we've all read that the young are abandoning this method of communication. if that's what they want to do then let them. but as someone they probably consider "elderly" I must declare that for me it's become a vital link to staying in touch.
as often as not FB is where I learn of deaths. not just the famous but also of people from my personal past. it's a place which has become a forum for my fellow writers & artists to share our work & news of our careers. it was on FB that I discoverd that someone was breaking up because his partner cheatd on him. & it's on FB that I read the grim details of a friend fighting cancer with courage & humor.
I continue to unearth people from my past at the same time that I connect with new friends. I'm one who never felt comfortable with telephones. I simply don't know what people talk abt for hours as they drive & shop. but I value written communication. I was a world class letter writer in those long ago days when people used what we now call snail mail. I no longer write long letters but I toss off tidbits via e-mails or on FB with ease & often even joy. & as I age this becomes important. it wd be so easy to become a recluse. face to face seems to happen less. I value my interaction with my 2 dear neighbors & those guys with whom I hike. even the people with whom I exchange a few words at the gym. without all of them I cd become an old man shuffling from room to room talking to myself. but add to these "in person" connections all those with whom I interact online & I have a rich life indeed.
the reason I'm committing this ramble to words is what happend last nite. I met Randy Gener once. we didn't even interact that much. but after becoming friends on FB I've been reading his posts for a few years. he -- like others I don't know well in actuality -- became a real person. I think I have something like 700 FB friends. I've never had 700 friends in my life. & not all of these commit themselves equally to revealing parts of their lives. but for that core who do I feel a real kinship. I look forward to posts. so after learning of the savage attack on Randy I wrote abt it & went to bed. but thinking abt it made sleep impossible & I'm sure contributed to the bad dreams that woke me at 4.
I don't care if the Justin Beiber generation is dropping FB. but for all those with whom I use it to communicate -- don't you dare. let's continue to share what we think important. o sure every once in a while I wince when some folks impart a bit too much abt their relationships. & sometimes I wonder if even I can tolerate another cute cat picture. but considering it all FB has become part of the fabric of my life. many more people read & digest what I offer there than on this blog (which is why I'll immediately link this entry on my page).
so -- my 700 plus friends -- thank you for being part of my life. stay with me. keep enriching me.
as often as not FB is where I learn of deaths. not just the famous but also of people from my personal past. it's a place which has become a forum for my fellow writers & artists to share our work & news of our careers. it was on FB that I discoverd that someone was breaking up because his partner cheatd on him. & it's on FB that I read the grim details of a friend fighting cancer with courage & humor.
I continue to unearth people from my past at the same time that I connect with new friends. I'm one who never felt comfortable with telephones. I simply don't know what people talk abt for hours as they drive & shop. but I value written communication. I was a world class letter writer in those long ago days when people used what we now call snail mail. I no longer write long letters but I toss off tidbits via e-mails or on FB with ease & often even joy. & as I age this becomes important. it wd be so easy to become a recluse. face to face seems to happen less. I value my interaction with my 2 dear neighbors & those guys with whom I hike. even the people with whom I exchange a few words at the gym. without all of them I cd become an old man shuffling from room to room talking to myself. but add to these "in person" connections all those with whom I interact online & I have a rich life indeed.
the reason I'm committing this ramble to words is what happend last nite. I met Randy Gener once. we didn't even interact that much. but after becoming friends on FB I've been reading his posts for a few years. he -- like others I don't know well in actuality -- became a real person. I think I have something like 700 FB friends. I've never had 700 friends in my life. & not all of these commit themselves equally to revealing parts of their lives. but for that core who do I feel a real kinship. I look forward to posts. so after learning of the savage attack on Randy I wrote abt it & went to bed. but thinking abt it made sleep impossible & I'm sure contributed to the bad dreams that woke me at 4.
I don't care if the Justin Beiber generation is dropping FB. but for all those with whom I use it to communicate -- don't you dare. let's continue to share what we think important. o sure every once in a while I wince when some folks impart a bit too much abt their relationships. & sometimes I wonder if even I can tolerate another cute cat picture. but considering it all FB has become part of the fabric of my life. many more people read & digest what I offer there than on this blog (which is why I'll immediately link this entry on my page).
so -- my 700 plus friends -- thank you for being part of my life. stay with me. keep enriching me.
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