Memories flood us when we learned to play games like euchre and 500 as children and the hours we spent doing the same growing up. The fascination it had for me was like a math lesson every time we played. Later, when they were in college, many of the students would gather around the tables in the student rooms and the cards were always on the agenda.

What fun we all had and the challenges were exciting. Now, however, hardly anyone plays cards anymore because computer and Xbox games have taken over many homes. My young grandchildren spend hours in front of the TV with a joystick in hand doing things that have no intellectual advantage. Even adults have fun with things they can do on a computer instead of around a table with the family.

In recent years my efforts have extended to Bridge and also playing 500 at local clubs, which host sessions on weekdays. It’s interesting to see how many of the old folks, like me, enjoy the night and how competitive those efforts can be.

The brain needs stimulation as one ages and there is no better way to exercise it than to have to think of your way to winning at a card game. Isn’t that something that young people will also benefit from? Even though my generation grew up in a different world where TV and computers hadn’t been invented yet, my kids now think they’re smarter because they can beat me on the computer. If only they knew what they are missing.