We celebrated a very special moment in our house last week. I honestly thought of calling CNN so they could break into whatever trite election coverage they had on at the moment. This was that big.
My wife played Parcheesi with me.
Bridget has developed a great love for playing board games. We have encouraged this because it’s something we can all do better and – I can’t believe I am saying this – a game of Chutes and Ladders or Mancala is better for a kid than watching TV or playing a video game.
Both Maria and I grew up playing a lot of games so we enjoy this diversion. Well, we do most of the time. Like all kids, Bridget likes to win and sometimes goes a little too far in her quest for victory.
Sometimes she learns a lesson. But sometimes she makes a little sad face and decides she doesn’t want to play anymore.
Which brings us to the momentous decision by my wife to open up the Parcheesi box.
Bridget asked to play the game and I let out a laugh. After all, I didn’t know how to properly explain “The Parcheesi Incident” to my daughter.
Much to my surprise, Maria not only agreed to play with Bridget, but she even said it was OK if I played.
The last time Maria and I played the game was about seven years ago. I don’t remember the exact date, but I clearly remember what happened.
As is the case with a lot of games, Maria was winning. I just don’t always have the luck in board games (except Yahtzee because I kick butt in Yahtzee). I watched her get three of her four pawns close to home and resigned myself to a loss.
Then, I caught a break. I hit a lucky roll and sent her final pawn back to the beginning. This shouldn’t be that big of a deal except her pawn was one space away from getting into a safety zone and effectively ending the game.
Maria didn’t appreciate that.
She appreciated it even less when I sent her pawn back to the start a second time. But she really got steamed when I ended up winning the game.
She quickly packed up the game and stormed off. Maybe I rubbed it in a little. I honestly don’t remember, but I bet I wasn’t the best winner on the planet.
Apparently, that wasn’t enough. I was supposed to not send her pawn back to the start. Like that was going to happen.
That effectively spelled the end of Parcheesi in our house. I couldn’t even bring up the game for a few years, much less jokingly suggest we play a game.
That all changed last week. The game came out and we played nicely (I apologized before sending Maria’s pawn back to home the one time I had an opportunity). There were no fights.
Naturally, I have taken it a little easy on Bridget when we play. I don’t try to lose, but I don’t send her pawns back home when I have the chance.
I worry that grudges can be passed down genetically.