Last Monday I was wrapped in the loving embrace of my family. It was the first time we had all gathered together in four years. If you had told me four years ago that this reunion would have taken place in California I probably would have giggled and said, “yeah right” before changing the topic.
I love my family. I love spending time with my family. I feel the pull to be actively involved in the lives of my nephew and niece.
That’s really hard to do from half a country away and when you can’t afford to hop a plane once a month to be present in the lives of your loved ones.
How does one achieve balance in a situation like this?
We utilize the technology of FaceTime of course. Facebook and text messaging keep me supplied with pictures and videos but it’s nowhere close to the same experience as being there.
I grew up as a kid who lived away from the majority of her family. Sometimes it is necessary to forge into new territory and pave a path for others to follow. This lifestyle does however come at a cost.
I can’t get back the time spent away from my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. Most of us will never know the joy of truly KNOWING one another. That type of knowing requires time and proximity that doesn’t come with one or two visits a year.
I don’t want that to be the relationship I have with my littles. I want them to KNOW me and I them.
The question is how do I balance this scale?
These reflections were enhanced by the listening of this song by Sara Tavares who I have adored for many years. Give her a listen if you love real music.
Below is a rough translation of what she is singing. It might be a little off because Portuguese has never been one of my languages though I’ve always been captivated by its beauty.
here where everything that surrounds us is sweet
high above here where we can breathe
where it is believed that anything is possible
here where everything around us is sweet
high above here where we can breathe
where it is believed that anything is possible
here where everything is delicious
~ Marta C. Youngblood
TheWRITEaddiction.com 
I am so thankful for the opportunity to have been there for the first part of your life. It is so true that the time missed can never be reclaimed. It is wonderful though that you all have the electronic capability to interact and communicate (although it is not the same as being there).
I know that you will continue to cherish the times that you can share. Who knows what the future may bring? Personal plane, private motor coach with driver. Who knows???
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