Eight years ago, our biological clocks were winding down. Our friends were having great-grandchildren; we hadn't yet started on the "grand." Then, in January 2002, our older son, Sean, who lived in New York City, went to Rio de Janeiro on vacation and met Sharon, who lived in London, on Ipanema Beach. After a long-distance relationship, Sean moved to the London area. The following year, Lily was born, followed by Teddy two years after that, and Iris two years ago—all three bright and beautiful.

Three years ago they moved to Bath. They bought a house (built in 1775), remodeled it, and opened a B&B. Sharon manages the B&B, Sean's job involves travel, and with three children they are busy. How could we be part of their lives?

For starters, we visit once a year. We leave Kansas City early in the morning, spend hours in a connecting city, travel all night, and arrive, bleary-eyed and sleepless, at 9:00 a.m. UK time to greet three bright-eyed children and their parents.

For two weeks we climb up and down five flights of stairs. Bath is built on hills, so we negotiate those heights, too. As a bonus, we develop thighs of steel. We attend birthday parties; take the children to the "bouncy castle" frequented by harassed "mums," professional nannies, and tired grandparents; and spend hours in parks and toy stores. It is such fun! When we return home, I crash for a week. God usually gives children to younger people for a good reason.

It's difficult to keep in touch during the 50 weeks when we don't see the children or their parents, especially with a six-hour time difference. Sean buys blocks of phone time, and we talk on the phone or Skype every couple of weeks. Skype is wonderful for face-to-face or video conversations. Check it out at www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home.

I buy cards at dollar stores and send them with stickers or photographs of our dog, Sammy. Postage to the UK is high. The cards cost 50 cents, and sending each one costs around $1.

For years we sent gifts regularly and successfully, although expensively, until this year, when we were twice caught up in the UK's value-added tax. We now mail presents in separate padded envelopes and insure them for a low amount so they won't be spot-checked. Avoid sending electronics! For gift hints, I ask young mothers in my exercise class what their children like.

Children's interests span the continents. We've progressed from Dora the Explorer to High School Musical with Lily, action heroes and miniature cars with Teddy, and beginner books and dolls with Iris.

Here are a few grandparenting Web sites, many for long-distance grandparents:

• www.grandparents.com/gp/content/expert-advice/long-distance-grandparenting/index.html
• www.grandparenting.org/long-distance,htm.htm
• http://grandparenting.suite101.com/article.cfm/long
  _distance_grandparents
• www.grandparentsmagazine.net/longdistance.htm
  
• www.grandloving.com/longdistance.html
  
• www.chiff.com/home_life/grandparents/fun-stuff.htm. This site has free e-cards; many are animated. Click "Grandparenting" and type "E-cards for Grandkids" in the search box at the top right of the page. Choose the hyperlink "Fun with Grandkids Online." The e-cards should appear at the bottom left of the page.

Grandchildren are the glow in their grandparents' lives. Love, like light, can travel far.