I have not lived close to my parents for most of my life. When I was sixteen I moved from RI to MD, moved back for a short time with them (maybe 6 months) after high school, then out for good. I travelled back to Maryland after a couple of years and have been here ever since. My Mother passed on 10 years ago; my Father lives in Florida, happily with his "girlfriend" (they're over 80 - that just sounds funny) in separate houses. He comes here every Christmas; each of his kids visit him once a year in warmer weather.

My husband, on the other hand, had always lived near his parents (same town, he moved out at 18, though). They have both passed on as well.