My mom (who lives alone and is approaching 80) and I have an agreement: she emails me every morning with "hey" in the subject and no body if she doesn't feel like it. If I don't get an email, I call.
Since we started doing this (years), I feel more connected to her, and we often have conversations that last a while. I can't remember the last time I got a blank email.
I make it a point to call my mom on my 15 minute drive home instead of popping on another podcast. After my father passed, it took me a few years to reflect on the loneliness that she could be feeling. She looks forwards to these calls and I know that they provide a good connection for both of us.
I am considering getting her an apple watch in the next year or two for the emergency call features and fall detection.
This is a weird consequence of getting airpods, but now that I always have the ability to listen and talk I am speaking a lot more with friends that I used to.
I use the walkie talkie function with my mom quite a bit. Luckily, she doesn't initiate with me much but I think she enjoys it when I randomly pop in to ask to see how shes doing.
Sounds like a good agreement and happy that it works out for you. I seem to remain childless and worry sometimes for the time I am in your mother's age
Since we started doing this (years), I feel more connected to her, and we often have conversations that last a while. I can't remember the last time I got a blank email.