My cousins and my aunt, (who is also my godmother) live in Germany.  I had not heard any news about our German relatives since my Dad died in 2004…until I connected with one of my cousins last year on Facebook.

Jutta and I have been able to share vacation photos and occasional family updates.  This past week, I learned that my aunt had fallen and broken her leg.  Jutta updated me a couple times this week on my aunt’s condition and on related discussions she is having with my other cousins, her brothers.  Together, they are trying to decide what the best course of action is with their Mom, who is also showing signs of dementia (she is in her 80s).

Today, I am thankful for how social media is shrinking the world.

A few years ago, I would not have known about my aunt’s fall.  I would not have been able to offer support to my cousin.  I would not have known that one of her brothers lives near my aunt and, hopefully, will be able to check on her.  I would not have known that her other brother lives farther away and suffers with many of the same health issues that my grandfather, uncle and father did.

Hopefully, just knowing that there is someone else who cares is meaningful to my cousin.  Having this electronic connection to my extended and distant family certainly has a lot of meaning to me.  In some ways, I feel that it keeps a connection with my parents alive.  Having such a quick and easy way to communicate is a certainly something to be thankful for.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. -William Arthur Ward

Will you join the gratitude movement?

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