It’s really hard, it seems every time a life event goes on in my life, something happened’s at home making me feel terrible.

My parents were blessed with me at the ripe old age of 63.

When I left for college, it was the same weekend my dad past. (Went to a uni 20 mi away)

When I left college for my first job, my mom was diagnosed with dementia. (Now I’m over 550 mi away)

I call everyday, send care packages, and visit as often as I could.

I phone my parents at least twice a day.

Wow, I am having these exact feelings this month. I have lived away for 15 years and it’s suddenly hitting hard. It has been over a year since we have seen my in-laws (who I adore) and I am coming up on the one year of seeing my family. My husband and I both have friends and family in Europe and I am honestly worried it will be years until I see them again. I think it’s the uncertainty of when or if this will be over.

It's only thanks to the long distance that I can have a great relationship with my mother!!!

My parents live in Europe. Of course I miss them. But I don't miss my mother's injunctions, admonishments, precepts, interjections, pressing concerns and general hand-wringing. In fact, if we visit on her turf longer than a week we go bonkers. She's much better on neutral ground at a hotel or when visiting us.

So... I'm persuading them to try Facetime, as they are strictly phone people.

It's really hard, we facetime several times a week. Usually see them a few times a year, but covid has made it tough. When you live far from your parents and they are older, the number of times you will see them for the rest of their lives can be counted....a scary realization.