Pressured by Smellee, one of my oldest and truest friends--I distinctly remember her persistent encouragement after numerous negative responses by me, " You gotta try it Ann, I really think you should." I succumbed. Hard.
Well, here is why I like it. Here's why fb is my "friend." When, in that exact moment, I have an urge, an observation, a strong emotion, a sarcastic remark, when I feel as though my head might explode, I can shout it out! And chances are there's someone out there in Facebook Land that hears me, and feels me, and validates me. Acknowledgement feels good.
As a person who likes to write (and stopped keeping a journal after marriage), it lets old friends and new, maybe even strangers, peek into my life and gives me a voice. And sometimes...people like it. And sometimes they tell me so through a comment, a like, or a Goddamn LOL. And that feels good.
So, while Facebook can be perceived as a disconnect from life or a silly waste of time by some unnamed, non-empathetic people, it's also a loyal "friend" and a connection builder. I can share instantly, a darling photo of my boys being amazing or silly or amazingly silly, and in the next moment I can cheer on a friend's child's accomplishments or commiserate in a similar frustration, I can appreciate a meal well cooked and presented or a well deserved drink in a fancy place with a simple press of a like button. And, well...here we are supporting each other positively, in a way that is pretty incredible. I could go on and on, but I think you get it. So, thank you Facebook and thank you Kelli Bruns.
