It doesn’t matter that you’re on the other side of the world. It doesn’t matter that you’re in the middle of some crazy period at work. It doesn’t matter that you don’t have custody this week. It doesn’t matter that your schedule has you working opposite hours from your family.

Just because you’re not physically with your family, doesn’t mean you can’t still be with them. In fact, you have to be. You have to stay on the same timeline as them. Meaning: You can’t lose track of the rhythms of their life just because you hopped on a plane, just because they might not be living with you at the moment, just because you’re running from meeting to meeting, just because you haven’t been outside and seen the sunlight since you can’t remember when.

You might not be able to keep track of the time zone or the days anymore, but that’s not an excuse for forgetting what’s going on with them. Know, as you’re going to bed at some terribly late hour, where they are in that moment. Know, in the middle of that meeting, that they’re heading to practice (and send them a message). Be ready, even if you’re far away, for the chance that they might need you—even if only spiritually or emotionally. Stay in touch. Stay connected. Don’t let distances—or anything—break that connection.

We stay on their timeline. We stay rooted in who we are and what is happening at home because that is the center of the world. That’s what matters. That’s what we’re tracking.