my kids and grandchildren are an 9 hour flight away

Two of my 3 sons live in Australia , one has a wife and 2 yr old daughter . It’s very, very hard not being able to see them very often and unless you are in a similar situation it’s hard to understand the real pain of missing them . However, we’re still fit enough to make the horrendous flight once in a while, and the boys visit for a couple of weeks a year if they can get the time off work . It helps hugely to keep in touch via watts app and FaceTime , and I also use Book depositary to send books to gd every month or so . Also to have knitting or sewing projects for the little one on the go. I brought the boys up to be independent , spread their wings and follow their hearts! But it’s hard ... .

My son and daughter-in-Law and lovely grandsons aged 3 and 6 live an eight hour flight and four hour car journey away, they FaceTime me every Sunday without fail. I visit twice a year and we keep in touch through FaceTime. I lost my husband four years ago and my son and dil know how much this means to me. FaceTime is marvellous as we can all see one another and the little ones don’t forget what granny looks like.
Although there is a seven hour time difference we have sorted that out. If you don’t have FaceTime maybe you could Skype.

One son lives in Portugal the other is thinking of moving to Australia (?) The son in Portugal has been there for 16 years and has a lovely family and life and we get there as often as we can, 2 1/2 hours on the plane is ok but if our other son goes to Australia that is so far away and DH isn;t getting any younger bless him and doesn't travel well so probably wont get there, we chat on facetime etc., which is lovely but I really would love them to be nearer to us. You do get used to it but it doesn't mean it is how you would like it to be. Sending love and hope you can come to terms with it.