I don ban my grandchildren from calling me on WhatsApp. Here is my reason

My granddaughter called me last Sunday and before I could say 'Good afternoon', she had already sent three voice notes. Three. In my time in the civil service, we wrote memos. We thought before we spoke. Now everybody is talking and nobody is hearing anything.

So I told all five of my children: no more WhatsApp calls to Baba. If you want to talk to me, come and sit on this veranda. Bring your face. Bring your trouble. Bring your questions. I will make you tea and we will talk like human beings. My wife said I am too harsh. Maybe. But the Yoruba say, bi oba ti ri ni mo ti n ri. A word is enough for the wise.

My son the lawyer said I am old fashioned. I told him, my father never called me on any phone for 30 years and we were closer than you and your children will ever be. Is it the phone that makes the relationship, or the presence? You tell me.