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Strength through Social Media Outreach

This week I learned about two horrific events happening with two friends I had long ago--one from my mission and one a couple friend of my husband and me. The friend from my mission passed away and the other friend is going through a divorce with her husband of just one year. I was informed of both of these incidents through social media of all places, so it came as a huge shock to me and even though I don't interact with these two on a daily basis, my heart is still heavy at the recent events in their and their family's lives. I hurt for them and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them and the pain they and their families must be going through.
However, one great form of strength that my friend experiencing the divorce has mentioned as well as the family of my friend who passed away is social media and the outreach they've felt from hundreds of people. People have commented, DM-ed, sent love, quotes, and support all through the Internet. Because of social media, my friends and their families have felt strength in their trials because of the vast number of people offering their overwhelming love. I am so grateful that social media can also be used as a tool for good and support--it warms my heart to know that my struggling friends can feel loved and strengthened through their feed. I know personal interaction is more important and fulfilling, but for those of us who can't be there in person to help those in need, it is great that we have social media as a form of outreach and that we can be informed of difficulties in others' lives. I want to be someone who offers support and comfort to those I see who are struggling on social media to know that their voices are heard and they are cared for.

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