My introduction to Bananagrams
My siblings were here last weekend. When Tom and I arrived at the get-together a game of Bananagrams was in progress. Though the game has been around for several years, this was my first time to play.
After a quick explanation of the rules, I counted out my tiles and joined them in the middle of their game. Bananagrams is much like Scrabble, except that you don’t have a board. You create your own grid with words made up from the tiles you have drawn from the “bunch” on the table. (If you want to know more about Bananagrams, this link will answer all your questions!)
I sorted through my 21 tiles, looking for words to create and link together. But I couldn’t find any way to connect them all. I had a couple of words here, several over there, and a loose word that went with nothing else.
After several rounds I learned to fit all my words into the grid. However, the task of using all my letters to make words was an even bigger challenge. What in the world could I do when all the letters I had left were four e’s, an x and a q?
Finding words is proving to be a challenge for me in my daily life as well.
I notice it even more right now as grief is my companion.
How about you? Do you struggle to find words?
In this article in Psychology Today, Michelle Braun, PhD, offers five tips to tame word-finding difficulties. She calls the problems with word retrieval “brain blips” and says that they are a normal part of aging. “Word-finding difficulties happen to the average person multiple times per day, and increase with age. In rare situations, they may be a symptom of a brain disorder,” says Braun. Her five tips for managing when we can’t come up with a word could be just what you need if this is a problem for you.
If you are concerned that memory issues could be a bigger problem for yourself or a loved one…
…here are two resources:
• This article about the impact grief can have on our memory.
• This video from the National Institute on Aging might be a help for you.
One last Bananagrams story
The bag in which you store the letter tiles for Bananagrams is a bright yellow bag in the shape of a banana. When the TSA agent scanned my sister-in-law’s carry-on, he saw the Bananagrams bag. He kindly asked her to take her “banana” out so he could see it. With a smile, Gail complied. When the agent saw what it was he had a good laugh. It turns out that Banangrams is a game that brings all kinds of people together!
Love,
Ginger
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This is one of those trying times when there seems to be a path of sinkholes. As you had written prior, it does cause us to realize our need to be closer to our God. We are suddenly slipped out of our comfortable normal routines, picking which activity we will choose to do, and then wham!
“What is this? Oh no, not this!”
Our attention to this brand new situation seems to hover over us. So much to process. So many pieces to help with, or not. It takes His discernment to guide us of right timing, and what to let go of. It’s not always in our court to decide. That’s uncomfortable. With prayer to release, “not my will but yours LORD” we rest in the peace that what happens now, will work out to work out His bigger plan for the people involved.
A friend long ago lost her 50 yr old husband.
I shared a figurine I’d shopped for to lift her deep pain & grief. It was an old sailor kept afloat & safe with his life preserver on!
So strap on that available provision & though the waves are still swaying & the fog thick, things will calm & days get lighter. Even sun to warm your heart once again!
Thankful you working to continue this life blog even when it is truly a stretch to do.
Love you Ginger!
Thank you, Sharon. :-)
Ginger
Sharon, that was such a sweet insight you shared with all of us!
Ginger, next time you and Tom come we will play banana gram! Carrying you in my prayers with love! Deanne
Sounds good, Deanne! And thanks for your prayers.
Ginger
Thanks Ladies!
I’m still grieving for my young friend that passed a month before Peach. My experience & feelings not to be compared to your amazing sister. ….
Truly adore you Ginger!
Sharon, I’m also finding that grief seems to have a life of its own and cannot be gone just because we’ve passed a date on the calendar. I’m grateful for God’s healing grace.
Thank you for your love and friendship. You are a dear friend, and I am grateful that I have you in my life!
Ginger
It’s impossible to ever impact you, the way you have me throughout the years. I aspire to have the maturity & wisdom you have!