4 tips for staying connected, from migrants who live far from family

Migrants greet something like this: "I send greetings to you to my grandchildren, to my daughter-in-law, and to all those who surround you."

Such elaborated greetings articulate family relationships that stretch across space. They continually create and re-create connections despite the distance.

Migrant families avoid explicit disagreement and signal concerns in subtle ways. 

For instance, if they lack money, they may relate a story of their father's visit to the doctor and include a quote from him lamenting that he cannot afford his new prescription.

Migrant families often reminisce about times when they lived together, recalling humorous incidents or past mishaps that lead to shared laughter.

Sharing these memories not only reflects their past together but also encourages them to imagine what it might be like to live together again.