Today’s post is simple. Play a game. Play a game with your family.
If it is just you and a spouse, play a game with your spouse. Some of my greatest memories with Marita from the times BC (before children) are playing games. One time stands out. We were playing Farkle and I was beating the daylights out of Marita. She was going on and on about how unfair all her die rolls were. Then I started having a streak of bad luck and decided to act like she had. She thought is was funny. After one particularly bad roll for me and a good roll for her I started acting really, really disgruntled. I grabbed my glass of water and threw it on her. Under most circumstances, I’m sure that would be awful. But in our playful mood it was hilarious. We both broke down laughing.
If you have kids, play a game with your kids. Have fun. Let them laugh. Let them cut up. Let them have a good time. This is where I have trouble. I’m naturally competitive. Once a game gets started I am on the war path. Sadly, when I get like this, games can be far from fun. So, I’m trying to loosen up. Every once in a while, when the kids get carried away with laughter and I start getting on to them, Marita will call my attention to the way I’m behaving by saying, “That’s right kids. Don’t you dare have any fun while playing this game.” I laugh, lighten up, and let the game go on.
Here is what I try to remember. When my kids are out of the house, do I want them to remember that Dad always beat them at the games or that they had a lot of fun playing games in our house? I’m sure you can guess the answer.
Anyway, whatever you do today, play a game with your family. If you just don’t have time to do it today, make sure you play a game before the week is over. You’ll be amazed what memories you create and what you can accomplish in your family with a few game nights.
Have a great week with your family.
