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I've been living thousands of miles away from my parents for about 5 years now, but in all that time I have always made sure to call my dad (stepdad) at least once a week and to e-mail my mom every 2-3 days--and we have a long chat session about once a week.
My dad would love to talk with me more often, but it's hard because he never calls me (he doesn't know how to use Skype or phone cards to call internationally)... that can get frustrating after being away for so long. And my mom just freaks out and has panic attacks if she doesn't hear from me for 3 days in a row. I used to have to call her every day in college to let her know that I was okay, and then when I first moved in Iceland (in 2001), I had to e-mail her every day. So I should consider myself lucky that now it's only e-mail every few days, as I approach turning 30 (yeah, seriously). I like contacting my dad. I resent having to contact my mom as much as I do, because I don't like feeling obligated to do anything, and she has always made me feel obligated about everything in our relationship. It's a sore point that I have just learned to accept instead of fight against it.
And here in Iceland, I also have an aunt and uncle who are like parents to me, but I only contact them every couple of weeks, usually by e-mail. If they were my real parents, I would definitely see them more often... but they're not. I spend enough time dealing with my own parents overseas... I don't like having additional extended family obligations here in Iceland, on top of that.
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And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran
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