I miss my mom and dad...

[MScott1851]

DH and I live just three hours from our family, but have been so busy the last couple of months that we've only been able to see our parents once. And even though I haven't lived at home in 10 years and have no desire to return there, the older I get, the more I wish I could just "go home" more often.

Maybe I'm just overly sentimental, but I wish that I could still live near all my family, like when I was growing up. Grandparents next door, cousins across the road, etc. I'm afraid that I'm turning into that relative that lives so far away everyone kind of forgets about. I'm so upset when I go home and realize all the things in my family's life that I've missed out on. Babies aren't babies anymore, and I'm shocked at the change in my grandparents every time I see them.

How do you Disers that live FAR FAR away from your family do it?

 

[miste76]

I'm very, very close to my mom. She is my best friend in the whole world. Unfortunatly, I live 5 hours away... may not seem like far, but I'm working on a graduates degree and I'm physically in class/clinic for 40 hours a week and have studies/lab work outside of class. We only see each other once every few months but we talk on the phone at least once a day. I truly look forward to the day that I graduate and the day that I can move closer to home.
In the mean time... I keep pictures around and make sure I tell my mother how much she means to me.

 

[momsully]

I know exactly how you feel. We live a four hour plane ride away and only get home three or four times a year. This is not enough in my opinion. Growing up everyone (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) all lived within a 15 mile radius and we got together alot.

I spend alot of time on the phone. I talk to my parents and sister almost every day. We go home as often as we can and my family comes out here several times a year as well. My husband and I have looked at moving back to Massachusetts but it is difficult to interview for jobs in New England living in Colorado.

I would love to hear suggestions on how others make the distance seem closer as well!

 

[2MuchOhana]

It's not easy being so far away from my family. My sister will be moving closer now only going to be a four hour drive instead of 12 and my parents are six hours by car away. DH's family lives 12 hours away is that is still too close for me!

The way I stay close to my family is I call them frequently even if I don't have anything new or exciting to say. I talk to my sister and niece at least two or three times a week. I talk to my parents almost everyday. Although, I tend to talk to my mom more than my dad. I send them emails or I mail them when I see that they are online. I send digital pictures as often as I can, too! It's not the same; but it helps!

Today is my birthday and I wish they were here to help me celebrate; but I know that I will be seeing my parents tomorrow night when I go home!

Jodi

 

[nativetxn]

It's very difficult to live so far away from family. I live in Michigan and the rest of my family is in Texas...I miss them very much.

 

[Robinrs]

I could never live too far from my family, my umbilical cord was never cut! I even moved them South the month after I moved down here!

Now they live in Heaven and I'm here.... I really miss them.

 

[caitycaity]

i know how you feel. i only live 500 miles from my parents, but due to both my committments, and my parents' committments, i only see them 1 or 2 times/year. i really miss them and wish they lived in this area (or that i lived in their area).

 

[minniecarousel]

I have 7 siblings & only one lives far away. I marvel at the fact that my parents moved their family of 8 children from Ohio to California. To be that far from family when they were so close must have been very difficult. Their whole support system was in Ohio. Of course, they ALL came for visits out here eventually!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I guess that is one of the biggest reason why I decided (me and the kids) not to move to Florida. My parents are old (mid-80 and mid-70), they probably have 5-10 more years. I do love them, though sometimes it doesn't show and I want to spend as much time as I can with them while they are still alive. And I want my children to spend as much time with them also.

I am the 7th of the siblings. Two are in Cali. The rest are here. My oldest sister lives about 2 miles from me. I see her on occasions, so as the rest of my siblings, except my brother who is the 6th of the siblings. He hangs out at my parent's house after work sometimes, so I see him there. And the rest of my siblings, I only see them on holidays or if there's a party and we are all invited. We don't even call each other. It's sad, but that's the truth.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

My parents split up the year I got married. It's been awkward with my dad ever since, but mom and I get try to get together at least once a month. We live 30 minutes apart and I'm sure if she could afford a computer and an internet connection we'd be IMing all the time.

There are many moments, especially lately, when I wish I could get with each of my parents more often. I miss the days of summer that we'd spend camping with my mom's sisters and their families. My cousins are like my sisters and brothers and I miss those outings. I try to organize a picnic/meet at Knoebels each year over Memorial Day, but not everyone can make it of course.

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

"quick cam" type computer camera - each of you have one and you can talk "live" or you can make your own short video and send as a file.

Not too pricey (watch for a rebate) and what a great gift! That's how we got ours - a gift from DS to us and one to our DD (ohMom) and family.

Even if only one person has one you can "tape" short videos and send as a file. We have heard our DGD's play piano - seen a "new" hair-do, etc. Great way to keep in visual touch!

 

[Jeanny]

I don't live far enough away from my brothers.... since my Dad died 2 1/2 years ago, I haven't spoken to them unless I've absolutely had too. One brother and his family lived in South Carolina, but unfortunately moved back up here 10 year ago. Of course, my Mom doesn't understand why I feel the way I feel...even my daughter is "done" with them.

 

[Pop Daddy]

all girls (no matter how old) need to be close to mom and dad

 

[Pin Wizard]

When DH and I moved to FL and my parents were in NJ, I had a very hard time with it. I missed them ALL the time! I used to call them every weekend. I wanted to call more often but told myself to be grown up about it. Bad decision in my opinion. That was one of the most difficult things I had to deal with.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I felt this way when I realized my biological clock was starting to tick very LOUDLY! I starting feeling clingy towards my family.

I hope I didn't make you choke on whatever you were drinking.

Lori

 

[Pin Wizard]

When DH and I moved to FL and my parents were in NJ, I had a very hard time with it. I missed them ALL the time! I used to call them every weekend. I wanted to call more often but told myself to be grown up about it. Bad decision in my opinion. That was one of the most difficult things I had to deal with.

 

[MScott1851]

It's definitely a possibility. I'm weepy and stressed too. My hormones are having a field day the past six months. Is that what that means?

NNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Don't tell DH!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

or ?

Lori

 

[Catzeyes]

I moved 2600 miles away from my family two years ago at the age of 43. We have all lived within 30 miles of each other my whole life. It was a real switch for me to go from seeing all my brothers and sister every weekend to flying home now a couple of times a year. It is pretty hard to get use to but I handle it by talking to my parents pretty much everyday on the phone. My son and I talk everyother day or so. It seems to get a little harder with time instead of easier.

 

[Crankyshank]

I'm 20min away from my parents and I usually see them once a week.
My sister is 90min away at UCONN and I see her every 2 mos when school is in session, but we IM 3-4nights a week.

My brother is on Nantucket and works crazy hours, has no internet connection, and comes home every month for a couple days. I usually see him 4 -5 times a year.

My father's side of the family usually gets together every 2-3 months. I get together more often with my aunt for shopping excursions. We're all within 30min of each other. I see my Grandmother 3 or 4 times a year lately.

My Mother's family isn't close. I see my Grandparents every few months. They're 30min away. I see one brother once every 5yrs (he's in IN) and her other brother twice a year and even that is too often.