Some young adults choose to settle in the same area as their loved ones. However, many have to move across the country for college, work or just to get a fresh start in life. Yet for parents, friends and grandparents, this transition can cause sadness and loneliness. It is supposed to be a blessing (finally a quiet house), but too often families are left with minimal contact and only quick encounters via Skype, letters or telephone.
Loving from a distance is a finely-tuned art. You CAN be actively involved with family miles away. The first step is to encourage and uplift. Leaving home can be a nerve-wracking process for parents and children alike. On one hand, parents want their children to have their independence, and on the other, they still have that inherent instinct to protect their child. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just a balancing act.
No matter how you choose to maintain contact, the important thing is staying in touch. Although you cannot see and hold one another in that moment, remember that in the future, you will. Whether it is through a quick call, a card or a simple gift, showing that they are always on your mind can do a lot to shorten the distance.
Even when we desire to be near our families, our friends, the ones we care about most, life never fails to throw us curve balls. So if you must live far apart, take a few moments each day to show your love from a distance.