You CAN go back!

I just did not have enough to distract me from my real life, so I went ahead and joined Facebook. I've had friends put it on my 'to do' list for at least a year now. I get secret pleasure out of being rebellious; however, I was sick for 3 weeks and just COULD NOT find another way to avoid it. So off I went...bit the bullet...took the plunge...slapped the hippo...(made ya think, huh?)

I was really thinking that I'd be able to stalk my current friends by participating on Facebook. (They've gotten really tricky at avoiding my calls, emails, and drive-by's. Time for a new strategy.) I hadn't even really considered un-earthing the friends of yester-year. But about 3 days into the biting hippo plunge, I suddenly discover all of these people from my past, and within 24 hours, we're TALKING (slash typing). Oh my, what nostalgia--I'm suddenly craving leg warmers and big hair and fretting over what I'll wear to the next dance. But better than that (as if it gets better than leg warmers), I'm reconnecting with these people who have shaped my life significantly, and it's exhilarating!

Take my friend Cheri. Becky, Cheri and I did EVERYTHING together from middle school right through until college. Then Cheri went to Idaho for school, while Becky and I went to Utah. Sadly for Becky, this destroyed any chance she had of shaking me off. But Cheri got away from me, and I've only seen her a few times in the last 20 years--not at all in the last 10 years. I had no idea where she was, even.

20 seconds of searching on Facebook, and there she was. Amazing thing is, she'd moved back to our hometown, and I was scheduled to visit there in just a few days! Once I got to town (where Becky also lives) Becky, Cheri and I got together, and WAHOO we had fun! Here we are (Me, Becky, Cheri):



It's just amazing how quickly we were right back in high school--oh the giggling and squealing! But we also had such great discussions about kids and life and overcoming hurdles. It was hard to leave. I was ready to drive my Dodge Colt home, say goodnight to my folks, and do it all again the next day and the next and next... It's just too bad the Dodge Colt is in the junk yard, my folks moved away, and there's a major street running through my old bedroom now. Sigh.

I had such a great time. It was hugely 'healing' to be with my best girls again. And Becky's family were great hosts (as always). I pulled a quick one by making Becky buy all sorts of paint and then sneaking out of town. Heh-heh :)

I've struggled many times when I've come home from vacations. I just can't re-engage with my my super-glamorous life for weeks. But not this time! I feel rested and strong and complete. Thank you Becky! Thank you Cheri! Thank you Facebook! I love you all.