Video Calls Keep “Framily” Connected.
The pandemic has a lot of us leaning heavily on video calling to connect to the outside. The ability to see our loved ones in real-time has been one of the best ways to decrease stress and increase communication in the midst of social distancing. This virtual connection with family and friends may be receiving renewed importance in your household, but video calling is a tool near and dear to all military families.
This wonderful means of communication has been bringing military members and their families together for almost two decades, helping them cope with distance and long deployments.
In my news article for the U.S. Navy in 2003, Sailors aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) were deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terror. For the first time in ship’s history, video teleconferencing was made available to select crewmembers with family in San Diego. With technology that we now take for granted, Sailors in the throes of war were able to see their children’s faces and blow a kiss to their spouses.
This pandemic may be creating a sort of inner battle against the blues, but I encourage each of you to reach out to your loved ones with the technology that you have available to you and connect as best you can.
Here’s a list of some of the free video calling Apps we enjoy here at home:
- Facebook Messenger
- FaceTime
- Skype
My mother has an awesome quote on display in her house that reads: “Family ties are precious threads, no matter where we roam, they draw us close to those we love, and pull our hearts toward home.”
Even if you don’t have family you’re close to, reach out to friends. In the military community, there’s a popular word called “framily.” It’s a mash up of friends and family. Yes, blood is thicker than water, but water is a life-sustaining substance that every human being needs. Sometimes, friends can keep you going even better than family, especially when they can identify with the hardships you’re facing in the moment. Find your framily!
…And if you really do feel alone—if you don’t have any family or friends to connect with—remember that God is always listening.
One of his greatest disciples, Pope Francis, is offering daily Mass from Vatican City. You can watch it translated in English via Catholic TV. Today would have been Pope Saint John Paul II’s 100th Birthday, so it was a special celebration.
Let’s connect again next week, Framily. Until then, you can join Mothering Humanity on Facebook where we can continue the conversation.
Best,
Kristine
“Video Call” Photo Courtesy of Matilda Wormwood at Pexels.com.
Kristine DeHoux 
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