That game called Life. Or how I got all my pay raises as an officer.

That game called Life. Or how I got all my pay raises as an officer.

Life.

Or should I say the game of LIFE.

*    *    *

Sunday was my daughter’s birthday. She not only awoke one year older; she woke up on the proverbial wrong side of the bed.

By the middle of the afternoon, the privilege to use any electronic device – with the exception of her toothbrush — had been taken away.

“Do you want to play LIFE?” That was her question at about 4:30.

With all other forms of entertainment snatched from her she was reduced to this.

I hadn’t played Life in at least 30 decades, but how hard could it be? I’m over mid-way through the real thing (at least mid-way through the part before I’m messing up diapers again).

Why not do things differently this time?

I chose to forego college and select a career.

Police Officer.

Officer Collins that’s me. I did really well as an officer. Got my raises and got to collect lots of $5000 speeding fines from fellow members of the Life gameboard who were reckless enough to spin a 10.

I got married and acquired two children (a boy and girl). Lost my job and decided to try college this time. And I became an…

Accountant. Ha.The perfect career for me since I have to add 17 + 26 with paper and pencil. But in the game of LIFE,  I did well in the accounting trade and got all my raises quickly reaching my salary cap at $110,000.

Alas, I didn’t win. My daughter the doctor beat me by about $200,000.

It’s funny. You spin the dial, drive to the spot on the board and read what your fate is…“twins,” “Pay day,” and “taxes due.”

And you deal with LIFE.

Each day we wake up spin the dial.

I’ll get a job. Seems there are lots of folks looking for work. LOTS.

We’ll start a family.  Then you never get pregnant.

We’ll buy our dream house in town and our children will go to private schools. The bank took the house and the children’s school is no longer private.

*     *     *

Was just at a party tonight and was talking with a few girl friends.

“How did we know what to major in at college, when here we are at mid-life and have no idea what we want to do?”

I have an idea what I want to do. The question remains how do I do it all?

Tomorrow holds another spin of the dial.

How are you doing at the game of LIFE?