One set of grandparents has moved away and they did a video call yesterday with the children (5 and 1). Apart from the fact their Internet must be terrible and it kept breaking up, it just felt sad seeing them on a screen and not in person.
We really miss them and it's been a massive wrench them moving away. They moved to a county they prefer and to live in a country location. For all sorts of complex reasons, we can't stay or visit them until next year.
It doesn't seem like they miss us, they're so happy where they are. So it feels like if we say we miss them, especially as it's Christmas, that's unfair when they chose to live somewhere else that makes them happier. Unfortunately we've had a horrible few months and having extra family support nearby would have been amazing but not to be anymore.
Does it feel shit when family move away? That feeling that you want to say to them don't or move back but you can't. When their life is so much better. And a video call just isn't the same, especially for young children.