I am blessed to have ten grandchildren, an even split of boys and girls. Another little guy will join our clan later this year and break the tie. Unfortunately, none of them live in San Diego. My children are where they should be, developing their careers and living their best lives. But it’s hard to have them live so far away. Thank goodness for modern technology which helps us stay in touch.
When my first grandchild was born, my eldest was living in New York. Skype sessions were the highlight of my week. My granddaughter was obsessed with Elmo from Sesame Street. So I purchased an animated version which sang, danced, and played the drums. I needed something to captivate the toddler, so she wouldn’t lose interest and run off during the call. It worked like a charm! My success emboldened me, and I tried other activities such as hand puppets. I’d assemble my supplies before each Skype session, looking forward to our time together – a digital bridge across the miles.
Technology has improved over the years. FaceTime calls have replaced Skype sessions. Now we can be connected anytime and anywhere. We can share their first day at school or the first time they learn to jump rope. We can watch them grow, even from afar. It warms my heart when a grandchild calls and asks me to read to them via FaceTime. One smarty-pants figured out that he could talk to me by saying “Call Mom” on my daughter’s phone…like magic, we were instantly connected. Another little cutie walks around the house with the phone, showing me things…and making me seasick.
Our oldest grandchild has her own phone now. Teens seem to prefer texts, so I try to stay in touch via funny memes and text messages. I’m probably an annoyance, but she hides it well. Although modern technology often baffles and frustrates me, I’m grateful for the current ease of communication and connectivity. “Can you hear me now?”
What do you do to stay connected to friends and family who live out of town?
