I can't visit my 90-some mother halfway across the country because of the pandemic
Our Granny-should-happily-die-for-the-economy crowd and the fuck-off-while-I-golf salesman are causing me anger and pain, which I suppose the yay-liberal-tears crowd enjoys
I really don't ever want to hear another word from these "pro-family" and "pro-lifer" fakers
My parents and I used to get together at least twice a year, and when they became less energetic, I started to flying out to see them every few months, about six weeks a year
I've kept that up since my father passed
But now, my mother and I agree I shouldn't travel
I frankly don't know if I'll ever see her again
And I bet there are plenty others facing this
= new reply since forum marked as read
so use the Duo app to do the same thing with my far-flung family. https://duo.google.com/about/
One can also have video conversations with more than one person at a time on Duo.
For larger get-togethers, we use Zoom, but are limited to 40 minutes in the freebie version. So when it's a "cast of thousands," one of those among us who has the premium version sets up the call and we aren't time-limited. https://zoom.us/download
The various young ones regale us with their talents and give examples of various skills, e.g., demonstrating their learning of foreign languages, playing instruments, singing songs, dressing up in costume and performing skits, etc. They are so much fun and are growing up MUCH too fast!
The internet, with its various means of staying in touch virtually, has literally been a lifeline for me! 
May it serve you all as well! 
me know! 
