When I was a kid I was famous in my family for saving. My siblings and I received a kind of allowance from my parents. I guess they thought it would teach us how to be responsible with our money. I’m still not sure if they accomplished their goal of bringing financial brilliance to their kids, but they did teach me to save – save to a certain point that is. The pattern usually went like this; I would save, waiting until I had enough, and then once I did, I would make an addition to my Lego kingdom. That was really all I spent my money on. Legos. So, I did learn the lesson of saving but I also learned that I had an Achilles heel. I bought Legos.
The Lego brick is probably the most fantastic toy invented. Maybe ever. You could say that I believe in Legos. I definitely believed in them when I was growing up. I was a serious investor in Legos. It wasn’t that I was all that interested in fostering creativity or encouraging the development of my motor skills. I didn’t really notice that I was learning role-playing or employing my problem-solving abilities. Honestly, I didn’t care about that stuff. What I needed to know was if I had enough to afford the new King’s Castle Siege Set or if I was just going to have to settle for the Police Station. I had entered into an alternative world; it was my own little World of War Craft, except in this world I was something like God, only I didn’t give free will to my creation.
But let’s be honest here; even though every Lego maniac wants to grow up and work at the Lego factory, forever living their dream of building a Lego kingdom, really no one does it. I guess somebody does but I’ve never heard of them. Most likely they don’t give that job to Americans. So, once it is realized that the dream is unachievable, this Lego mania dies. Lego maniacs grow up and I was no exception. The thing is, I still have all my Legos. In fact, everyone I talk to who was fairly fanatical about Legos still has theirs too making Legos the greenest toy around. It’s not like really anybody is throwing Legos away. Nope, people save them for their kids. Legos are that great. You certainly don’t see very many people saving Barbie. I see her at Goodwill all the time. And she is usually naked. Can you imagine that happening to Legos? Your mind better not be that sick.
But, this is why I still believe in these little plastic bricks and the toy men with yellow faces. Plus, now I do care about things like fostering creativity, the development of motor skills and employing problem-solving abilities. I care enough to save my Legos for my kids.
And I am almost positive my kids are going to love Legos. I think they will believe in them too so I can’t wait for them to be old enough not to swallow them. I suppose I better actually have some kids first, but when I do, I will finally have a good excuse to start saving again for those fantastic little bricks.
