As I reflect on my upbringing, having an unconventional mom was a blend of delight and embarrassment. My mother, whom I’ll refer to as Carol, made some questionable parenting choices—like taking me to my first R-rated film at the tender age of three. I vividly remember sitting in the theater for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, surrounded by adults and feeling utterly thrilled. Such memories are irreplaceable, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
However, Carol’s eccentricities extended beyond movie choices. She would exercise in high heels and encourage us to drink soda in the morning if the milk supply was low, just so the dog wouldn’t feel let down. When I left for college, her long-winded messages on our answering machine often revolved around her latest philosophical insights, inspired by her favorite TV personalities. Yet, nothing prepared me for the whirlwind that ensued when Carol decided to embrace modern technology by joining Facebook.
Before diving into the chaos that followed her social media debut, it’s crucial to acknowledge that Carol is incredibly bright. She’s a writer, educator, and passionate reader, capable of engaging in intense political discussions. Unfortunately, mastering the intricacies of the Internet has eluded her.
At 71, after years as a stay-at-home mom, discovering a platform to express her unique opinions and ideas was a daunting prospect. Navigating today’s technology can be a challenge for anyone—especially for those from an era when phone calls were routed through an operator. For Carol, the learning curve felt like a complex science experiment, poised to explode at any moment, leaving innocent bystanders in a cloud of confusion.
While 2017 will be remembered by many as the year Donald Trump took office, my family will forever associate it with Carol’s transformation into an enthusiastic Facebook user. Since her foray into the platform, she has shared an astonishing number of images—approximately 4,376,932 pictures of birds, rainbows, and adorable puppies. During our first intervention, when my siblings and I expressed concern over her incessant sharing, she simply replied, “Oh, my followers would be devastated if I didn’t share what brings me joy.”
It became evident that Carol had found her calling. We could almost visualize her newfound sense of importance, channeling her inner Sally Field as she exclaimed, “They like me… they really like me!”
Our lives took a turn for the amusing as Carol began to leave comments such as “Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Judy” on the walls of complete strangers, or mistakenly complimenting friends on their “great-looking moms,” when, in fact, it was their sisters. The highlight, however, is her tendency to narrate every photo we post, peppering her comments with a plethora of unrelated emojis.
For instance, if I upload a picture of my son drumming, she will comment, “That’s my grandson, Liam, playing the drums. Liam is 9 years old. He loves pizza, football, and once held a tarantula at camp (dolphin, rainbow, fire truck, cupcake, bicycle).” What was intended to be a simple snapshot morphs into an elaborate documentary.
Though her enthusiasm can be overwhelming, it stems from a place of love for her family. Whether or not anyone is interested, those who follow Carol are often subjected to her unfiltered, stream-of-consciousness musings. My mother’s quirks have transitioned from the physical world to the digital realm, providing endless entertainment.
I also want to commend Carol and others of her generation who are bravely navigating this fast-paced technological landscape. I’m genuinely grateful that she didn’t shy away from engaging with the modern world. As we, her children, grow increasingly concerned for her well-being, she can still participate in life’s experiences from the comfort of home. It provides peace of mind, knowing her adventures are contained within the less hazardous realm of cyberspace.
So, Mom, keep up the good work. You’re bringing joy to the world, one amusingly misplaced comment at a time.
For further exploration of family-building options, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re curious about home insemination kits, you can read about it here.
Summary: The humorous journey of a 71-year-old mother embracing Facebook highlights the generational gap in technology use and the joy her quirky online presence brings to her family. Despite the challenges, her efforts showcase the importance of staying connected in the digital age.