I recently delved into the social networking site, Facebook. It began when a friend from a High School Reunion site directed me to it, and the fun started right away. Communicating with friends is one thing--but being re-connected to long lost childhood friends is incredible.
My husband, one of six children, and never one to look back, often asks me what the attraction is that I have with the whole concept of reunions. Why do I reach out to those whose paths had detoured from mine? What do I get from opening up dialogue that ended so many years ago?
He doesn't get that the thread we all share brings us back to a simple time in life. When we played outside for hours on end. When we didn't have to check in every 30 minutes with mom to let her know we were safe. When we could walk to the local convenience store for a Slurpee...And in later years when we drove the streets of town as young adults with little concept of the dangers teenagers face today.
Those memories are the thing. They bring to full circle the present, where I currently am raising our daughters, and being reminded of the fun that childhood exudes. We sometimes forget these things in the midst of BEING parents, cautiously allowing just a little more responsibility to our own children as they grow in years and intelligence levels. I can only imagine what the next few years might bring, these first 9 have been filled with joyful moments.
I converse with some whom I have stayed in touch with--in one way or another--over the years. Some whose parents were close to mine, some who I grew apart from, and rediscovered, and even some whom I haven't even heard of over the past 35 years, or so. But with each discussion, with each post on a wall, I'm brought right back to BEING a child again. With the ability to mentally put myself there, I can wrap myself in the love of that simple time. What an enormously heartwarming tool to bring those distant recollections to the front and center...the right here, right now.
Alternately, I have found there are those who just don't carry the same heartfelt inclination in this re-discovery. Some who prefer to fill a friend list with names, but not extend friendship to it's full meaning. I pity those who lost touch with the elementary games, who've severed the ties that bring us back to the same starting point. I won't dwell on them, rather, I prefer to rejoice in the friendships that re-ignite, that begin from previous acquaintance, and perhaps those that spark from a simple shared moment in time.
Whatever the engine you choose to re-establish yourself with those from your past...I wholeheartedly encourage you to engage in some means of reconnection. My life today, as full as it is, always has room for a bit of my past to become a bit of my future. I don't know why Jeff doesn't get it--but it's my intent to continue that he see the joy that I get, and hopefully that I share with others, in making this very big world just a little smaller. It's yet another means of helping to teach my daughters the beauty of friendships, and the magic of their endurance.
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I loved growing up in Elk Grove, but I didn't enjoy HS at all--except for some of my newspaper experiences. After attending the class of 78's ten year reunion, I pretty much determined reuniting wasn't for me.
However, the people from EGV that facebook has brought back into my life are so welcome, as is the contact I have with some of my son's friends, some of my former fifth graders, and even my son's kindergarten teacher!
"Coffee" with Debbie, Mickey D's with Shannon--a posh Mickey D's-- where I snuck in a BK sandwich, conversing with you (who always donned a quick smile and giggle) on the Net, these are new blessings in my life.
As mean as it sounds, this "social networking" allows me to choose to be in touch with people who were kind to me, allows me to learn who valued me--as I did them-- and not have to suffer those who did neither.
Only good has been stirred, and that is a gift!
I just noticed the link on your FB page and thought I would check it out on my lunch hour.
I have often thought about people from Salt Creek, Lively, and EGHS over the years, tho I have to admit that since moving here to Hawaii 17 yrs ago not so often.
On the rare occasions that I make it back to EG I try to quench the tastes of my childhood. You know the visits to Jarosch Bakery, Malnati's for Deep Dish, driving into the city for an authentic Italian Beef. It's funny those are the things I think of more than the people, who at one time we're the most important thing.
My family is still in the village or close by and that takes up most of my time, and unfortunately most of my trips back we're due to deaths or sickness and did not allow me to play much.
I need to network a bit more, but the time difference makes it hard as well as the fact that I am not under my real name...lol. I will explain that story later.
Thanks for welcoming me back Camille, it is certainly a pleasure to get re-acquainted with you and stir up some good ol memories.
Aloha~
Sue
Mark doesn't "get it" either. At first, it was hard for me to re-connect with many Elk Grove friends. So many memories I had buried away were re-awakened. But after sorting through the tough memories & realizing why, moving & losing touch with almost everyone 2 days after graduation, my mom's illness & all that transpired during & after...I, too am glad I've found most of all my old friends & the "simple times", as you put it!! Now, instead of wincing at a memory, I can laugh again at the fun & silly times we all had. Most of all I love celebrating what we've all accomplished & still are, in our lives!!
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