Things move so quickly in this crazy world it's easy to dismiss technology and new ideas... although that is probably something "older" people have always done. Facebook is typical of this but I've been grateful for the wonders of social networking over the past couple of weeks. Over thirty years ago I was good friends with a guy called Robin. We were part of the same group of friends at university... this is us all that time ago in a wine bar celebrating my 21st birthday. . (I'm not entirely sure why I appear to be wearing a nightdress but I assume it was fashionable at the time!)
Over the years we kept in touch with Christmas cards and a very occasional get together. He moved to New Zealand, married and had sons. Things didn't work out, he travelled the world with work and is now in Alaska having remarried. I guess we've seen each other less than half a dozen times since that photo was taken. But more recently we've been in touch via Facebook. Then last week there was the earthquake in Christchurch and not only did Robin and I both find out that our respective sons were okay through Facebook, but we managed to put them in touch with each other and Joe has been staying with Nick in his Christchurch home over the past couple of days.
Thirty years ago we would never have imagined our sons would have been in the same city on the other side of the world in an earthquake, never mind that we would have introduced them via the internet and they would have hung out together. It's a crazy world and it's easy to dismiss Facebook but I think it's brilliant.
Over the years we kept in touch with Christmas cards and a very occasional get together. He moved to New Zealand, married and had sons. Things didn't work out, he travelled the world with work and is now in Alaska having remarried. I guess we've seen each other less than half a dozen times since that photo was taken. But more recently we've been in touch via Facebook. Then last week there was the earthquake in Christchurch and not only did Robin and I both find out that our respective sons were okay through Facebook, but we managed to put them in touch with each other and Joe has been staying with Nick in his Christchurch home over the past couple of days.
what a great story, your hairdo looks quite up to date, I had a dress similar to this one as well
ReplyDeleteHow lovely - it just shows that if you make good friends, you never really lose them.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you don't a day older - although your dress sense has improved. x
That 'nightdress' looks very Laura Ashley to me. I think I had one the same!
ReplyDeleteSo glad your two are safe- what a dreadful thing you must have been through together, waiting. A warm fuzzy story- thank you!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more Gina, though I am a self-confessed dinosaur where technology is concerned. This is a great story - love the nightdress by the way!
ReplyDeleteWow -- What a fantastic story! And I love the old pictures -- you look adorable in your dress!
ReplyDeleteThat is just a brilliant story Gina!
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to dismiss Facebook and the like but they do have their uses.
Vivienne x
I wore dresses like that back in the day!
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool. I love the online social network(s).
ReplyDeleteI like your dress, in a couldbeanighty kind of way. Look at those crazy hairstyles though!
oh that photo takes me back to a younger time. what a wonderful story Gina. I think we should make an effort to keep up with technology. it's proved itself in your case. i don't want to get left behind and be an old has been (yet!) i managed to avoid dresses and lived in hugely wide flares and cheesecloth shirts.
ReplyDeleteTechnology has its uses - sometimes! What a lovely story with a very happy ending. Great photos, you have a lovely warm smile! x
ReplyDeleteHooray, hooray for facebook, hooray for nighties, hooray for Robin, hooray for making new friends. This is such a heart warming post and a great lesson in being open to new ways to connect or re-connect to our fellow man! xxx
ReplyDeleteI think it is fab too. I keep in touch with a lot of family that way and they can see our kiddies grow on there via photos - a fab tool for keeping in touch.
ReplyDeleteI'm not into facebook, but it makes the world seem smaller doesn't it. Lovely story.
ReplyDeleteGosh that is really quite amazing - what a good story and how lovely to have stayed in touch all this time.
ReplyDeleteMy girls will tell you I always say
ReplyDeletethings happen for a reason...sometimes its hard to know what that reason is but hopefully good always
follows bad
it certainly is a small world !!...x
ReplyDeleteWow. What a story. Thanks goodness for technology.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. I had a very similar dress and i don't think you have changed much.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant describes it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteBtw, it looks like you were the life of the party in those pictures!
I love Facebook
ReplyDeleteit's helped me keep in contact with so many friends whilst we were travelling..I'm so happy for you and your son
Take care
As someone said to me recently: "the world gets smaller". Incidentally, you have hardly changed facially since your twenty first.
ReplyDeleteGreat story & a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteLove your photos... very glam.
Men are big on 'Mo-vember' here (grow a mo during November to raise awareness for men's health issues). The young man in the last photo has a sterling example - made me smile!
What a wonderful heart warming story! As someone with lots of family and friends living in a different country, I have grown very fond of facebook!
ReplyDeleteLovely story and I'm so pleased your son is safe.x
ReplyDeleteI joined Facebook 3 yrs ago when my daughter moved to the UK..I also reconnected with old friends from school & when I went over there last year we had a mini reunion it was so good to see everyone....FB is an inanimate object problems are with the people usng it... it should be monitered for younger kids/teenagers ....
ReplyDelete