Be Remembered.

I have recently joined the ranks of those who dabble on Facebook. The website where you can find old friends, roommates, ex's, long lost cousins, and other relatives. It is a quick and easy way to stay updated with these people, post photos of your loved ones, and let everyone know within a minute just how you're doing. Isn't technology wonderful?
Unlike this blog.Here, I remain anonymous, to some degree. I have readers from around the world, some I know who they are, and some I haven't a clue. There is a certain amount of peace in that, because I can say pretty much anything here, and to a certain degree no one will take it personally, because y'all don't know me really. You have no idea what I look like or where I live or who my friends are. I find it funny that the guy I passed on the street, earlier today, who was picking his nose, or the girl chatting on her cell, could be reading this, and I would never know.

But in Facebook, you can find all that out and more with a few simple clicks of the mouse. If I add you to my friends list, then you get to see my face, see other info on me, you can find my friends, and my friends' friends.I can poke them(what ever that means), send a message, a drink, a gift, take a compatibility quiz , post a note on their wall, or scare the living daylights out of someone. (For those of you who know who I'm talking about, it's all fine now... hee hee) I admit it was fun finding people I hadn't heard from in a while. Old classmates, and even old flames. For a long time I never thought I would see or talk to these people again. And once I found them, in that moment, I had a choice. I could restart a relationship, or not. With one simple click. My world and circle of friends just got bigger.

It took a simple phone call this morning, that made me feel small. A man in my home town died yesterday of a farming accident. I had gone to high school with his brothers, he dated a friend of mine for a short while. About 9 years ago, was the last time I had spoken to him.
He had come to the ranch to speak to my father.
When I opened the door, he was shocked to see me, for he had not seen me since high school.

"Hi, wow..you're fat.... uh..uh.. you're ah, you're... I mean, you.. you ...you've changed..", he stammered.
I took a small amount of pleasure watching him squirm. "I'll take you to see my father now."
I hopped in the old farm truck and drove him out to the field. We chatted about simple things and then he said "Thanks for the tour", and slammed the door of the truck.

In subsequent years, if we ever crossed paths, there were no more than polite nods , or simple pleasantries exchanged. Not that I ever wanted a friendship with this guy, I was just an acquaintance. And I was okay with that. We traveled in different circles.
And now he's gone. Of course to his wife, ex-wife and 6 kids, he left different memories. He had relationships with them. He was a father, brother, husband and friend to them. The farming community within which he lived, he was a rancher, friend, and businessman. I remember him as the guy who paid me an ass-backward compliment, which kind of sucks.

We have opportunities everyday to make memories for someone, those we love and cherish, and those we are barely acquainted with. We can give a smile, hold a door open. With a few clicks on Facebook we can reconnect with old friends, make new ones, or tell an old flame you're sorry. Even the guy I pass every morning, I know him as the guy who picks his nose. The girl I pass everymorning, is talking on her cell, wearing far too much make up, and walking in flip flops. What we say and do, can leave a lasting impression on a person. Even just one small compliment, might be all, that someone remembers you for.