I got banned from using Messenger until January 12th.
My son Miles has had a little stuffed lamb, his comfort buddy since the day he was born. It has been with him through everything: thunderstorms and tornados, sick nights, doctor visits, days away from his parents, the night of the domestic battery, multiple moves, fear, tears… all of it. It sleeps with him every night. It’s his emotional support, even if it’s “just a stuffed animal” to the rest of the world.
This weekend, while he was in a Lyft with his dad, it went missing. Unfortunately, because of our current situation, every exchange must be done at the police department, and his father is unable to drive right now, so he relies on rideshares. I wasn’t even told TT was gone until days later, which was heartbreaking and incredibly frustrating as I had ensured he had it when exiting my vehicle.
When I finally found out, momma bear mode kicked in. I drove to the police station to see if it had been turned in. Nothing.
I searched the parking lot. Nothing.
So I reached out directly to Lyft on Messenger, hoping maybe someone could help.
And I need to pause here to say this: Lyft was incredible.
Whoever was on the other side of that chat showed compassion, kindness, and humanity to a frantic mom trying to help her heartbroken child. They listened. They cared. They helped contact the driver. Their words alone meant the world to me yesterday.
But… after that conversation, Meta decided I violated “cybersecurity standards” and flagged me as someone trying to hack someone else’s account. Which is absolutely NOT what happened. I never asked for passwords, account access, or anything inappropriate. I just asked a company to help reach a driver.
And now I’m banned from Messenger for 7 days. With no way to appeal.
As someone who has been on Facebook since 2005, and who pays for Meta services for my Space Case Sarah work, that stings.
And in the end, when the driver finally did respond, and TT wasn’t in the car. It was likely dropped in the parking lot getting into the Lyft. A tiny piece of history is gone for Miles… and honestly for me too. I know it’s “just a stuffed animal,” but it wasn’t just a stuffed animal to my little boy.
I’m sad. Yesterday hurt. And now losing access to a major communication tool for me (albeit briefly) because of this? It feels deeply unjust.
But I also want to say:
Thank you, Lyft.
Thank you for kindness in a world that so often forgets how to be human.
We will miss you, TT. đź’”
#kindness #Lyft #thankyou