Mom is finally getting stronger. A bout with double pneumonia and renal failure nearly gave my mom the old one-two. But she’s a fighter and her smile is back, and she’s walking and swimming three times a week now.
But she’s a little lonely, having to stay indoors more than out, as her lungs recuperate.
I drove to her home last weekend and spent the afternoon with her. And she told me that she had one regret: she misses her grandchildren. Some are in Colorado. Others are grown and newly married and in transition.
What’s a grandma to do? she asked.
I told her about the social network, first popular among college students. I explained how all of her grandchildren had a facebook (as do her daughters and one son and her son-in-law). I took her to my Facebook page and showed her how I could connect with any of them in a heartbeat, and she was excited when I took her to Mitch’s page (my nephew, her grandson) and showed her the proposal pictures from last weekend.
Yes, another wedding. : )
Mom is great on the computer. She beats herself up sometime, thinking she should know more, failing to realize that most 70 year-olds aren’t e-mailing, transferring pictures, faxing, and even designing a cabin. She has done all of that.
Within moments, I had her signed up on Facebook. I was delighted when I went to her page earlier today and saw that 9 of the 11 grandchildren were already leaving messages on her wall.
“Hey, Mee Maw!”
“OMG, Mee Maw. You’re on Facebook. How cool is that?”
“Mee Maw! Look at you!”
And so on.
It was a small thing, connecting her to the cyberworld of her grandchildren. But it’s so fun to watch her run with it.
She’s one strong, smart lady–my mom. And now she’s the Facebook Mee Maw, and there’s no stopping her. Watch out, Facebook world!
Hey, come see me at Facebook. To connect with me on Facebook, go to http://facebook.com and key in the ID “Suzanne Eller”. To connect with the Facebook Mee Maw, key in the ID “Karen Morrison” and let her know I sent you.
6 Comments
Suz
very fun. I have not yet ventured into the Facebook world (or any other social networking sites). My kids have not yet either (they’re 12 and 14). But I’m thinking it might be good to learn about it so when they want to do it, I have a grasp of it.
With the work on my desk this summer, tho, I think I will put it off until after the book deadline!
ok, boomer babes–I went on facebook too. if Mee Maw can do it, I can. And suz recommended me to a bunch of her “friends” –some of whom I have other connections with –Wheaton alum, and so on.
It’s a beautiful day so I’ve been out in the garden. I could see how this could be a lot of fun, but could also take a lot of my time.
as an author, Suz, what do you see as the benefits of doing this? do you keep in touch with readers this way?
I don’t do this as an author, Keri. I do it to keep in touch with my children, my friends, and my family. For that, it’s wonderful, especially keeping in touch with old friends that I had lost touch with. It’s purely personal for me.
Suz, I am so happy Mee Maw can do this. Oh how I wish my father and FIL had stayed up with technology. It’s exactly what they need for their longs days spent indoors.
This is so cool! So glad your mom is feeling better and taking care of herself and what a great idea to introduce her to Facebook!
Thanks, Dianne. It’s so good to hear from you. We really love the women who stop by and hold a conversation with the Boomer babes. I appreciate you!