My Gram, my hero.

At first glance, this nudge isn’t much of a stretch. My siblings and I talk almost every day, especially during this year of being shut in as we share in supporting and caring for our parents.

But when was the last time we really talked? How long has it been since we explored the stuff below the surface—our dreams, our goals, our deeply held beliefs* about anything?

I haven’t yet decided if this week’s nudge will involve a sib or a cousin, but I am feeling inspired by the above photo of our grandmother. I found it in a random box (one of the perks of decluttering), and she has held a place of honor on my desk for the past few weeks. I’m thinking I might send it via text messaging with a conversation prompt, like: “Remembering Gram today. I see her in your daughter’s smile.”

Through an email, text message, letter, or call, you might share:

• a photo of an ancestor: “I wonder what he’d think of iPhones/FitBit/Harry Styles?”
• a memory: “Remember when we/they…”
• a family tradition: “I miss the days when…”

Most of all, I think the message in this week’s nudge is: “I miss you.”

* But not politics. We’ve all seen enough rifts in our family networks over the past few years. Maybe now we can try to mend some of those hurts by reconnecting over the things we have in common. If that resonates with you, go for it; if not, call someone who you know will make you feel good. Because the whole point of this nudging project is to lift our spirits. XO