It used to be that multi-generation families would all live together. It wasn’t so much that humans recognised the value of living together as a clan, although there surely are advantages, but that it was the most practical option. The world was less interconnected than it is today; there were fewer opportunities for people to move away and follow their dreams, and so on. Now, families could be spread out not just across the country, but across the world. So how do you stay in contact and keep the closeness, with so many miles in between? We take a look at a few options below.
Regular calls
Spare a thought for those people who did set sail for new lands when they were younger. They’d get on a ship and hope that they would one day return to see the people they loved. If they wanted to stay in touch, they had to write a letter that may or may not get there, and in any case, would take months to arrive anyway. Now, we’ve got a gift that’s often overlooked: the power of talking to people thousands of miles away… as if they were in the same room. With a strong internet connection, you can even see their faces. Make a habit of calling weekly, or, even better, having a video chat using Skype. Conduct a search for internet providers in my area and you’ll find high speed providers, even in rural locations. It can take a bit of getting used to, but eventually, you’ll slip into it, and it’ll feel normal.
Pay a visit
Your distant relatives hopefully aren’t living on Mars. They’re somewhere on this planet, and if they got there, then so can you. Next time you have some vacation time, why not look at paying them a visit? There’s nothing like visiting loved ones in strange destinations. You’ll have a great time just because you’re there with them, but then there’s also the matter of exploring their new home, it’s win-win. And then, of course, you can invite them to visit you. You can be anywhere in the world in a matter of hours these days – make the most of it!
Celebration surprises
Staying in touch is a good start, but it’s also important to go the extra mile from time to time. It’ll help retain the closeness. Let’s take those big celebratory moments, such as their birthday or Christmas. Instead of sending a text, look at doing something special. You can make a video, for example. If it’s a big file, then use a torrent app for Mac for hosting. A personalised video message (or anything else) will show that you’re not just going through the motions, but that you really care.
Long letters
It’s true that it’s hard to retain that real closeness when you’re far away. Closeness means sharing innermost thoughts, and knowing where they are in life. To achieve this from a distance, look at getting into the habit of writing one another long letters. People rarely get handwritten letters through the post these days, but they’re always thrilled to receive them. Plus, you’ll find that they’re highly rewarding to write.
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