Facebook is the New "Scooping the Loop"

In 9th grade I moved from one small Iowan community to another. Each town had its own gathering places for teens. Leaving Charles City for Storm Lake I traded Teen Tavern, Ray's Pizza, the bowling alley and the Mall for Hardee's, The Villager, Conee Corner, Puffs and Chautauqua Park. In Storm Lake we had another unique asset to our social lives --- "Scooping the Loop." Anytime students were not in classes, their cars would follow (scoop) a circuitous path (the loop) through the center of town.

Here's how it went:

Heading south on Lake Avenue (the main street of businesses) we'd drive until we met the lake and take a left heading east on W. Lakeshore Drive. This took us past Chautauqua Park which bordered the lake. At the corner near Super America and Puff's we'd take another left to head north on Flint Drive. This four-lane street curved westwards and passed the high school which was on Tornado Drive. Flint Drive turned into Milwaukee Drive where it intersected with Lake Avenue. Again, another left kept us on the Loop and we'd start the route again. After a few times we'd take travel loop in reverse.

"Honk and Wave" was our mantra as we socialized from our cars. (I'll never forget the day my mom came home from driving my car. "What in the world are you up to in town?" she asked, horrified that so many people honked and waved at my car.)

These were the days before text messaging, cell phones and e-mail. With the exception of an intentionally planned party, our gatherings were of a more serendipitous nature. Should we see a friend while cruising the loop we would wait for them to meet us at one of our favorite places.


Facebook is the new "Loop." As I log on, I check the News Feeds, Status Updates, and Live Feeds. Who else is on? Who's clever and interesting today? Any new pictures? Anyone missing or long silent? I can write a quick note on a Wall, comment on notes or photos, or have private conversations via messages or chats. I can make a lunch date or attend the same event as other friends.



I would wager that those who find no need for Facebook probably wouldn't have spent much time "scooping the loop."

Coffee with an Long-time Friend

This morning I had a long (3 hour) coffee with a friend I've know for 20 years. (Has it really been that long?)

It was such fun to spend time with someone who has known me for a long time. I don't have to do a lot of explaining of myself. We update one another on our kids, our struggles and our victories. We share wisdom, give a little advice; mostly we encourage each other. Since we both have large families, homeschool and are involved in ministry we have a lot in common. Once the two of us talked about using the idea of running partners to describe our friendship. With a running partner, when you wear out and flag in your run, the partner urges you on.

After our coffee, I thought a lot of my various friendships. I'd love to spend my week going out for coffee with friends. I'd love to catch up with people who have been a part of my life over the years. The days, however, seem too full; the weeks go by so quickly. Once again, I was encouraged to think about the priorities and values in my life. If relationships are important, am I giving them the attention they require.

As I get older, I don't have the energy that I had in my youth. It's even more important to hear the Lord regarding my time, my focus, my vision and my priorities.

Moving Woes

Regular life has been put on hold while I help my friend pack and clean for their move to California. I know, it's a long way from Minnesota to California. I'm really excited for my friends because this is a dream job that they've been waiting for a long time to happen.

On the other hand, I DON'T WANT THEM TO LEAVE! We've known them for almost 10 years and love them to pieces. Our kids played with their kids and went to the same school. We've prayed and played together. And now they're gone and I'm so sad.

I hate saying good bye. I feel as if I didn't say "hello" enough. We didn't do enough fun stuff. We could have shared so much more of our lives. These friends are so gifted and talented and blessed us in so many ways. They are creative and hard-working. You just get the feeling that they loved loving you.

We've talked on the phone about 10 times since they left at noon yesterday. We both have the same cell phone company and have been answering the phone, "Can you hear me know?" At some point, they will be in the mountains of California, and we won't hear one another. Oh, I'm so sad.

When my oldest daughter was 5 we had a college student live with us for a year after her graduation. On the day that she left for a teaching job in Japan, the two of us sat on the couch and cried and cried. When we had calmed and quieted down, I told her that this was a good hurt. "It means you really love someone when it hurts this much when they leave." Over the years I've really loved a number of people who have left for other locations. (especially a friend who left for heaven!) It's a sadness that points to how rich our lives really are. What a paradox!