How Well Are YOU Connected?

I started my day like most, opening my computer, checking the news and firing up a few of the many Social Media accounts I have. I have a pattern of  looking to check if it's anyone's Birthday.  (Thank You Facebook for this!  It makes not forgetting someone very manageable.) As it turns out, it happened to be a friend and peer from Montana's Birthday!   I took a couple moments to wish her a Happy Birthday.

Needless to say, I was the one who got a smile when a little later in the morning, I received a message back thanking me, but also figuring I would have "Tweeted" her Birthday Wish.  Well not to let someone be disappointed,  I had to oblige, but I wanted to be an overachiever... I decided to see how many "Platforms" we were friends on, that could share her Birthday wishes.

My lunch hour was spent thinking of the many platforms we were connected on.  Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Linkedin, Skype, YouTube, Klout.  I had hit seven!  Success right?  Wrong!


One more little message had me looking again.  In a day of connections using social media, I had forgotten some very simple easy connections.  EMAIL!! So, messages were sent than to both personal and work email accounts.  Lets not forget  texting!


In a day where we have so many options to communicate with friends and family is it strange the most obvious option, of just picking up the phone was overlooked?    Well, not if you know me.   Those of you who know me, know how much I dislike actually talking on the phone so I could have "called" her cell, home, and work, but, ya that's not gonna happen.

We also found a  couple more options!  Yay for Google Voice and Google Talk!  As I chatted with Tanja a bit more, I found it funny, when she commented I may have more ways of communicating with her, than her husband.

The Moral of the story, In an age where we are only a click away from someone, don't overlook the simple options of keeping in contact.  Whether a simple phone call, text message or a unique YouTube video, take a moment and make someone else smile!

And Tanja, for the record, and tally I hit Ten!! Wait with this Blog all about you we're at Eleven, and when I share it with Facebook, Twitter, Google +, HeHe ..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! 

The End of a Family Line

I am going to start off and premise this blog, in stating that this one really has more of a thought cleansing for me.  There is no real lesson learned at this moment.  Just me, working through something in my life.

This morning I woke up to the news of a family member's passing back home. He was beloved by the community and over the years he was given the nickname of "Mayor of Park City."  I was saddened to hear of his passing, and have many fond memories of Darrell over the years from the early days of smoking fish with him and Uncle Pete, to many memories including the Fire Dept.

Yet the thing that struck me to the heart was the context of the comment that informed me of this news.  The message went on to say... "Sad! End of that family line."    Darrell like me had never married, never had any children of his own.  His  only siblings passed away when they were only infants.  Yes, Darrell was the end of that line of the Franks.

This really had me thinking today about my own mortality.   Even though I have a wonderful sister and three precious nieces, I too am the last Frank male in my family line.  Will this be the same comment that will be said about me when I pass away?  This has really bothered me all day.

I did not choose to be single this long in my life. I did not choose this journey in which life has taken me.  Yet it is the life I have, and for the most parts, I would not change the journey I have taken.  I have had some wonderful experiences in my lifetime and through being a youth leader, Sunday School teacher, and even subbing in the schools, have always felt like I have kids of my own.  In fact I still enjoy the conversations when a some of my former youth students who are now adults, with families of their own, call me or we chat to catch up.

Today hit me a little hard, and I know this will pass in time, yet today I do not want to be just a memory.  Just as I have wonderful memories of my grandparents, and family stories passed down over the years, I want to be part of those stories for future generations of our family.


This is also reason for us to remember:  Love your Family while they are here.  Not only when they are gone!  We cannot turn back the hands of time.  Live Today with no regrets, as tomorrow is not promised.

Darrell may be gone, however he had a much bigger family in the community of Park City. I hope the memories of him, as part of the Park City Family will live on for generations.