I saw a family member the other day. We were all together—laughing, catching up, telling the old stories we’ve told a hundred times—and he was there, but not really there. His eyes were on his phone. Scrolling. Tapping. Swiping. Nodding along to conversations he wasn’t part of.

And I’ll tell you, it was sad. Frustrating, too.

Because moments like that—moments when family is together, when stories are shared and memories are made—don’t come around every day. And when they do, you’ve got to grab them. You’ve got to be in them. Not halfway. Not with one eye on the screen and one ear on the conversation. All in.

When I was your age, we didn’t have phones glued to our hands. If we were distracted, it was by a wandering thought or maybe the smell of dinner coming from the kitchen. But now, it seems people miss everything around them because they’re chasing everything else.

So here’s a little grandpa-style advice:

Be where your feet are.
If you’re with people you love, be with them.
If someone’s telling you a story, listen to it.
If your kid is tugging on your sleeve, look in their eyes.
If your parents or grandparents are sitting at the table, put the phone down and sit with them. You might not get another chance.

One day, the people you love will be gone. One day, all you’ll have are memories of the way they laughed, the way they looked at you, the warmth in their voice. Don’t let those moments pass you by because your attention was somewhere else.

I’m not saying phones are bad. I use mine, too (mostly to look up the weather or how to fix a leaky faucet). But when it’s time to connect, I put it away. Because nothing on that screen is more important than the people in front of you.

So next time you’re with your family—or even just sitting with a friend—try this: silence your phone. Look up. Be present.

Life’s richest moments happen when you’re paying attention. Don’t miss them.