Since we live six hours apart, my mom and I talk via the phone nearly every day, even just for five minutes to say, "Guess what…!" But for the holidays, my brother who lives in San Francisco with his family introduced us to "Skyping" with the little cameras on top of our PC monitors. Now, we all Skype on Sunday afternoons. Despite the distance, I see my mom probably 12 to 15 times a year, and since my mom lives in a small rural town, she loves everything about the city (Chicago), so we enjoy exploring the museums and seeing musicals and plays in out-of-the-way places in the city.
We've also been known to spend many a Saturday trying to solve the world's problems in our pajamas over coffee. We've volunteered together on various causes and issues over the years, and I've just convinced her to get her involved with something I strongly support—CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a group of trained volunteers who represent and report regarding the best interests of children in the DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) system all over the country. A CASA office just opened in her small town where there is so much need, and I know she would be a great advocate for the children in that area. Our generational differences and attitudes are obvious, but we still love a lively debate.
Jamie Carroll; Wauconda, Illinois
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