I remember when my daughter left for sleep away camp. We all stressed about the limits on phone calls. I remember (like it was yesterday) the day of the “first” camp phone call. We were all anxious, and it went so fast. Hardly enough time to even catch a breath.

Now, Jaclyn is a world traveler. Over the last few years she has spent months at a time in countries half way across the world. Last week, she left for India to spend close to four months working at an NGO in Goa. (Sangath is an awesome institution devoted to changing the world of global mental health — but that is a story for another day). She left on Tuesday night and I knew that by Saturday we would be so connected that I would not only be able to talk to her but we would be able to see each other. Saturday morning she gave us a tour of her new space.

She spent four months in Australia last year and we had lunch together every day. Well not really, it was her lunch time and we were going to sleep. But, she would go outside and sit with a cup of tea, the kangaroo and her parents. They are really pretty cute.

I like this way better. The techolological opportunities for connectivity provide such an effective means of communication that it almost feels like she is right here. Well, almost.