Scrabble is Sanity
My friend Mara and I have a lot in common. We both experienced a traumatic loss of a loved one 4 years ago (and in my case 2 losses), we’re both writers, we’re both from Floyd and have lived alter-native lifestyles,* we both worked at “Seeds of Light” bead shop for many years, we used to make jewelry, and we both love Scrabble.
Mara was very close to Elliot, a friend and member of our Writers’ Circle, of which both Mara and I belong, who died a few weeks ago. And I just lost my dad.
“Could you handle a game of Scrabble?” she asked me over the phone, after telling me how down she’s been feeling lately.
“Yes, it could be the perfect diversion. I think it would help us to stop, but also keep us busy,” I answered, knowing she full-well understood my logic.
“Scrabble is sanity!” she said when we met later at the Café Del Sol for a therapeutic game. She slapped her notebook down on the table, and we laughed when we noticed that it was exactly like mine, also on the table.
Judging by the papers sticking out of Mara’s notebook, I remarked that she looked to be busier than me. “But the truth is, this is only one of about 5 notebooks that I have going at the same time,” I said to her. She nodded knowingly.
It was my first day out-and-about in town since my father died. “I love the way Scrabble gives me a context to be social, and yet, I don’t have to be sociable in a direct way,” I told her.
“Yes,” she agreed, “and if someone comes over to talk to us, it’s okay to ignore them if it’s your turn to play.”
I played the first word REFUTE. “Wouldn’t Elliot have liked that word?” I said. “He hated when I played words that were too common, while I have only ever cared about what they can score,” I added.
Friends and acquaintances drifted over to talk to us. Most asked ‘Who’s winning?’
“Why can’t you ask something like who’s having the most fun?” Mara, who was losing at this point, said to one of our visitors.
We didn’t ignore anyone. We enjoyed interacting with each person who came by our table, joking and taking turns talking to them. At one point, I had a SCRABBLE (which Mara always argues should be called BINGO) on my rack, but couldn’t find a place to play it.
“Why don’t you go outside and smoke a cigarette,” I said to her, while studying the board. “I need some time to think.”
After she went outside to smoke, I elicited some help from our friends, Bernie and Chris, by announcing, “Look!” And then, “I’m having anxiety. I have a SCRABBLE (using all 7 letters for a bonus 50 points), and I’ve never had one before. But I can’t find a place to play it.”
Mara came back. I never got the SCRABBLE. I settled for the word ZERO.
“ZERO. 35 points,” I announced to Mara, who was keeping score.
“No, that’s zero. I’m giving you a zero,” she joked.
While Mara was taking her turn, I went to the computer at the table behind ours to check my blog and found a comment from my blogger friend Leanne, who was aware that I recently lost my father, which said, “I wish for you a nice cup of tea and game of scrabble, to bring you peace, challenge your mind, and ease the pain in your heart.”
I don’t believe it! I am playing Scrabble and drinking tea,” I blurted out and then read the message out loud to Mara.
“I QUIT!” she said.
You can’t quit! Why would you quit?” I asked as I got up from the computer to see what was wrong.
“No, I just played the word QUIT,” she answered with an impish grin.
It was probably the first time that we didn’t finish our game. I was shocked when I looked at the clock and realized that we had been in the Café playing for 3 hours. Mara had a school paper she wanted to read to me before we parted ways. She had to pick up her daughter, and I had a list of errands to do. We hugged goodbye and bolted out the café door, hoping to get home before the predicted bad weather.
*Post Note: Mara (shown in the photo playing her Q) and I have home schooling in common. She was a product of it, and I provided it for my sons when they were young. “Alter-natives,” a play on words first coined by my Floydian friend and fellow poet, Will, refers to a community of people living a back-to-the land sort of lifestyles that may include homebirth, homebuilt, homegrown, and living off the grid.
December 10th, 2005 10:50 am
What a wonderful story Colleen…I love that you both have so very much in common; it certainly is comforting to have a friend or friends that you can be completely yourself with, isn’t it?
I’m here from Michele, this morning…and happy to be here, as always!
December 10th, 2005 10:53 am
What a rich and fulfilling experience – both for you to have and for us to witness through your writing. I suddenly have a hankering to take out our Scrabble game and spend some serious word time with my wife.
You always manage to touch the right emotional buttons in your writing.
Michele says hi!
December 10th, 2005 12:22 pm
Thank goodness for scrabble. Thank goodness for friends.
December 10th, 2005 5:09 pm
Colleen,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
December 10th, 2005 8:57 pm
The “Q”, only good to have if you also have a “U”.
But I never do.
We always play when Nyssa and my brother are home.
I better go digging now to find it.
I’m glad you and Mara have each other.
December 10th, 2005 9:21 pm
Another wonderful post.
I’m going to have to see if I can borrow my Mom’s scrabble set. We gave her a rotating table top board for Christmas a few years ago. My wife has never played and I’m sure she would love it. We can play some night after the kids go to bed.
December 10th, 2005 10:52 pm
It’s nice to have a good friend – I have about as many friends as the Pope has jeans.
I lost my mom some time ago and it frankly sucked. My brother put it best – “If there’s a 1 to 10 scale for happiness, we can never reach higher than a seven or eight”
Nice to meet you – here via Michele
December 11th, 2005 12:58 am
Hi Colleen,
Whenever my Sister and I get together we have to play Scrabble. (She lives in another province) This last time (November)was after my Grandmother’s funeral. I agree, Scrabble is therapeutic.
December 11th, 2005 12:38 pm
That cafe is a gem! Mara, too. You, three.
Mary taught me a cool word game she used to play with her siblings on long car rides — for shorter words you can keep it all in your head. Longer words require pen/pencil and paper. This entry is inspiring me to put together and post the rules….
December 11th, 2005 12:58 pm
I always feel better after reading your post. I haven’t played “real” scrabble in years–but have been playing “Kids” scrabble for a couple years now I think my 2nd grader is just about ready to play “Big Scrabble.”
December 11th, 2005 1:36 pm
I didn’t know where to fit this in, so I’ll put this here on your latest blog. What makes life in general so fascinating (and yours in particular) is the infinite variety of life experience. If you have the time, contrast my last 2 blogs for an example of this phenomenon. Some people adapt well to this, coping or reveling as appropriate to the event, some don’t. I think I do well with what life hands out,I know you do.
December 11th, 2005 5:38 pm
Sounds like fun. The original is best.
Have you done sentence scrabble too? http://www.x-entertainment.com/archive/quickies/18/index.shtml
December 11th, 2005 7:39 pm
That was a lovely story. Sounds like you guys needed that game. So sorry about your dad. I love the town of Floyd, its like no other place I know or have ever gone. Very peaceful, natural…we used to love to come to the Pine Tavern, one of my favorite places for years. The nice bartender Al is now down here at Woolwine at another restaraunt.
December 11th, 2005 10:56 pm
I think I better stay away from scrabble. My blog addiction isenough for me.
Floyd sounds like a lovely place though. Love the warmth of your stories, Colleen.
December 11th, 2005 11:29 pm
hi – here from micheles to look around
December 11th, 2005 11:31 pm
It’s so great you have a friend like Mara who is there for you right now, and you can be there for her as well. I hope you can both rely on each other all through the upcoming year and find enjoyment in each other’s company during the hard times.
Here via Michele’s.
December 13th, 2005 4:13 pm
Thank goodness for Scrabble sanity. You sound like wonderful friends.
March 7th, 2006 1:03 am
I really enjoy reading your articles. Keep up the great work.
TBoardenson