When I was a young girl, and I wondered what I would be when I grew up, I saw and imagined many things. My mom would say “I just want you to be happy”. Which is a nice thing to say to your kid…but what could I make of it?
My vision of myself was very clear: it was that little person setting out on the road with the bundle tied to the end of a long stick…seeking my fortune.
I had a beautiful bride doll with auburn hair that I combed over my finger into a flip. This absorbed me completely. I remember the feel of her dress and the feel of that flip stroked around my finger.
I was happy riding my bike.
I was happy reading books from the library.
I was happy with my PERFUME KIT!!!!!!!
I was happy dancing around the table to my mom’s five records: a flapper music record (Barney Google, with the GooGooGoogley Eyes), a Burl Ives record (Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, Prayed for the Moon to Give Him Light), a Kingston Trio record (A Wimowey A Wimowey…in the jungle the mighty jungle, the Lion Sleeps Tonight), Camelot (What Do the Simple Folk Do, When They’re Downhearted and Blue…?”), and my most favorite, the Four Seasons ballet by Aleksander Glazunov!!!
Then as now I was very happy dancing. Hearing music.
Games did not add to my happiness as a child. I was a solitary person, and I could never comprehend why people cared whether they won this or that game. I never cared at all. AT ALL. I usually chose to own Baltic Ave, the cheap property. And Mediterranean. They were the exotic names.
Far away places…light on water…pretty tinkling sound…oh, it’s my turn?
Truly it’s odd that I ended up making a game. But in my later years I have discovered that games are a wonderful way to engage with Other People! You can sit around a table and pass the time with people and really get to know them through playing a game. Cards are fun. My mom is a competitive person (she would vehemently deny this) who suspects all others of cheating in a hilarious way. My sister Echo is sharp at cards and frequently wins.
Happiness is the Holy Grail: it springs up in your heart in a grail shape, yes it does. Once happy, all things are possible, games are fun, you can be single or married, you can dance and sing, you can be completely absorbed in any task to be done on the way to your fortune.
