Thanks Facebook!

     A childhood friend reappears in my life - and I'm talking about the first neighborhood we lived in when I was in the first grade friend.  Haven't thought about that time in my life in a very long time!  And if she had not jogged my memory I would not have remembered other  friends from that time period either.  Sad but true. I use the excuse that we have moved around so much I have found it difficult to keep up with people from years past. That is a regret, but just imagine the elation and joy I felt when I figured out who this mystery person was from years gone by!
     One day as I was reading the posts on my Facebook page, I came across a post from someone that I did not know at all.  I assume (and that is a dangerous thing to do) that I had to approve this friend on Facebook, and I do not remember doing that either.  Her picture did not ring a bell, and after fifty some years I'd like to think that is normal.???  Her post went something like, "I remember eating sloppy joes at your house.  We never ate things like that at my house." Well, that made me think,  "What?  "That must have been when we lived on Alder St." I said to myself. "That was a hundred years ago."  "No that couldn't be,"---so I went on reading the other Facebook  posts, thinking I would come back to her post later.  I got distracted and did not remember the post until 2am the next morning.  Now I could not go back to sleep-phew! I hate when that happens.  So I got up and went to my computer and found my Facebook page.(Some things never go to sleep.)  I had become somewhat alarmed since I did not remember "friending" this person. I wrote back to her and asked if we could e-mail each other so she could jog my memory in a more private format.  She was happy to do that, and so our journey into memory lane began. When she told me her maiden name I immediately went back in time, remembering the tiny little girl that lived one street over from my childhood home. She had a beautiful smile, dimples and a spunky little personality. 
     She told me the names of the teachers we had together and what had happened to some of the classmates we had in our classes. She mentioned names that I had long ago "packed away."   She shared about her family members and her children and I did the same. Even though I did not recognize her face, she kindly said, "Oh I would have known you anywhere!  You have not changed at all!"  Really? Is that possible? Anyway, she surely lifted my spirits.
     This was a wonderful story and memory to share with my 87 yr. old father who remembers more than I do. He added great details that I had missed as a child. We laughed and laughed and shared good memories of living in that old neighborhood. Although I've heard some harrowing stories about the social media, this social media incident has enhanced my life in a most wonderful way. Thanks Facebook. 
I hope I get to visit in person with Linda Wilkerson real soon.