Mahjong

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You'll always remember your first Mahjong win, right?

My mom was thrilled to call out her very first win and proudly show off her tiles! She's been attending my Mahjong class for the past couple of months, learning the game, playing weekly, and gaining confidence with each session. Watching her progress has been especially rewarding.

Although teaching means I only have about ten minutes at home before heading back out for class, I truly enjoy seeing everyone improve their skills and begin to understand why Mahjong has become such a phenomenon. It's so much more than just a game. It's a community, a chance to make new friends, a mental challenge that exercises parts of the brain we don't always use, and an all-around fun night out.

With only a couple of weeks left in my Monday class, several participants have already begun asking if I'd be willing to continue. They're practically panicking at the thought of it ending! It looks like Mahjong may have earned a permanent place on my calendar. Thankfully, Monday evenings aren't usually booked, so perhaps it's meant to be, despite making for a very long day.

Before long, summer will be in full swing, and I'll be back at the beach, where all New Englanders belong  on summer evenings. But somehow Mahjong has carved out its own special spot in my schedule, and I suspect it's there to stay.

One thing I did get right this week was scheduling a grocery delivery while I was teaching. Tim was put in charge of bringing everything inside and putting it away, so I arrived home to a fully stocked refrigerator and pantry as if by magic...love that. 

As I watched my mom celebrate her win, I couldn't help but think about how wonderful it is that at 86 years old she's still eager to learn something new. She's embraced the challenge, stuck with it, and continues to sharpen her mind while having fun along the way. Good for her for joining the group, making new connections, and proving that it's never too late to learn a new game.... Looks like you can teach an old dog new tricks after all! 

If I'm fortunate enough to reach 86, I hope I'll still be just as curious, just as willing to try new things, and just as excited to call out a winning Mahjong hand. 

"Anyone who keeps learning stays young." ~ Henry Ford