In these trying times, sometimes it’s important to look at the deeper more fundamental questions of life… For example, Candy Land – blessing or curse?
Until this time of social isolation, I had not considered this question in any great depth. But now, after 137 rounds of this fine game, I resolve to write my true feelings.
Do you remember playing the card game War as a child? It’s a completely deterministic game with absolutely no strategy. Candy Land is exactly the same. I’ve considered pre-arranging the cards just to make the game more interesting. You may call this cheating, but when you play with a 3 year old, the objective of the game changes from winning to getting the “fun candy cards.” A gratifying victory, without several candy cards drawn is an utter failure.
Also, what health expert approved a candy game? (Talk about subliminal messaging.) The game is probably owned, through various shell companies, by Nestle or Hershey (possibly by Brazilian sugar farmers). Play Candy Land and increase your sugar intake by 10%, 20%,… 30%?
Thanks for listening to my rant. I’m sure many of you have similar feelings. At the end of the day, Candy Land is not about strategy or winning, it’s about seeing the excitement and delight on your child’s face, when they get that peppermint card, even when it takes them back. Or, it’s about them turning their ginger bread man around to talk to yours as they journey toward King Candy’s Castle. It’s about the connection – having fun with my worthy opponent.
Even so, after 3 games, I’ll do something else… anything… maybe even write another blog.
Fink Family Frolics 