More Than Just a Game

The notion of ‘close friends’ tends to evolve over time. Many of us have had the same great friends over the years with an occasional tweak to allow for new ones to join our circle. Some of us have grown and changed so much that we have enjoyed meeting and making new friends that better fit into our lives. One thing's for certain, as we age, friendships are harder to come by.

I will ever be indebted to my longtime friend Jodie for having introduced me to three incredible women. And with open arms, they accepted me into their mahjong posse. Years later, I now consider all of them to be my very good friends. We see each other often, celebrate special occasions together, and have even travelled together (even if it was only to a cottage, lol). And to be honest, I would likely not be where I am today in regards to my mahjong involvement, without them.

The game of mahjong has a way of doing that. It is certainly unique, in that apart from the cerebral benefits of playing the game, the social benefits can be life changing. As a teacher of mahjong, I have seen firsthand so many friendships that have been forged thanks to the incredible and mutual love of the game.

I am constantly hearing about all the games being played, some weekly, that often consist of a mix of people who didn't know each other pre-mahjong. Friendships that are built on the game, but that have grown to include genuinely caring about the lives of the people sitting right in front of them. It is incredibly heart warming when this happens. And I cannot help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing I had a part in it, being the so-called matchmaker of a new mahjong tribe.

Mahjong is such a beautiful segway into meeting and connecting with friends. It can be a wonderful option when moving into a new city, a great opportunity to get to know your co-workers better, and without a doubt, an amazing way to keep current friendships strong.  It’s hard to say if it's the escape of the everyday, the soothing sound of the shuffling of the tiles, the loud chatter or silence between players or even the competition that keeps us coming back for more. But one thing is for sure, most everyone who learns mahjong is excited to share their love of the game with others.

I, myself, have reconnected with some old friends and of course, have made lots of new ones along the way. This year has been especially meaningful as I have made over 100 new friends, of all ages, from all walks of life, and from different parts of my city and beyond. And as the year draws to a close, I reflect on the impact mahjong has had on my life. I am in awe and my heart is filled with gratitude with all the positive aspects mahjong has brought to me.. Many of my new friends have become like family, and I appreciate each connection I’ve made along the way.

I dedicate this post to my dear friends Jodie, Ali, Heather, and Leslie and to my students, who are all now a part of my mahjong family. I hope they know they can always reach out to me for help, are always welcome into my home and who give beautiful meaning to the word friendship. Wishing you all an incredible year filled with love, laughter and of course, lots of jokers!!

As mahjong grows in our community, I am looking at a possible venue to host game days. Please take a moment to cast your vote (anonymously) so that I can plan accordingly.

How often would you join a mahjong game-day at a venue?

• Once a week
• Once a month
• Once every few months
• Never

You can vote for more than one answer.

How much would you pay to play at a venue?

• From $5-$10 (no food)
• From $10-$20 (including some beverages/bites)
• From $20-40 (with an option of a meal included)
• I prefer to add a meal at my own cost.

You can vote for more than one answer.

When would you consider playing?

• Daytime-weekday
• Daytime-weekend
• Evening-weeknight
• Whenever(can't get enough)

You can vote for more than one answer.