Connecting with Family

Holidays are different around my house now. In 2009, all my grandchildren at that time moved away. FAR away. Dave took his little family to China in August, and Erin joined her sweet hubby on Kaua'i in October.

Thank heavens for Skype and the ability to talk and see each other. Little Tyson can show us how he does upside down push ups, and Savy can show off cute dolls. Sienna can play on the guitar and sing the song she performed for the church Christmas party, and Aidan can show us his missing teeth. Madelyn can display her cute curls.

I can't hug or snuggle or read books to the images that come through a webcam. But at least when the grandkids see us again they won't be afraid of us and will recognize our voices.

It beats the heck out of corresponding via snail mail. I remember those days and living FAR from my own grandparents. My father was career Navy, and we spent years living in Asia. We moved to the Philippines as I began 6th grade; the farewell with my friends was traumatic. Bonnie and I kept in touch during those two years, but we never once got to hear the other's voice, and both our families were poor enough that we didn't get to send many pictures to each other.

So I guess I should be happy that communications are so much simpler and less expensive now. I watched Bobby Kennedy's funeral via satellite in the middle of the night. It was the first time anything like it had been broadcast worldwide. I would never have imagined a time when I could sit in the luxury of my home and watch a live video of my children and grandchildren.

It's very Jetsonsesque.

But I still wish I could hug and squeeze those little ones while they're still little. At least we got to play with Robert's little Davey. He's definitely squeezable.


Oh, and Ed got to be Santa's Helper at the Christmas party.