BATH TIME SHARED

Bath time a grand mothers joy, today with advances in technology the 12209 kilometers or 7587 miles between my grandson & I can be “reduced” by the daily uploading of video’s of his antics and development.

For me these videos keep my updated, and I scan my inbox religiously to check for the latest installment in my “Mr. Yummy’s” life. These delightful daily doses not only keep me up-to-date with his development and talents, they warm my heart as his giggles and smiles fill my screen.

I am certainly in danger of becoming an Eitan bore to my friends, as I rattle on about how he eats a banana, boogies to music, plays with his shape sorter; but I make no apologies as that is normal behavior for any grandmother, I know mine did it and I wasn’t separated from her by an ocean but by a couple of streets!

Nowadays, more and more families are separated, living on the opposite side of the world from your family is no longer considered to be out of the ordinary, in fact the reverse is happening. The number of my friends that have their grandchildren living within the same town, city or country is limited, as our children spread their wings across the world.

Who loses out I wonder? not the totally the grandparents as we adjust to the situation, placate an aching heart with photo’s ,video’s and Skype, but I do wonder what this generation of virtual grandchildren will feel ,without the ability to run into those special grandparent arms, to pop round after school for a special treat, to have that day out at the beach or shopping or at the library with the grandparents , to have the surprise of grandma picking them up from school and whisking them off for an illicit ice-cream.

For this generation of international grandchildren a visit to grandparents has to be planned, there is no room for spontaneity when the flight alone takes over ten hours.

For this generation, videos, photo’s and Skype take over the majority of the time from personal contact.

For this generation knowing the delights of the smells from their grandma’s kitchen, or the hiding places within their grandparent’s house and garden is replaced by a wave into a webcam, an email, and a faded picture.

Please don’t get me wrong I love the daily updates,

I am so thankful that I have a healthy happy and of course clever (grandma’s pride) little man who part of me living in this world, and I take pleasure in his growth and development daily.

It is just so long since I have held this little man in my arms and told him how unique he is, It is so long since I have taken care of him, it is so long since I have felt like a real not virtual Safta ,that sometimes I do worry, that my grandson who sees less of me than I do of him will not know who I am, and all the special love I have to offer him.

We are planning a trip, maybe in six months when I am stronger , when I will visit my munchkin , it wont be a sight seeing trip, will be one of fantastic mundane every day things where I will share time at the park, or in the play ground, walking the dog, story time , playing, shopping , cooking and eating together. We will for a short time build memories and I will be a 100% real live interactive grandmother to this precious little boy. I hope my visit will show my grandson how special he is to me , make it easier for him to know me.

But until then excuse me, I have another video to watch. and gloat over and enjoy so I can share the delightful "Mr Yummy's "Bath time!