With joy

I've only been part of Facebook for a few months, but so far I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I've been having fun experimenting a bit with the new apps, but I've mainly appreciated the way it helps people connect.



At this point, Facebook has already surpassed many social networking sites of the past (remember Orkut?) because of the size and continuing growth of its user base, and not just college types. I'm surprised by how many of my work contacts I'm finding in the Facebook community. And if they're not there one week, they may very well appear the next.

Yes, I realize that Facebook could just be the flavour of the day. But like Livejournal, the larger it grows, the stronger the competition will have to be to lure users away.



Anyway, today I received a Facebook message from someone who used to know my brother. It made my day. My year, actually.

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"Hi there Debbie,

You don't know me, but I knew your brother well. I stumbled across you here and thought I'd send you a message. I've done very well for myself in my working life, and frankly speaking Jim is the reason. He taught me programming in a special weekend course through BSS, and gave me the bug for what has ended up being my profession my entire career. I have even explained to my children how it was this guy Jim who got me into computers, and how sad I was to hear we had lost him. I often think of him when I look back at where my life ended up, and it gives me a special pause and grin as I remember his infectious smile and excitement with some of the work we did together. He treated me as an equal even though I was considerably younger than him.

All my best to you and your family.

Nigel Carpenter"

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I still grieve for my brother; I will always grieve. But letters like this are a great comfort, and have helped me look back with joy rather than sorrow.


Photo by my Dad.



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