Emotional Media Experiences/ blog 5

Following the death my Great-Grandma Fagan in November of last year, the media, specifically social media, influenced my reaction to her death. I am not one to cry often, but my Great-Grandma was incredibly influential in my life. In many of the situations I encounter on a day to day basis, I try to think of what she would do and put my own tendencies to the side. Many people in my family felt the same way. All four of her daughters are on Facebook, including my Grandma, and I did my best to reach out to her sisters, regardless of the family drama occurring. Below is the story of just how much social media can impact one person.

My Great- Aunt Mary Kay was flying to South Bend, Indiana, where my Great- Grandma lived. She was in an airport, all alone, waiting for her flight in a busy airport, and trying to control her grief. I did not know this was happening at the time, but what I did know is that she was greatly affected by her mother's passing.

I Facebook messaged her, in hopes of reaching out. Little did I know that she was on the brink of a breakdown at the airport- and that just one person reaching out to her made the difference.

In light of the Facebook scandal, I wanted to share this emotional connection I have with Facebook to  point out the positives of social media. I will forever associate Messenger with connection, perhaps, but I am forever grateful that I was able to reach out to her, whether it was on Messenger or not- but social media was that connection.