We all know social media can be a minefield. Between unwanted advertisements, random messages, and trolls, there’s no shortage of bad content.
But on those rare occasions when you connect with someone, the social part of social media can be fun.
The Ups and Downs of Social Media
I’ve made connections with new people on various platforms, people I didn’t know before engaging with them over common interests and local events. And when it comes to the trolls, it’s easy to block them.
My preferred social media platforms are now Twitter and Instagram. Facebook, on the other hand, has become a bit more of a challenge. Suffice it to say I’ve had to unfriend or mute some people over the last two years. While my Facebook use has declined as of late, I keep my personal profile active. Like it or not, it’s still the easiest way for me to keep in touch with family and friends who are spread out.
Facebook certainly has caused more moments of eye rolling than other platforms, but there is still a good side to this platform. And that side became more important over the last two weeks.
Remembering Jason
Like many, I lost contact with high school friends after graduation. I moved to a different state. But thanks to Facebook, I have reconnected with a handful of my classmates.
One of those I reconnected with was Jason. I first met him in 8th grade when I moved to Oklahoma. We were in band together. And he was one of the few people who didn’t make fun of me for being the “new kid.”
Throughout high school, Jason was one of those people who didn’t care what group you were in – the Jocks, the popular kids, the band geeks, etc… He was friends with pretty much everyone. He had an infectious sense of humor and always had a positive outlook despite his own health issues.
After high school, like many of us, he started college, started working, and had a daughter. He continued to be friends with everyone he met. He had a reputation for being kind and generous to everyone. Jason was basically one of those big teddy bear type guys.
When he passed away recently after a short battle with COVID-19, those of us who knew him were devastated. Although I hadn’t seen Jason in person since we graduated, I still considered him a friend.
Thanks to Facebook, when Jason’s daughter, Gabby, first posted her dad was in the hospital, people began praying and sending messages of encouragement. We started fundraisers to help Gabby with expenses. And when she shared that Jason had passed away, stories flooded in about people’s memories of Jason. There were stories from high school, stories of concerts and conventions, and stories of random acts of kindness Jason orchestrated. We’ve talked about his love of the Chicago Cubs and Pearl Jam. And the countless number of autographed Funko Pops figures he had collected. But mostly, we’ve talked about his heart for others and how much he adored his daughter.
Being Social In an Online World
Thanks to Facebook, when Jason’s daughter, Gabby, first posted her dad was in the hospital, people began praying and sending messages of encouragement. We started fundraisers to help Gabby with expenses. And when she shared that Jason had passed away, stories flooded in about people’s memories of Jason. There were stories from high school, stories of concerts and conventions, and stories of random acts of kindness Jason orchestrated. We’ve talked about his love of the Chicago Cubs and Pearl Jam. And the countless number of autographed Funko Pops figures he had collected. But mostly, we’ve talked about his heart for others and how much he adored his daughter.
Thanks, Jason, for all the sports discussion and lighthearted ribbing about our teams. Thanks for being decent to me when I moved to Oklahoma. And thanks for caring more about people than status, background, appearance, or all the other things that people let get in the way of being social.
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