Between nursing the poorly and nursing edits this week, I managed to meet up with my dear friends, the Ace Gang, aka the Thursday Girls, (for the day we met, of course). I went on a tour of Rose’s lovely new home, admired photos of Ann’s adorable new granddaughter and joined the girls for a cup of tea - all without leaving my desk! We’ve been a bit slow to pick up on the idea of video calls so there were a few teething troubles initially. Exclamations of surprise, laughter and cries of ‘Oh, there you are!’ from their end had me weeping and wailing at my end because I couldn’t see them. But once we’d found each other it was wonderful, nearly as good as old times, although, sadly, I couldn’t actually join in with the fizz and quiche. My goodness did I miss them when we finally ended the call, these brilliantly-supportive and dearly-loved friends who’ve been part of my life since we met as young (very young!) mums.
Ma and I have also managed a few video calls since she acquired her iPad, the only problem being that she usually finds it so funny I tend to get a bit seasick as the views lurch from Ma, to the ceiling or floor or swerve alarmingly round the room. And it’s great being able to email her, to send her a photo of the garden in the sunshine (on the rare occasions we have sunshine lately) or the sheep trying eat our grass instead of theirs. Small moments that bridge the gap.
And soon Lily and I are going to do a few important weddingy things by video call; I’ll be able to inspect the results of her wedding makeup and hair rehearsal and I can give her a demo of my fascinator (stupid term for bits of dyed ribbon and feather stuck on a clip and given a hugely-inflated price tag).
It doesn’t quite compensate for being far away from loved ones, for not being able to give them a hug, but when you’re missing them, it doesn’t half help.
Thanks to Thursday Girl Rose, hiding behind the camera, for the lovely photo of the rest of us on the sofa!
Comments
I should start doing the same with Ma when she returns to South Africa.
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Debs, you're right - it is the immediacy of it all and being able to see how everyone is.
Facetime's good, isn't it, mountainear - very clear... always nice when callers can see, in my case, which hair colour you've applied!
Mags.. we're still getting there!!!
Jennie, thank you. Yes, you must feel it all the time - it's good to see them, but it would be nice to give them a hug too.
Liz - yes, it's interesting how you and Jennie, Cara and Pondside with long-distance rellies have seized the opportunity to make the most of this wonderful technology.
Pondside - it breaks your heart to think of that, doesn't it?
It's definitely worth trying, Elizabeth - it feels so lovely to see those dear faces. Hotel H still in recovery mode, thank you!
Cara, yes, that's something I didn't mention, being able to do it for free - it's a real benefit. Gosh, five months, what a wrench for you both - skype must really have helped.