Belated birthday dinner for my eldest. The big 23. A special occasion, smart phones were purposely moved to the center of the table/out of reach, while actual, focused conversations took place among three undistracted participants. It was nice.

Of course, once the meal was consumed and after I was given the check, one by one, we started having a few little typed conversations with people who weren’t at the table. At one point, there we were – all three of us — gaze turned downward, fixated on our phones. Not really a complaint, by any stretch; it was a brief moment. It’s just a sign of the times. But we make it work.

Besides, I can’t complain. I love this picture. And these boys.