This is my big sister Bobbi. Bobbi is almost 52, but is forever a kid. She was 16 when I was born, but we still played baby dolls together my whole childhood. As the rest of us girls grew up, she stayed the same. It never felt very fair, the hand Bobbi was dealt…but such is life.
Bobbi loves for me to do her hair and makeup, she loves to watch movies together, and listen to music. She loves my UNDIVIDED attention! I used to give that to her when we were together, but once I became a mother…it became so much harder! Things are different…our time together is different than it was, but now she plays with my kids the way we played when we were kids. She moves much slower than she used to though, so it’s hard for her to keep up with their pace! We’ve found some games and certain things that we all have fun with together when she comes over…but this weekend we tried something new and it was a time that is now forever etched in my heart.
We got her to try playing with Lego!! She stared at the box and I said, “you can build anything you want, something real or from your imagination!” It took her no time at all to decide she was going to build a boat and she got right to work! It then became a cruise ship with a restaurant on it! She even found big blue pieces to put underneath for the “water”. Everything she did was all her ideas and her imagination!
She worked independently, aside from having Ryker help her take some tough pieces apart. After almost every piece she would say, “Ryker, does that work? Is that okay?” He would say, “Of course, Aunt Bobbi! There are no rules!” And she would carry on! A few times he asked if she wanted a certain piece to add and she would say, “nope, I like it how I have it!” Cecilia was quick to find her any pieces she thought Aunt Bobbi would need and offering lots of encouragement! I was amazed at how she stuck with it, and loved watching her gain confidence in her build as she went! It was such a precious interaction between my kids and her!
She was so proud of herself and we were, too! The kids were over the moon excited that she might start building with them more often and already were helping her make a list of the sets she should put on her birthday list!
I am once again amazed at the power of a Lego. And honestly, I’m just feeling pretty silly for not asking her to build a long time ago! I think Ryker nailed the magic that Lego offers when he said, “Of course, Aunt Bobbi, there are no rules!” I hope Bobbi has more Lego building in her future, but even if she never builds again, I am so thankful for this sweet memory we can hold onto. Thanks, Lego!
