It is funny how Life imitated life today…well – at least it was an ideal representation of how things should be. After breakfast, we decided to play a board game as the weather has been wet and dreary. The oldest children chose Life and so we set it up and began playing. To go to college (and get in debt) in the hopes of getting a killer career and paycheck…or just begin on a career path? Two of us chose careers…and the other two chose college…and off we went. After a while, it became evident that Bird was in trouble. No matter how hard she tried, she kept getting in more and more debt. Although she attended college, she ended up with a mediocre career and only $30K as a salary…and life kept happening to her. College debt – check. Pay taxes but don’t have the money – take out a loan. Land on a square that says you have to pay to repair your car…and more loans, more debt. She wasn’t doing anything wrong…it was just life. I give her kudos for not decking her brother who kept making fun of her; she just kind of chugged along hoping things would get better.
My husband – the other college graduate – became a doctor and got the prized $100K salary. He saw what was going on…but didn’t do anything. And my oldest…he just chugged along, too, happy to not be drowning and generally making people upset with his rude and antagonistic comments. And I…I didn’t go to college but ended up with a nice career…and every time someone spun and it landed on the line, they had to pay me $50K to “fix” it as I was the computer tech. I started to make pretty good money and so I shared my bounty. I paid off about half of Birdie’s debt and bought some stock. I wasn’t saying much of anything even when my husband and son made snarky remarks…but Birdie – she was very grateful. And at the end of it all…did the college graduate win with his $100K salary? No. Did the schmucky antagonistic tween cruising along happy to just exist win? No. I won…and Birdie almost beat her Dad. When we counted up our money and I won, they were incredulous. “But you gave all that money away!!??” “I know…God is good.” “But, but…” “I don’t know how I did it D…maybe it’s a hint for your future.” “Aw, Mom…you’re a dork!!” Maybe I am a dork…but I’m a dork that won!! Hey, look – I’m not trying to be preachy about anything… I’m just commenting on some things that caught my attention.
Anyhow – today was Mystic Park
Anyhow, we packaged up 20 Bingo prizes and we headed out with our youngest who is five. We had to explain to Liam that he had the power to scare these old people so he had to remember to be gentle with his voice and slow with his ninja moves. He seemed very interested in this adventure we were taking him on. When we walked in, people seemed to recognize us and were just a tad bit friendlier. Then again, maybe they were taken with Liam as they positively stared at him with smiles on their faces. We encouraged Liam to greet as many people as he could and the people reached out to him and shook his hand and asked for hugs…and Liam made us proud by obliging these friendly strangers. I wish I could have caught him in a picture winking at me in delighted pleasure at all the joy he seemed to be inspiring.
We walked into the Bingo room and were glad to see Ms. Pauline who was sitting with a new group of people. I greeted Ms. McCee (haha – not Mickey!) who was sitting at a table with the before unknown man who shared his name is Mr. Eppy. Even the grumpy lady was there with a new group of people. I was sad that I didn’t see Ms. Helen Tezel but just as they were getting ready to start, she was wheeled in and placed at a table by herself. Seems she had just woken up from a nap and she was going to have a cup of coffee and a banana. After greeting her with hugs and smiles, I got called away to help a new lady and left Liam with Pat. Pat ended up sitting with Ms. Grumpy-Pants and Liam…well Liam got to sit with Ms. Helen…alone…at their own table. I must admit I was a bit nervous as I was across the room and Pat was a couple of tables away but Liam behaved like a champ…and so did Ms. Helen! I worried he would bother her. I worried he would talk when she was trying to hear for the numbers. I thought she would prefer to have him away from her…but guess what? I couldn’t have been more wrong!
During a very short break in the gameplay, I went over to make sure they were both okay. Liam was telling her a story about his superhero figurine and Ms. Helen was listening very attentively and smiling. Liam then started to place her Bingo chips in a random design all over the table and when I told him to leave them alone as Ms. Helen needed them for the game, she very politely told me to leave them alone as they were fine. Alrighty, then! I left the two new friends alone.
When Bingo was over, Ms. Helen said she wanted to be Liam’s grandma and that he could call her grandma. We asked Liam if he would like this and he smiled really big. We told her we would be back…with Liam…and as we walked away, Liam turned back to give her a hug. I’m not sure what all happened between those two…it was very touching.
Maybe that is yet another reason why we should be like children. Liam really didn’t see anything “weird” or intimidating about Ms. Helen despite the fact she was in a wheel chair and filled with wrinkles. He didn’t care that they had never met before. He didn’t worry about whether he would say something clever or interesting…or even offensive for that matter. He was just himself and engaged her the way he knows how…with simple stories and asking her what she thought about his comments. He wasn’t afraid to just “be” with her as sometimes when I would look over their way, he was playing with his figurine as Ms. Helen watched not even paying attention to the numbers being called out. It was as though they were just comfortable to be next to each other breathing the same air for a bit.
When I grow up, I want to be just like Liam…
Until tomorrow…
Annie
Beautiful, Annie.
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