I feel incredibly lucky to be living across the ocean from where I grew up. I feel even luckier to have such easy ways to connect with everyone I had to leave back in the U.S.
I just finished a lengthy conversation via Google Hangouts that included my parents, my brother, and my sister-in-law. We live in three different cities and connected with four different devices. One of the worst things about my transcontinental move was ending up even farther away from my immediate family, so this conversation was no small thing for me.
I can’t even imagine making a move like this in the days when you had to say goodbye and get on a boat, expecting to never see those people again. The days when a letter was the most contact you could hope to have with distant relatives. How isolating it must have been, how scary, to lose the contact and support of those who know and love you most.
These days, when I feel lonely I can make a Skype call, have a Google Hangout, write an email, share photos, and keep up with my friends’ and family’s lives via Facebook. On Christmas day, my family set up a transcontinental video feed so we could all open presents “together.” Nothing will replace being with them in person, but technology provides a pretty fantastic replacement.
Expat Linguist 
That sounds absolutely magical! I’m hoping my mom and dad will get a webcam so we can videochat too! I can’t imagine living so separated and not being able to chat with my family. The days when a letter, even through the modern postal system, was all you got, that had to take a TON of strength!
I’m moving from Indiana to Florida after I graduate in December. Scared out of my mind but excited too! I hope my family will still stay in touch as we move further away from each other.
Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
I moved from Iowa to California after finishing college, so I understand that kind of move, too! It was hard to be so far away from my family–I am still jealous of my brother, who lives in the same state as our parents. But in my experience, if you want to stay in touch with your family, you will find a way to do it even if you live far away. Good luck with your move!