For the Love of the Game....of Scrabble

It's hard to explain, but my love of Scrabble came early. In my life and family, Scrabble was a rite of passage. A game of skill and strategy taught to me by the original experts, my Nana and my great Aunt Edith. My first years at the game were as a mere spectator. I was invited to play when I was about 12 (I think?). There was no messing around, you either played a serious game or you didn't play. I learned the tricks of the board.


I learned to always play the triple, learn those weird Scrabble words that no one know the meaning of, and make as many words as possible in one turn. And one day it happened. I beat the masters of the game. I was a legitimate Scrabble player.

When I was single, I discovered an online version of the game. I could play Scrabble lovers world wide, anytime...day or night. Then I met Mr. Goodin. When we first met, Mr. Goodin quickly learned that Scrabble for me was not a recreational game, this was a serious game. However, he wanted to learn how to play it my way. We started off slowly. He was a quick study, I must say. When we were dating, my first gift from him was a Scrabble dictionary! I knew he was the one for me.


Scrabble has been a big part of our life for the last five years. It was even included in a song sung in our wedding ceremony. However, yesterday, as we sat in the backyard enjoying a beautiful afternoon, it dawned on me that the game is much more for us.

It sparks our competitive nature and it gives us quiet place to talk with no distractions. Scrabble with coffee & jazz on a Sunday morning, Scrabble at the pool, Scrabble on the beach, or in the backyard and yes, in the airport too....Scrabble brings us to a calm place in this busy chaotic world. It gives us a time out from all the things that we are each responsible for. It stops the roller coaster of life for just a little while. The joy of the game is the simplicity but it makes our lives less complex too. Yesterday, while waiting for my turn, I looked around to enjoy my surroundings. The signs of spring were everywhere. Buds on the mango tree, orchids in bloom, the neighbor dog, and coconuts in bloom. The "ah" moments in full play.

Mango buds...summer is coming

 

When I stop taking pictures, I realized I like watching him play. He is so intense and methodical (this is the engineer in him). He studies the board and wants to make sure every move counts. No matter how competitive our play, compliments are free flowing along with high fives and kisses for good plays. I never expected my life partner to embrace this game with such enthusiasm. I taught him every trick I know and I find it amusing that the tables of winning have turned. A worthy opponent in every sense of the word.

 

 Somewhere, my Nana and Aunt Edith are smiling.