The power behind Facebook
Michele did an exceptional job explaining the basics of Facebook and Twitter in our last class, and I’m glad I got to know some co-workers from a few other departments. I wanted to follow the theme of our last class in this post, but I have a feeling that my take will be a rather personal one.
Although I enjoyed facebooking in our class and helping Carolyn open an account, even though she continuously opposed, FB has recently helped me deal with a family issue.
Having a FB account helped me connect and grieve with my family after the unexpected passing of one of my cousins this week. My cousin was 32 years-old and passed away in Mexico during a building accident. The news struck us deeply and being so far away, we all felt close to helpless. Seeing as how my family is scattered all through Texas, California, Georgia, Florida and Mexico – it’s hard to keep up with everyone – after all, life happens.
But FB helped brought us together to remind us that we aren’t alone and that we are all hurting in our own ways. Not to mention, after the news and sharing of information, I got friend requests from relatives I haven’t even met yet! In the midst of a sad moment, I was able to get some comfort from exchanging phone numbers through FB chat, writing long messages to cousins, discovering that many of my cousins friends were also mourning, sharing stories with each other, and in short – FB helped us get a piece of stability in a not so stable time.
I’m not one that can freely speak about such things, but being able to post this on FB and knowing family and friends could hear me really helps. I read up a bit on this and it turns out that I’m not alone in thinking that social interaction can help a grieving process. In the article called, PBS’s ‘This Emotional Life’: Can Facebook Help You Grieve?”, psychologist, Dr. Paula Bloom writes how FB helped her face the news of her father’s passing:
I didn’t inform people on facebook as some kind of exhibitionist (it isn’t like I used Twitter.) I did it because it was a simple, efficient way to let a lot of people know something that I felt was important. It lifted the burden of figuring out how to contact several people, tell them what happened and answer the inevitable “how are you doing” question. Talking about something painful, over and over again, is not necessarily the best way to process it.
Among the many uses of Facebook, it was a comfort to discover it’s ability to connect with loved ones through difficult times.
Here’s to my cousin . . .
we miss you David! ❤
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