Seeing Friends

We are off to see friends tonight and visit.  Seems almost like an obscure thing anymore.  Who, nowadays, go off to ‘visit’ people?

When I was growing up, it was nothing to jump in the car on a Saturday night and take a drive to one of our aunts and uncles homes to ‘visit.’  Normally, the visit was unannounced.  We just showed up.  If they were there, great, if not, that was ok too.  If we went to our one set of cousins (three boys) we would get to play with their cool boy stuff (we had three girls), which was always fun.  Or we would quietly play in the other room while the folks and relatives talked.

As we got a bit older, we were allowed to sit and watch the adults play cards.  I recall sitting in amazement as they held the cards in their hands, studied the cards, re-arranged the cards by color and shape of the diamonds, spades, etc.  They allowed us to pull out a card and lay it on the pile.  They coached us in how to play cards (pitch was the game most often played).  By allowing us to be a part of this, they brought us into the fold, nurtured us and helped to mold us. 

Oh you say, how is that?  They taught us to not get upset with each other, and to remember it was only a game and they made it fun.  They made sure we knew it was a way that people got together, visited and had fun together. 

Those evenings still bring back wonderful members.  Seems like Aunt Marie or Auntie Barb would always have some kind of cake on hand, or cookies for a snack. 

In today’s world, it seems like we have less, and less time to just sit and visit with people.  That age old practice is dying.  People are still connected, but by means of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, text messages, cell phones and such.  When it comes to face-to-face communication, they seem to be lost unless they have their phones in their hands and looking at it every ten seconds.

As parents, we need to set a better example to our youth on the qualities on how to visit with people.  The need to connect with each other on a personal level and stay connected. 

Jo