Friday, February 27, 2009

Reunion time

This has been a crazy, wonderful, strange last few months. It has been kinda like one of those "this is your life" programs. Everywhere I turn I'm getting re-acquainted with old friends from as far back as I can remember, keeping up with current friends, and even becoming newly acquainted with people I'm just beginning to get to know...all at once. Facebook is part of the reason, and for those of you involved with that cyber social life, you understand. But there's more, too. I just attended a reunion for the group I went to BYU Jerusalem with. That was so fun! Next week I'm hosting a lunch for a group of childhood friends at my house, some of whom I haven't seen in around 20 years. And, yes, I'll admit it, my 20 year high school reunion is coming up this summer. They've set up their own social network on-line where my entire graduating class is emerging out of the woodwork to inter-mingle once more. I gotta tell ya, this whole past becoming present thing is amazing. In many ways it is really fun to be interacting with everyone. In some ways it has been really good for me, as even a few foolishly burned bridges have been re-built. One thing is for sure...I'm glad I don't have any big terrible messes in my past. Lots of stupid mistakes, but nothing earth-shattering.

This all leads me to wonder a few things. First, where do we go from here? It used to be that people from your past stayed there. Are all friendships now current forevermore? This is all new territory for the human experience. Secondly, my concept of the afterlife has changed a bit. I always envisioned it as a big reunion and reconciliation of sorts. Now some of that is happening in this life. Interesting. Thirdly, wouldn't a genealogical version of facebook, devoid of time and space, be intriguing? Locate family members, link generations, pictures, tidbits, get to know your long losts.... I'd love to "friend" my 3rd great-grandmother Magdalena Straubhaar Schwendiman and have a bit of wall-to-wall with her. And I'm sure I'd love the status reports from my great-grandfather Joseph Hatton Carpenter. He had some jolly songs and anecdotes and was somewhat of an English character. Hmmmmm...

6 comments:

Joy & Casey said...

Hi Kristen...
I feel the same way! Facebook is sure a weird AWESOME thing!! Have you heard the song "For Good" from Wicked...love it...that's what it's all about!!! Each person we meet changes our life..so amazing to reflect on who we become thru everyone we meet along our journey! If you haven't heard it go to my blog and listen. You are awesome and I am glad I know you and have the miracle of being able to say hello and see how you are, it's just not realistic to go to lunch with everyone like we would like to!!!

g said...

loved the post, love you, It will be a grand reunion. I'm watching the bridegroom an the music playing while reading your post was magical.

Anonymous said...

Awesome blog, as usual -- but I especially loved your musings about getting on Facebook with ancestors. You gave me a whole new perspective. The whole time warp thing is something fascinating to ponder....
Love, Mom

Becky B. said...

Gosh Kristen, that was almost profound. I loved the genealogy facebook idea. But wouldn't we eventually all be friends with everyone, since we are all interrelated?

Anonymous said...

Hi!
I found your post via your sister Janet. It was a fun thought - but one that got me thinking, and I made a post out of it! See here.

Thanks for some fun on a snowy day.

Donna
PS-Love the family photo in your header!

Colin said...

have you ever been to www.geni.com? it's basically as genealogical facebook as i've seen.