The pandemic has forced all of us to find new ways of communicating and for me, some efforts have been more successful than others.  I tutor a young woman from Taiwan through the ELL program at the Newton Library.  We have met regularly on FaceTime throughout the pandemic but I am not proud of how it has gone. We had a warm, flowing, easy communication  when we were able to meet in person. However, our  FaceTime meetings are less satisfying for both of us and I am sure, less helpful  to her.  I find that on FaceTime I am lazy, lack originality, watch the time.  I hope that this reflection will prompt me to do better. On a more positive note, I am grateful to the pandemic for enabling me to strengthen my connection to my three stepsisters.   Our parents married when we were all adults and despite our parents efforts, we never came together as a family.  When our parents died, we worked to be closer out of respect and love of their memory.  Sadly it never really worked until the pandemic. We were kind to each other and  respectful but distant.  I am thankful to Zoom for offering us a chance to “gather as a family” and share what we can, knowing that we are very different people with different perspectives and experiences.