Something of Nana’s

Over the summer I learned how to play, enjoy and look forward to a weekly game of Mah Jongg. Originating in China, the game involves some skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a degree of chance.

I love it because I can gather with friends, (making new friends is important to me) have something to look forward to on my calendar weekly and I just inherited my Nana’s Mah jongg set that she played with at her weekly game.

My uncle offered it to me and I quickly accepted. He packed it up and sent it to a friend who was visiting their home city in Texas. My friend brought it to me (here in Abu Dhabi) in his luggage (a very generous gesture as it weighs 15 pounds!) I received it yesterday and opened it for the first time last night. I am so happy and grateful to have it and that my uncle and friends brought it to me.

As I organized the set, the musty, happy smell filled my nose and heart with love. I remember my Nana and her friends sitting around the table of four declaring “4 bam!” “Red Dragon!” and “8 Crack!” As a kid those were special grandmother words. *NOTE: both my grandmothers played Mah jongg!

Today, we use many of the same words, a little different depending on the locale, the same sets and the same love of friends sitting around a square table. My heart is filled with pride as I will show my friends this set tomorrow at our game.

Aloha,

Denise

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