Five ways to feel close to loved ones who are far away
Amid all the joy of the holiday season can come reminders of loved ones who are far away.
Molly Ovenden knows a thing or two about that. She and her husband recently relocated from Duluth to the UK, where he is from.
Amid all the joy of the holiday season can come reminders of loved ones who are far away.
Molly Ovenden knows a thing or two about that. She and her husband recently relocated from Duluth to the UK, where he is from.
There are five ways that she stays close to friends and family back across the pond:
- Eat “together:” Ovenden’s family has a tradition of making cheesy broccoli rice. “So you sort of decide on a certain type of meal or food that everyone is going to be able to make or have access to. And then you eat that food ‘together,’ taking a photo or doing a video call.”
- Flat Stanley tour: She made a “Flat Baihly” and took her on country walks and to York in Lights. “So maybe your parent or loved one is deployed, so maybe you make a flat version of them and then just have them sitting at the dinner table with you or maybe you take them when the Christmas lights turn on,” she said. “It may feel silly, but it’s really fun to just capture a video or a photograph of you and your flat loved one so you’re able to still create a connection.”
- Write a letter: “Stamps are not that expensive. Just send a card, you know, simple observations. You know how much I love my senses. So just like five sentences. ‘Dear Baihly, here’s something I see, taste, smell, touch, and feel. And hope you’re having a happy holiday time. Love, Molly.’ Like it’s really, really easy to just send something.”
- Be a holiday tourist: Ovenden says not to skip out on annual holiday events just because you’re local. “It’s really fun to actually play tourist,” she said. “Then you can send photos or you can turn them into postcards or you can send them in the mail or even in just an email. And just let them know, ‘I’m thinking of you. And we’re apart, but we’re doing something holiday together in our hearts.'”
- Find “new” loved ones: Don’t try to replace your existing loved ones, but Ovenden suggests finding community where you are. “I think the holidays can be a really lonely time. We’re struggling with loneliness as a society anyway. But the holidays are a really fun time because there are extra events that you can actually engage with. So maybe it’s a community choir. Maybe it is these maker’s markets.”