Having a mom with a unique perspective is a double-edged sword. My mother, whom I’ll refer to as Carol, has always had her quirks. For instance, she took me to my first R-rated film at the tender age of three. I vividly recall watching The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and realizing I was the only child in the theater. It was an experience I cherished and wouldn’t trade for anything.
However, Carol’s eccentricities didn’t stop there. From exercising in high heels to telling us that soda was an acceptable substitute for milk if we were running low—because the dog loved milk and didn’t want him to be let down—her parenting style was certainly unconventional. When I left for college, she would leave lengthy messages on our answering machine, filling us in on her latest insights inspired by her favorite philosophers: the women of The View. But nothing could prepare me for the whirlwind that ensued when Carol decided to embrace modern technology and, brace yourself… join Facebook.
Before diving into the chaos that ensued—primarily for my siblings and me—it’s crucial to emphasize that Carol is quite intelligent. A writer and educator, she is an avid reader and can engage in intense discussions on current affairs. Yet, she struggles to navigate the complexities of the internet.
For a 71-year-old who spent much of her life as a stay-at-home mom, discovering a platform to express her quirky opinions and ideas was both exhilarating and daunting. Modern technology can be a challenge for anyone, and for someone from an older generation who remembers using an operator to make calls, adapting to today’s devices is akin to a science experiment gone awry—one that inevitably splatters everyone in its vicinity with unintended consequences.
The year 2017 will be remembered in my family as the year Carol became the ultimate Facebook enthusiast. Since joining, she has shared an astounding number of images—about 4,376,932—depicting everything from birds to rainbows and adorable puppies. When my siblings and I held our first intervention to address our concerns about her excessive sharing, Carol responded, “My followers would be heartbroken if I didn’t share all the things that bring me joy.”
It became apparent that Carol had found her true calling. We could almost envision a halo of significance around her as she exclaimed, channeling her inner Sally Field, “They like me… they really like me.”
Our luck didn’t stop there, as we were graced with her comments wishing “Happy Birthday” to random acquaintances or mistakenly complimenting a friend’s mother under a photo of their sister. More amusing was her tendency to narrate our posts with a series of unrelated emojis.
For example, if I shared a photo of my son playing the drums, she’d comment, “That’s my grandson, Leo, playing the drums. Leo is 9 years old, loves pizza, football, and once held a tarantula at camp (beach ball, panda, rainbow, fire truck, rain cloud).” A simple snapshot transformed into an epic saga.
Her intentions are pure; she genuinely loves her family and wishes to express her pride and gratitude. However, if you follow her or anyone associated with her, you’ve unwittingly become a captive audience to her unfiltered thoughts and random insights. My mother’s quirks have seamlessly transitioned from the real world into the digital realm.
However, I must commend my mother and all the “Carols” of her generation for their efforts to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. I’m actually thankful that my mom wasn’t deterred by the challenges of keeping up with the modern world. As she ages, and my siblings and I grow increasingly concerned about her well-being, she can still engage with life while remaining in the comfort of her home. This reduces our worries about her safety while allowing her to unleash her eccentricities in the less hazardous realm of cyberspace.
Mom, keep it up! You’re providing entertainment for the world, one misposted comment at a time.
In summary, Carol’s foray into Facebook has led to a mix of humor, pride, and a few cringe-worthy moments. Her journey reflects not just her personality but also the challenges faced by many in embracing new technology. If you’re curious about the intricacies of home insemination, you might find valuable insights at this link. Another great resource is Make A Mom for those looking to explore similar paths. Additionally, for more information on pregnancy and related topics, you can visit the NHS.