One Way to Stay Connected: Play Video Games

I'm old enough to remember a time before cell phones, when everyone had a land line, long-distance calls were expensive, and local plans had tiered rates depending on how many calls you made a month. So while my kids don't know any better, I'm especially appreciative of the technology that helps me stay in touch with family and friends right now.

My boys play various video games with friends on their laptops and consoles, and they talk while they're playing. I'm grateful they have a way to stay in touch with their peers.

I've taken to playing Words with Friends with my mom. I had to teach her, but she was a quick learner. The nice thing about Words with Friends is that you don't have to be online at the same time, because it's turn-based. We're not talking, but it helps me feel connected to her. 

Are there other games or ways you're using to stay connected with loved ones?