It was 8:30 on a Sunday morning.
I was scanning through my Facebook feed and as I was doing so, I noticed the exact moment a friend posted a video to my timeline.
I was gazing at a picture of my son and just as I was taking note of the people who "liked" his new profile picture, the names changed in front of my eyes. My sister liked his picture at the very same moment I was looking at it.
Oh what a feeling it was, knowing that I was sitting still in the quiet of my Sunday morning with my coffee at my side and I knew a friend and my sister were doing exactly the same thing I was doing, at the very same time.
I turned on chat, on the side of my Facebook page and saw at that exact moment in time six other friends and/or family members were all on Facebook.
Back in the days before Facebook I remember thinking how romantic it was, to know two people could be separated by thousands of miles, yet look up at the same sky and see the same moon at the same time. It is rather amazing but it seems rather intrusive, to have the ability to see all those who may happen to be scrolling down their Facebook page at the same moment you are lurking on yours.
Facebook is closing the distance within this great big world of ours. But I still think staring out into the skies above, knowing we are all looking out the same "window" into the vast universe, puts life into perspective better for me.
It is comforting to feel connected despite the miles and time we have been separated from those we know well. I give Facebook credit for re-establishing several connections I thought I had lost. I just hope I never lose sight of the myriad of ways, beyond Facebook, that I can keep in touch with those I wish I knew better and saw more often.
Don't forget the value of a phone call, a note or letter, an email or stopping by for a cup of coffee. Pick up the phone, then gaze out into the sky at the same time as the person on the other end of the line.
It is a small world. Keep yourself connected and engaged with those you value. You will never regret it.
