It is all Facebook's fault

This is my first attempt at a blog, which means I guess I have accepted this is the 21st century. This may also be my last attempt at a blog.

I discovered Facebook through my two sons a couple of years ago, and that has worked out pretty well.  I have reconnected with a lot of old friends, which has reminded me a lot about the value of friendship and keeping in touch with those who are important to you.

When we are kids and teenagers, most of us give very little thought to our future or growing up.  We think the good times will last forever and we will always have the same group of friends.  Friends from school or church or the neighborhood that you knew as well as your cousins in Texas or California.

But most of us head off to college, then move away to another city, and leave behind the people that were so important to us when we were 10 or 16 or 18.  I grew up in St. Louis, but went to college in Arkansas, and have lived in several places besides St. Louis since I graduated from high school in 1975.

Friendships that seemed so important at the time faded from memory, then ultimately disappeared , fogotten like last year's Christmas present from a far away aunt.  New friendships are made, new bonds are forged and our past is just that, past.

Ah, but through the wonders of Facebook, we are suddenly thrust back into our younger years, as friends whose names we only vaguely remember are suddenly wanting to be friends again.  You accept, exchange a few emails, reliving the good times you shared and what has happened in the 30-plus years since you last saw each other.  

Familiarity is a good thing.  Your favorite tennis shoes , your old baseball glove, that favorite pillow or afghan.  There is comfort there, there is peace of mind and security.

Resdiscovering old friends is like that, it reminds you of what you once were, what was once important, what helped forge your personality, what you once loved.    It gives us a sense of belonging to a certain place, at a certain time.

I kind of like this Facebook thing, and if nothing else, it reminded me of old friends who helped make me who I am today.