Week 47: The Pokemon Go Guy

I admit it. I have a little gaming habit -- it's Pokémon Go.

Given all the walking I do, sometimes I get bored. Playing Pokémon Go reminds me of all the years playing, watching and talking about Pokémon with my daughter. Our family made Pokémon characters out of Sculpey polymer clay and created our own Pokémon board games. It wasn't quite a family obsession...but it was close.

I'm not the only 50+ woman who enjoys Pokémon Go. We spot one another in the park sometimes. But mostly it's young people, many of whom I work with. When they find out I play Pokémon Go, they say, "You play Pokémon Go?!?" in a startled tone. It takes them a second to wipe the funny look off their faces and recover with an "Oh, cool. Wanna trade something?"

Except for one guy at the office. When he heard I play Pokémon Go he didn't have to swallow a laugh or catch his breath. He went straight to, "Oh, cool." Ever since, he's been giving me tips and tricks to make the game more fun to play. He checks on my progress and tells me what new things to look for. And, when he heard I am travelling to China, he sent me pictures of the Pokémon that can only be found in Asia.

I appreciate all his help, but what I'm really thankful for is that he never judged me or wondered why someone roughly the age of his mom was playing the game. He was happy to have another person who enjoys what he does, and that was it.

Photo by David Grandmougin on Unsplash