TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Mobley confirmed the sentiment. “As humans, we crave the attention of others, human contact, and interaction. The COVID pandemic really closed all of us off from one another and left many people feeling isolated. I sheltered in place with my husband, my daughters, and my mother. We played mahjong every day!” So, “I have to admit,” she said, “the motive for teaching mahjong to so many has been slightly selfish. In my life, I was looking for personal connections. I was craving the formation of meaningful, long-lasting relationships with others to satisfy and nurture my soul. I have found that through the game of mahjong. I have met so many incredible, smart, funny, talented, amazing people through this ancient Chinese tile game. It has been a savior for me, feeding my heart and soul through the bonds I have created.” Both ladies described the NMJL card as “the biggest hurdle” to the game for new players. It serves as the official guide for American mahjong, outlining the rules of play and all the possible winning hands. The objective of the game is to build one complete winning hand listed on the card by drawing and discarding tiles until a match is achieved. According to Kiser, “It is complicated and can make you want to pull your hair out at first, but once you conquer it, you will LOVE mahjong!” In full agreement, Mobley confirms, “When students see the card for the first
time, their eyes get wide, and I can see their minds scramble a bit. It is a lot of numbers, symbols, and colors, and it’s very foreign to them. I remember that feeling. I was new once, too, and have been in their position. One of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching new players is the look in their eyes and faces when the game finally clicks. It’s the aha moment! It’s a lot to take in at first, but with persistence and patience, the game begins to unfold, and that’s when the magic happens.” The beauty of the game also plays a significant role in its appeal. “It’s as beautiful as it is addictive,” Kiser says. There are many companies selling intricate tile sets and colorful mats, and racks that make an impressive tablescape. “Once you go down the rabbit hole, shopping to find that perfect tile set, you really must use personal restraint to avoid wanting every set and mat you see!” But “beyond the aesthetics of the tiles and the mats, past the traditional rules of the game, mahjong is really about connection— the relationships formed, the conversations shared, and the sense of belonging it creates,” said Mobley. “If you would like to learn this special game, there is always a seat at my table.” For those still on the fence, Kiser’s advice is simple: “I would tell anyone considering the game to just give it a try. And then, give it a try again. It takes several times of playing to grasp it, but once you do, you won’t want to play anything else.” And in Texarkana, that is exactly what is happening—one table at a time.
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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