for old people. Thanks, Sweetheart!)
Until Next Week … I forgot I will be busy next week. See you the week after.
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