[KiwiHopeful]

I was discussing this very issue with a colleague of mine the other day. His son and daughter-in-law and new grandson live in Austria, while he is back here in the US. He feels that in some regard it has brought them closer together, even though they are physically apart. The word he used when describing his visits with them in Austria was 'present' and I think that's a good observation.

My own children's grandparents live 3, 7, and 20 hours' drive from here. Obviously, the visits they make are directly related to the distance. The best visits, however, are with grandma from 20 hours away who the boys see about once a year--we don't so anything special, per se, it's just that the time itself is more valuable.

This has been a difficult decision for me, from the opposite side. I guess ultimately it has come down to two things: 1. this is the best decision for my sons, on balance and 2. (as MB pointed out) each of us lives our own life. (Sorry, I think that sounds cold, but I hope you know what I mean.)