Twenty-first-century technology has shrunken the global village, and today it’s easier than ever to stay connected. The experts – Jewish daughters, mothers, and grandmothers – share the many options available.
Suitcases are stuffed to capacity gas tanks are filled and boarding passes are dutifully printed out. Slews of silver and gold minivans prepare for an onslaught of boisterous passengers. Flurries of tearful hugs ensue along with frazzled shouts of things forgotten or misplaced and Bubby’s persistent protests that travelers must take food for the trip. Thank-you’s abound as einiklach are smothered with kisses; Zaidy finds a lump in his throat that won’t go away.
It’s been a wonderful (though exhausting) nachas-filled two weeks and the moment of truth has now arrived: Bubby and Zaidy must say goodbye.
Is Bubby relieved that her house has been restored to a livable state? That it no longer resembles the aftermath of torrential Hurricane Shimmi Aliza Gershon and others too numerous to mention? Absolutely.
But beneath the superficial layers of emotions like relief and freedom is the dull ache of longing of losing the day-to-day love and togetherness that family visits inevitably bring about. Grandchildren grow up quickly and Bubby won’t always be there when this one takes his first step and that one has a solo at her siddur party.
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