I have to share a funny story.
In our church we have what we call ‘the classic’ group.
Which is basically anyone over the age of 55.
Last Saturday was our gathering time to get together for games and snacks. It started at 4:00 and ended at 6:00.
Then we clean up the room and go home.
Our table decided to play the dice game called Farkle.
It is a low-key game of dice and there are specific rules on how to play it, the table was a good mix of men and women.
It should have been an easy night.
One lady was in her 80’s and she had her self-assigned position of knowing the game (even though we were not sure if she did).
We played according to the rules and then she would say, “Oh you know sometimes the rules can change, if you need them to do that.”
Surprising most of us who had played the game before.
She would role her dice and then… oh a rule change, we all were quiet some kicking each other under the table as if to say, “shush just let her play.”
She was a strong force to contend with and one of the ladies asked if she was a schoolteacher, “Oh yes for many years.”
We could tell.
You know how you instantly feel small.
She was not mean or hard to deal with just funny because the rules of the game changed many times during the short time we played.
I had to think of what it might be like to be in your 80’s and possibly in a room of people you don’t know for the first time in a long time.
It took courage for her to speak up.
To show her control, to allow others to listen to her.
We were like her students one more time.
When we left to go home, I realized she was just trying to fit in, and she was doing a pretty good job of it.
I will always think of her whenever I see her from now on.
A courageous widow lady just trying to help us along on game night.
I just had to share this funny story.