Pexels image

Connected

Is there such a thing as too much?

Is there such a thing as being too “connected”? Can we be loved too much? I usually feel like I’m walking the line between having an appropriate level of connection to my extended family and being in each other’s business too much. Since most of us carry a super computer in our pocket, we can instantly connect socially with a myriad of apps. If today’s mantra is “be present”, don’t our phones often prevent us from actually being present with the people in front of us? There must be a concerted effort to put our phones down.

My mother is 85 years old and lives with my 86 year old father and my 65 year old brother. She has been in remission from cancer for a year, but otherwise is in good health. I am the only other one of her four children who still lives in the same state. I talk to my mother several times a day. We just like to stay in touch about what’s going on. I realize this may seem a bit unusual. Then again, it isn’t common to still have both parents at my age (I’m 56). I usually talk to my brother in California a few times a week, too. We also text a lot. I talk to my sister and her daughter semi regularly. Perhaps my family is closer and more connected than average.

I see the contrast to my boyfriend and his family. His mother is 84 and lives with a son. He has 3 brothers and a sister along with many nieces…