Why the need to save old history? Why start Facebook pages for old history? For one thing, it’s fun. And it’s a place to share old photos and stories with people who have connections to them.
One Friday in 2018, the Historic Guthrie County, Iowa, Facebook page became a place of grace and redemption.
One man I’ll call *Phil recognized another’s name, giving feedback to something I’d written about an ancestor. He wrote a note right on that Facebook feed:
“Dear *John, I am now at an age and distance where somethings I’ve always wanted to say to you I can and will. Admired you year by year. . . You were always friendly to me at school . . . letting me inside the conversations now and then. . . you were kind to me, I was so lonely, etc.”
*Charles joined the conversation, saying that he didn’t know Phil had been through so much. Another healing connection.
Then *Dave wrote that he admired Phil’s courage for his note.
Four men of a certain age, reconnecting on a Facebook page, because of a story I wrote about an old ancestor in rural Iowa.
How amazing, and humbling.
*Names changed