You might not think that playing the classic family card game Uno would ever rank in the Top 10 “Little Moments” List of a grown-ass man, but I gotta tell ya, it’s been pretty wonderful.
A nice little benefit to working from home so much and having my mother live nearby is that several times a week I get to enjoy some multi-generational bonding in the form a few hands of Uno over lunch with her and The Eldest (our 7-year-old daughter).
Ah, yes, ’tis simple pleasures like these with the ones I love that really form the essence of this rich tapestry we call “life.”
The point of the story is that I hope that all y’all out there are able to find little moments like this in your own lives during these trying pandemic times. I know it can be tough, but there is still much joy in this world to cling to.
One evening my dear mother came back over to our house after the girls had been tucked into bed. This was actually unusual, because as of late she had been spending 11+ hours a day at our house, 4 days a week, taking care of the kiddos while the Boss Lady and I attempted to Work From Home in the same space while simultaneously remaining a married couple.
That evening, Mom and I were just enjoying some tea and chatting, and decided why not? Let’s play a few hands of Uno while we’re at it.
A couple rounds in, I found myself with 15 or so cards in my hand. While this was a severe handicap if I had any hope of winning by getting rid of all my cards before Mom got rid of her 2 or 3 cards, it made for some interesting opportunities for strategizing.
Apparently, my analytical mind was in overdrive, because I was so deep in thought, mulling over my path to the Most Amazing Uno Comeback EVER, that I didn’t even notice that she had played her last card and the round was over.
Noticing that I was a bit spaced out, she tried to get my attention.
So…are you just gonna sit there and play with yourself?
A concerned mother
Oh. My. God.
Did I hear my nigh-elderly mother just say that?!?
I think she pretty quickly realized what she had said, too, as we both spent the next 3 minutes trying to pick ourselves off the floor and catch our breathes from laughing so hard.
Eventually I was able to muster a response.
Man, that really takes me back to my teenage years…
Don’t worry, though, I’m a grown man now. I think I can “handle myself” just fine…
A Son CLinging perhaps a Little Too Tightly to his “Joy”?
After another hearty round of laughter, she sincerely asked me “Well, how else am I supposed to say that?!?”
Ultimately, we concluded that the key was using the word by instead of with:
Are you going to sit there and play by yourself?
how to talk to your kids about the importance of phrasing
Seriously, though, the point of the story is savor the little moments you have with the ones you love, especially those on the more mature1A euphenism for “old af“, of course. side.
Trust me, there are plenty of people out there how would have killed just to have one last unintentionally awkward conversation with their dearly departed…
Content created on: 28 May 2020 (Thursday)
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