SIBBS Newsletter Spring 2023

SIBBS Newsletter, Spring 2023 | tcf.org.uk 6 Facebook memories If like me, you have Facebook and find yourself now and then scrolling through your feed. You may or may not also be familiar with the term ‘Facebook memories.’ I’ve always found Facebook memories, those little things which showcase something which happened on that day or week years ago a weird concept. These ideas and social pops up aren’t created with possible loss and grief in mind, so of course, when a loved one has passed away, these memories can fill you with many different emotions. You may be happy, joyful, and reminiscent to have been reminded of such a lovely memory or moment in time. But for those who have sadly lost someone, for us our siblings, I feel these Facebook memories can sometimes cause an opposite reaction. I can find some ‘Facebook memories’ quite triggering and hurtful as it forces me to acknowledge not only my sister’s death but also a core memory that I wasn’t expecting nor wanted at that particular time. Facebook is a mere piece of software which cannot understand grief or when someone has passed so of course it doesn’t know what you do and don’t want to see, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Although I like to reminisce on the past occasionally, looking at photos, thinking about things we did together, family holidays and stupid unnecessary arguments. The ‘Facebook memories’ act as an unwanted stark reminder that she is no longer here with me, and that no new memories can be made. Written by Ellana Salt