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June 2009 
What friend or beloved family member lives furthest from you?
Posted on Aug 28th, 2008
by 
ayla
ayla
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for August 28, 2008:
Nickelback - Far Away
east
Oh, I guess that may have been a typo (What person that you feel deeply attached to lives furthest away? Where do they live, and how do you maintain your connection? Do you find it east or difficult to stay in touch with someone remote?) Derek, my eldest, lives the very furthest away. I'm in Idaho and he's in Florida. We stay in very close contact. He calls me and texts me often. He still likes to ask my advice about important decisions, sends me pictures (via cell phone) when he buys something new or sees something cool that he wants to share with me. He calls me when he is bored. He calls me when he is sad. He calls me when he is worried. He calls me when he's really happy. I don't really call him that often because he calls so regularly ~ that way I know I'm not being pesky. If I haven't heard from him in over five days, then I'll give him a call to say "hey" and to make sure that everything is okay.
He works in Alaska on the pipeline, same company as my husband, so my husband actually gets to see him and give him bear hugs every month. That makes me a little green eyed with envy but also glad that he can keep a "physical" eye on him.
I still feel so connected with Derek that I don't feel that "far away" unless I let myself start thinking about touching him and/or looking at him. There is just something about looking into your child's eyes, caressing their cheeks, running your hands through their hair . . . it's one of life's biggest joys for me.
Well, now I have a lump in my throat.
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Derek is blessed by having such a wonderful mom and you, sweet Ayla, are blessed in having such a loving son. Praise be to cell phones, text messages, and all the other electronic and digital faeries that flutter through our lives!
yes to our fairie gadgets! My Dad and I were just having a conversation about the day his father shot himself oh-so-many years ago. My father told me that we were there that day! I had no idea. And my Grandpa was drunk and mean so Dad gathered us up and we left. Later that day he gut-shot himself but my Grandma didn't want to bother Dad in the middle of the night. The next day we went school shopping for clothes and the phone rang and rang but that was even before answering machines. Mom dropped Dad off at work and we headed for home (about an hour's drive). Dad found out that his father was dead at work, from a co-worker who was surprised to see him there. Mom got home, got a phone call, and had to turn around and drive back to get him. We were discussing the magic of cell phones after he told me this story. But I think the thing I am even more grateful for was the fact that my own father had the presence of mind to remove his wife and children from an ugly situation on that day so long ago.
Ayla,
I've got goosebumps and my eyes are filled with tears…
You are an amazingly wonderful mom. You are luck to have such a sweet son… one who is so close to his mom. He has given you the greatest gift… the gift of staying in contact.
(((((Ayla)))))
Keep up the great work.
Hugs!
-Susan
I love the energy as you describe the relationship with your son. You are both lucky to have one another. Another gratitude for the gift of technology (cell phones, internet) in which we can stay connected to our children who are far away. I've also been learning how to text my daughter and son, and it's so fun to send them little messages during the day. Blessings, dear one.