Long-Distance Grandma

A few years ago, I remember sitting on a plane next to a teenage girl who was going to visit her Grandma in the States. She lived in Europe where her mother was born, but over the years she would visit her father's family who lived in the States. I was curious as to how often she saw her Grandma and how close she was to her. I was encouraged to hear her share how much she loved her Grandma and that she felt very close to her even though she only saw her once a year. 

Our family is scattered from the Midwest to California to New Zealand. I get to see some of them more than others, but I do hope my growing grands can say the same about this Grandma when they are in their teens. I recently made a visit to my Kiwi grands, with an extended stop-over in CA along the way–making the above a reality. 

A 3-day stopover in Pasadena before heading to NZ.
What a joy to spend time with Josh, Kari, Stella, Leo, and Julie.
A fun afternoon at Santa Monica Beach. 

Botanical Gardens in Christchurch with Jamie, Evee, and Iris.

Keeping entertained with G'ma's phone camera in the back seat of the car on a day-trip to Hanmer Springs. 

Walking Evee to and from school, dropping Iris off at Kindy, playground fun,
Saturday mornings at the market, afternoon teas, shopping,
 doing life together. . . taking in all I can in my once a year visit. 

And last, but not least, Papa crashed the All Girls Party, but we didn't mind at all! 

Love being Grandma to Stella and Leo, GrGr to Miles, and Grammy to Evee and Iris!