Back in the old days, when I was a child, we sat around the family round table at dinner time and exchanged our daily experiences. It wasn't very organized, but everyone was recognized and all the news that had to be told was told by each family member.

We listened to each other and the interest was not put­on; it was real. Our family was a unit and we supported each other, and nurtured each other, and liked each other, and — we were even willing to admit — we loved each other.