I am by no means an expert on social media. I am an infrequent user of Facebook and Instagram. I have never been on TikTok. And that is the extent of my knowledge of social media platforms. But tonight, I am grateful for Facebook being used to connect me to a family member I have not heard from or about in more than fifty years!

I had a message on Facebook from a cousin who is now in his mid-fifties, who I have not heard about (and never heard from before) since he was a young child. He reached out, just checking in, wanting to connect. He lost a daughter in her late teens to cancer recently. His words, “I realize more now than ever before how important family is and some people make a lasting impression” touched me at the core. After going back and forth on Facebook Messenger, we decided to talk by phone later this week and catch up more.

I look forward to reconnecting with that side of my family after so many years. The reason that this part of my family has not been in contact for many years is not as important as the fact that one person cared enough to reach out and connect, after even more than fifty years. It is never too late, as long as there is breath. And as long as one person cares enough to do so.

What does family mean to you? Do you have family members with whom you are disconnected, physically and/or emotionally? You may think you do not need to be connected to some of your family, and maybe you don’t. But what is there to lose by doing so? And it is possible that there is much to gain.

It only takes one person to start the chain reaction of connection. Could that be you?