iPhone In Action: Facebook

The question over in the forums was simple- What’s Over Your Favorite  App So Far?
Rick Streifel’s answer was anything but–

"Facebook", he wrote, "Probably not high on most peoples list, but it  meant a great deal to me 2 weeks ago."

Rick’s post went on from there. It told a story about Rick, his dad, an iPhone 3G, the Facebook app and… we’ll let Rick tell the rest…

"I’d really like to drive to Prince George".  My father had been saying this for many years.  We have many relatives in PG including one of my father’s last 2 surviving brothers.  My father is 82 years old and comes from a depression era Canadian Prairie homesteading family that didn’t make it. Both of my father’s parents had passed away by the time he was 7 years old. The 11 children were split up into foster homes.  Except those that were old enough, they were on their own.  The 11 children never gathered in the same room again.  Some 20 years later when they finally did, the eldest was already gone.  My mother resisted any travel plans as Alzheimer’s disease was in its early stages, and now that she has a severe case of it, well, travel is out of the question.  My father told me that he was going to take a break from the 24 hour care of my mother, and had placed her in a Respite Home for a couple of weeks.  My brothers, sister and I were very glad my dad was taking a break.  

This was the last Wednesday in July.  I had a shiny new iPhone that I had gotten just a few days earlier.  I also had a few vacation days coming to me, so I surprised my dad the next day with a phone call.  "Let’s you and I go to PG".  Dad was pretty taken aback.  I think this trip was one of those trips you promise yourself, but secretly don’t believe it will ever happen.

On Saturday, we got a sad phone call.  My dad was down to only 1 brother. His 90 year old brother in the Fraser Valley had passed away that day. Everyone was aware of the trip we had planned, so the funeral would be delayed until our return.

That Sunday we hit the road.  My dad is still a pretty good driver and he really enjoys it.  I could use the rest too.  I made plans with friends and family at home that I would document the trip, as we went, on Facebook, with my iPhone 3G.  My dad was pretty skeptical about this technology stuff, but I think he got a much better understanding of where the world was at on this trip.

Several times a day I would take a photo of whatever we were doing at the time and post it for all to see.  Nieces, nephews, cousins, and of course an Aunt and Uncle.  I photographed them all and put them up instantly.  They were all pretty skeptical too.  At the start I had 5 Facebook friends.  When it was all said and done 19 friends and relatives were watching our trip.

Yes, we did get to visit with my Aunt and Uncle.  It had been about 20 years since Uncle Phil and my dad were in the same room together.  We visited them twice.  All of our eyes were a little moist when we said goodbye.  We all kind of knew they wouldn’t be seeing each other again.

On our very last day on the road we made one last stop. We visited my brother’s daughter and her husband in Williams Lake, BC.  We got to meet my dad’s 2nd great grandchild, Hailey Grace.  8 hours old.

A thousand miles, and every one worth it.

(Dad, Mindy and Hailey in a picture taken with an iPhone and posted to Facebook seconds later.)