As the holiday season quickly approaches, it can be challenging to find ways to connect with extended family if seeing them in person is not always possible. Many Blake students and staff share this painful experience of missing loved ones during the holidays, especially when extended family lives far away.
Sanvi Kurdikar ‘28 shares, “I have cousins who live in Europe, and my grandparents live in India.” She adds that the time difference can have a significant impact, explaining that “it’s usually midnight” for her when she is able to talk to her family, while it is “early in the morning for my family who lives far away.”
Although the time differences can often be difficult, Kurdikar says that she still enjoys doing “WhatsApp video calls and messaging” with her extended family. Similarly, Rio Hanson, the lead security officer for the Upper School, describes that staying connected with family, especially during the holidays, is often through “texting, calling, and mail.”
Encouraging extended family to visit during the holidays, when possible, is another great way to connect with them. Lulu Rosenberg ‘24 explains with a smile that her aunt, who lives in Colorado, “is coming to Minneapolis to celebrate Thanksgiving” with her family.
However, seeing extended family in person during the holiday season is not always a possibility. Kurdikar notes, “I see my cousins in Europe every year, but I can only see my grandparents in India about once every two or three years.” Rosenberg shares that she only sees her aunt “once or twice a year, and sometimes during the summer.” Hanson, who has family living in New Jersey, adds: “I’ve only seen them twice in my life, so not that much.”
Connecting with family is a significant aspect of the holiday season, and even if you cannot see your extended family in person this year, there are many other creative ways to stay in touch with them. So have fun during the holidays this year, and remember that even a short phone call with a family member could make their day.
