We seem to have lost our spirit of family and community on this level at least. Everyone doing his/her own thing?
I couldn't agree more. The Amish still have it right. In this day and age, it is very difficult to connect with your community. Huge, sprawling masses of housing and people who work all the time, and over-schedule their children...instead of letting them play ball in the street. Of course, in many neighborhoods that just isn't feasible anymore. Back when we were kids, that's how the neighbors got to know one another. Another thing is people moving away from family just to earn a living. Sometimes you don't meet up unless there is a wedding or funeral. I haven't seen most of my family since I was 15, and we went to a family reunion in MA.