My virtual family

Life with the Virus on the surface is not much different for a retiree like me, but the most important thing, i.e. connection with family, has changed dramatically. I have two children with families. My son lives in Spain with his wife and 12 year old daughter while my daughter lives in Tweed Heads with her husband and two sons. I am accustomed to talking with my Spanish family on Facetime, but somehow it is different knowing how awful things are in Spain. They have been in strict lockdown for nearly 4 weeks now, only going out for food, medicine and to walk their large dog. However my granddaughter is not allowed out at all – no children on the streets and she is starting to climb the walls. A bit different to our kids continuing to go to school! 

My Tweed family are just over the border, but I can’t see them in reality because I fall into the vulnerable category. Going from doing the school run twice a week and weekend gatherings, to contact only over Facetime is challenging.  Changing from personal, physical and emotional contact to remote contact over the internet does not translate very well, especially with children who do not easily carry on virtual conversations. Still it is not forever and I am profoundly grateful I live in an age when virtual contact is readily available and my internet skills are improving in leaps and bounds.