With life on pause, Facebook memories help fill gaps

I like the daily notification from Facebook that tells me, “You’ve got memories,” looking back on times when we could go places, do things and be with people, especially now when life feels like it’s on pause.

On one day, four years ago, I was coaching students at Arizona School for the Arts, my son Sawyer among them, for a storytelling event with my friend Amy Silverman. The students were seniors, on the cusp of adulthood, and they were funny, insightful and hopeful.

Six years ago, my tap dance group was performing a show at The Meadows, a mobile home community for retirees in Tempe. In the pictures, we’re all smiling and wearing tutus.

Eight years ago, Sawyer was getting his braces off.

That day, I’d also posted a picture of my injured finger after a visit to the doctor, the new bandage unnervingly phallic. (My friend John didn’t notice that but instead mentioned my Christmas tree in the background. “Are you waiting for Valentine’s Day to take your tree down??” he asked.)

Eleven years ago, I’d made my first attempt to ride a unicycle I’d borrowed from Sawyer’s friend, Luc. “Result: maybe two full tire rotations while clinging to the side of neighbor’s truck and a bruise on my backside,” I wrote.

The neighbors had gathered to take turns and watch each other try it, laughing at our failed attempts.

I’ve noticed friends on Facebook are sharing their memories more often these days, though we’ve always gotten these daily notifications. They are part of the lives we used to live.

Playing Bunco with friends. In the audience at shows, Playbills in hand. Celebratory dinners in restaurants. Concerts. Festivals. Parties.

I suspect we’re sharing those memories more often now because they’ve become more precious, reminders of time spent close to the people we love.

I hope we hold onto that when all this is over.