I love my Mum.
I try to talk to her everyday, however when I first left England – way back in 1995 – the cost of doing that was so prohibitive that I could only spend about 2 quick minutes chatting down at the local phone box at the bottom of Corrimal Street in Wollongong.
Phone box … bloody hell, you hardly see those anymore do you.
The thing is, not only was it hard being on the other side of the planet, but my Dad was very ill so I wanted to know how he was going which meant those precious few minutes each night talking to my Mum were packed with even more emotion than usual.
Of course we got through it – well, sort-of – however how I wish SKYPE was available back then, because since it came on the scene, it has had a prolific effect on how I have coped with living away from home.
It’s not just the fact it’s free – though that is obviously fantastic – it’s the fact that it has given me the chance to maintain a deeper, closer relationship with the people I love.
Suddenly I can see their eyes, their frowns, their curled up lips and blinking … it’s amazing … and whilst it’ll never be a substitute for real, live, physical interaction … the difference it has made to me and – for example – my Mum, is enormous.
When your children live away from home it’s hard.
It doesn’t matter how sensible or good they are, there’s always this niggling doubt they’re living under some cardboard boxes next to a freeway.
Skype changes that.
Even though my Mum hasn’t visited us in China yet [May 11th, that all changes!] the fact is she’s seen our apartment, seen the view from our windows and seen her room … it has given her a peace of mind that a phonecall could never achieve and that is priceless.
So many telcos create ads that talk about people sharing moments … but if they did their homework, they’d know it’s much more than just sharing good times, it’s about – as I wrote here [warning, it’s the post about my best friends penis] – making sure you’re not left behind.
So to Skype, I salute you … for all the brands out there that talk about bringing families closer – from telcos to pasta sauces – you do it better than most and you don’t get anywhere near the acclaim you deserve.