LEGO Connections

     The Lego Group began in the workshop of Ole Kirk Christiansen (born 7 April 1891), a carpenter from Billund, Denmark, who began making wooden toys in 1932. In 1934, his company came to be called "Lego," from the Danish phrase leg godt, which means "play well." It expanded to producing plastic toys in 1947 (Wikipedia).

     Connecting one block to another, to another, and to yet another to build cars, trucks, planes, skyscrapers, etc. is the fascination of and hunger for Lego sets. Budding carpenters, architects and others "play well" and will hopefully develop early skills to transfer to varied careers.

     Building Lego cars and fortresses with our grandchildren (or playing house, fishing alongside them, reading or watching soccer together, etc.) builds an intangible quality; genuine, fun, and safe relational connections of grandchildren with their kindred adults. Two generations connect and learn what really is important. We learn what makes them tick, and they apprentice what makes us tick.

A mere 463-piece Lego set, for connection-enrichment?

     My children's long-distance Grandma (my Mom) valiantly tried, but we lacked connecting prowess. Motherhood for me was overwhelming. I basically endured each day. I didn't know to be nurturing for my children.

     Sabbatical time, grandchildren, and surviving torrential HER2/Neu positive breast cancer have afforded me rare and intense appreciations. By the time my grandchildren were born, I was able to begin to practice real affinity. I finally understood what loving a child in a nurturing, healthy way was supposed to feel like.

Legos & such take up a small space in the office corner
Click for how-to of Legoland in the corner

     Time.Opportunities.Appreciation. I connect first with myself, and then endeavor to connect deeply with others to savor kindred relationships. Letting go determines Lego connections:

• Managing rather than micro-managing. I add decorative yet child-friendly items to the corner of my husband's home office to invite generational interaction, naturally.
• Discovering rather than hovering. Some items, like the manger scene below, are most fun when grandchildren naturally discover them in the master bedroom.
• Natural as opposed to contrived. Intentional yet not intense... that seems impossible, but isn't. 

      A little ahead-of-time planning helps to create mutual connections.

Place an unbreakable nativity set. Somewhere on the sidelines.
For children to discover, naturally (John 3:16)

Deuteronomy 6:7
     Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. [N.A.T.U.R.A.L.]

     Mothers-in-Law Mutual mutually strive to develop natural connections and Jesus teaching times. My children and grandchildren can't catch from me what I don't got.