Sometimes it takes the insights of someone else to come to the realization about an issue in your life. That was the case when fellow blogger Michele Cheplic recently posted, “No Chance to Miss Your Kid.” The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
My 18-year-old son is two weeks away from graduating technical school (Security Forces) at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. His first duty station is going to be Turkey, which we anticipated to not happen until March.
Yesterday I received word from him that his orders to go will likely be earlier, possibly the beginning of February. I wasn’t ready to hear that.
But then I read Michele’s blog and I realized something. Sure, Turkey is a long distance away. Heck, Texas has been far enough. But she’s right, with technology today it makes missing your kid more difficult.
As a matter-of-fact, I probably talk more to my son now than I did when he lived in our home. I remember many days barely getting more than a grunt from him. Now he calls me once-a-day and we often exchange text messages.
When he goes to Turkey, we will have to temporarily suspend his cell phone account but we have the option to Skype one another. What a difference technology has made when it comes to keeping in touch!
Michele mentioned a mom who receives several phone calls throughout the day from her college-aged daughter. She is oftentimes seeking advice, some of which she could definitely find out through the same technological devices used to make contact with her mom.
But I think I can answer Michele’s question as to why she calls her mom instead. Perhaps it’s a modernized version of what family relationships used to be like.
Remember the days when family was physically close? In today’s world, they tend to get split apart and separated greater distances than once-upon-a-time. Despite the need for independence and living our own lives, it could be that our hearts crave the physical closeness.
Whatever the reason, I am one mom who definitely appreciates the advances in technology. So that although my son will be thousands of miles away, I will still get to see his face. And yes, perhaps miss him a little less.
Separated…but not really.