Online

Can we talk about social media for a minute? I’m not a huge social media person. I don’t have Instagram or TikTok. I don’t read books on a Kindle, and I still print recipes out on paper before I make them.

But the Facebook, now that one I am all over. We started with a joint page back in the day. And then my husband got colon cancer and we started a separate page to keep family and friends updated on his progress. That turned into an infomercial about colon cancer prevention, and I still manage it today reminding people to get screened (www.facebook.com/pikestrong).

We split our Facebook pages years ago. Joe was more interested in posting funny memes and stuff about his interests like cars, Steelers football, and pictures of our dogs. I was more into seeing what was happening in everyone else’s lives, and posting pictures and crazy stories about our dogs too. I also love seeing family pictures, new babies, home remodel updates, and the likes. It’s like you’re a part of each other’s lives even if you live hundreds of miles away from each other.

Lately I’ve used Facebook as a vessel to post these blog entries, and to talk to Joe. I leave notes on his timeline occasionally, letting him know how much I miss him or how hard a day might be. I know people don’t want to see those posts, but I am beyond caring what people think anymore.

Someone actually said something to me about how old and antiquated Facebook is and wondered why I still use it. I’ll tell you why. Because there are days when I post on Facebook and that is the only interaction I have with other people. It’s my connection to the rest of the world. Sure, I see my family and close friends, but beyond that I don’t get out much. And we’ve already established just how lonely I can get. But to be able to get online at 2am and have multiple friends help you walk through a panic attack, offering suggestions to talk you down, that is invaluable to me. To know that life continues, even when mine feels like it’s standing still.

Facebook may just be for us baby boomers. It may be the antique of social media. And while you may find it weird that I post pictures of my dogs or the random butterfly in my backyard, I find it comforting. Comforting to read what your family has been up to. Comforting to see which kid is graduating, who just became a grandparent, or who found a new love, a new job, or a new place to live.

And it’s comforting to leave my Joe little notes on his timeline just letting the universe know I could never forget him.