Facebook Friends

I was reminded of the excitement and anticipation I'd felt while unwrapping a gift, as I browsed each list of Facebook friends, hoping to be surprised with a familiar name or face. Almost like a game I'd win, if I could just find one more friend, hidden in the pile of unfamiliar faces. Where's Waldo comes to mind..
Yes, I would call it addictive.
As I set my timer for 45 minutes, I scold myself for spending hours on Facebook each day.
I should be doing something more constructive. After a quick check of my email, I check the timer. Five minutes left...
I reset it for another 45 minutes. Junk Mail! What a waste of time. Ok, I'll just see if anyone sent me a message on Facebook, cause that would mean they had something important to tell me. Ok, three messages, all comments on the messages I left about the message they sent after the prior messages I sent- about my dog tearing her foam bed to pieces and what I should put in my meatloaf.
Yeah, these are important messages, cause everyone needs to vent, and to know how to make a tastey meatloaf. Yes, I could have waited for my husband and kids to come home and see the mess so they could vent with me. Or looked for a recipe from my dusty cookbook collection. But then I wouldn't have the opinions of my friends, or a reason to go on Facebook.
I want to involve my friends in my activities of daily living, my thoughts, my praises, my concerns and hear about theirs as well.
Come to think of it Facebook isn't a waste of time, it is my social time. A time to get to know my friends and acquaintances better. To be able to put their faces with those of their children and spouses. To learn each other's names, hobbies, likes, dislikes, personalities, relatives, schools, jobs, activities, groups they are interested in..
It is a place to build each other up and invite others to your causes. To reunite with long lost friends whom you've thought of often over the years, but felt uncomfortable calling since it had been so long. Didn't want to bother them and their family. Wouldn't know what to say.
Here, you don't even have to think of something to say- you could just send your friends a Piece of Flair button that provides the words for you. or you could just Poke someone. or send them a hug, or throw a snowball at them...
There is more to do on here than in real life!!! The timer's going off again and I haven't even found the perfect Flair yet, much less checked my 150+ friends updates! What if someone is in need of prayer, sick, or says something I will want to comment on..
I better get off here, and go see my friends. They need me! and I need them.;)