Game Night

I am reminded of the children's books that came out in the 1990s that had the stories within stories. Remember those? The reader was carried along until a choice appeared at the end of a section, and they were presented with two options and directions on where to turn.

The story had its twists and turns, and there were five or six junctures. The stories weren't long, and often it was even more fun to go back to the beginning and find out where it would have ended had there been other choices.  Those books helped develop decisionmaking and individual choice.

There is something about game night that does that, too, in addition to visit over dessert and cards. It's informal and friendly, with undiluted communication. Teasing is encouraged.  Families bond.

At the game table, everyone is welcome and equal, little ones on up.  We learn concentration and the importance of keeping to the rules. That competitiveness is good. That it feels better to win than to lose and even worse to cheat and get caught. That sportsmanship and teammanship make it easier to reach the goal.

All those millions of seemingly insignificant game night help our life take shape and direction, but we don't know that. All we know is the fun of sitting around shooting the breeze, laughing and looking at each other as we learn how to play.