I have found that distance actually helps me be closer to my family. I talk to my older sister and mother almost daily on google chat (i have it on my phone so they can get me anytime, anyplace.) My sister lived in Alaska for years and we found that we got along much better miles apart and am very close to her. I do miss out on talking to my father, but he isn't a phone person nor does he chat; emails are not good because I'm horrible at responding to email since I do it all day at work.
I rarely call my family and if I do call to say hello my father assumes something is wrong. He paniced when I called for his birthday!
On the other side of things, moving has ruined my relationship with my oldest sister. We don't phone, don't email, and don't chat. My nephew had major surgery last year and I wasn't told (found out on facebook...) It's fine and I don't cry anymore about it, especially after my older sister has been given the same treatment since moving the same distance from her, but it did hurt right after I moved.
I also left my cat. She was living with a former co-worker, but they stopped answering my emails. I'm glad yours will be with your mom.