A gaggle of kids lived on Bartlett Street in Pittsburgh where I grew up, and we played together nicely despite our age differences.  On the longer days of the year, we all gathered outside after dinner for Capture the Flag, Kick the Can, Red Light Green Light, etc.

In 2025, I am in touch with only one of those neighbors, my friend Etta.  Her family had the first TV on the street, so we gathered there often during junior high school.

I never lived in Pittsburgh after college, but Etta and I have stayed in touch twice-yearly with birthday cards, and more recently emails.  We’ve each lost our husband, and our children do not live nearby, but we haven’t missed each other’s birthdays in seven decades.

I hope the young kids living on the street where I grew up leave their phones in the house and go outside to play after dinner.

I wouldn’t bet on it.