Magic the Gathering

Magic the Gathering is probably my favorite game of all time. I thoroughly enjoy the gameplay, the collecting aspect and the social interactions. We have a local card shop that does a fantastic job advertising, providing play space and catering to the needs of players of all levels. I have quite the extensive collection and have enjoyed being a member of the magic community for quite some time.

Recently however Magic for me, has become much more than a card game. As my life becomes more and more complicated and stressful, there is a growing need for a crutch, a walking stick if you will. Something on which I can lean, a personal bright spot to look at. As simple or silly as it may seem, Magic the Gathering has become just this.

I have a great group of friends that gathers on Sunday nights for some lighthearted games. We spend the evening playing round after round, talking trash and arguing over rules, laughing and venting about our weeks. It has become something I look forward to all week. It's an emotional and mental release that I appreciate and value.

I have recently discovered eBay. I've always known it existed but only recently have I started to use it's speedy deliveries and fair prices. I've learned that I can purchase packs of Magic cards on eBay for prices far lower than that of larger stores. Ordering online also allows for that "waiting by the mailbox" anticipation to build up. Then when the cards come there's the opening (or as magic players put it, cracking a pack).

Opening a pack of Magic the Gathering cards is a lot like playing the lottery, sometimes you crack the pack and pull an amazing card, other times you crack the pack and pull something average. When you win big, it's glorious, when you don't, you still get to keep the cards. Any which way, I enjoy the thrill of cracking a new pack of cards. Even if I don't get a really cool card, my collection grows! Knowing I have a pack or two in the mail (and that I saved a buck or two) is fun, it's a great surprise when it comes early!

Once cracked, the cards are sorted. This is also super important. I have a two-year-old and one on the way. I know the struggle of trying to keep things neat and organized when you have two small hands following you around pulling things out of drawers and off shelves. My cards are stored in binders on shelves that require my 6'1" self to be on my tip toes to reach them. They are organized by set and alphabetized. This keeps me sane. My one little nook of organization. Always in order.

There are many things that I love about my life and many things that are there by necessity. Magic the Gathering has added many aspects that I have come value quite highly. It sounds simple and to many silly, but Magic has helped me develop the friendships I have today and adds to life an extra bit of... well, magic.