My grandmother was the first person who taught me to play. We played quite a few games, but Rummikub was one of our favorites. My loving and caring grandmother would transform into a warrior who always played to win. She refused to show me mercy, acquiring tile sets until I saw her empty the tray with a win. Even though she was her granddaughter, Grandma showed me no mercy. I remember the pain I felt from losing, but I remained eager to play and determined to win. Eventually, we left the Rummikub tiles behind and moved on to Scrabble. Every time we played, I carefully watched Grandma's moves as I contemplated my next maneuver. Over the years, she continued to beat me in both games, but the races became more competitive and I slowly became a challenge for her. At the age of 13 I won a game, Rummikub, a game in which she claimed to be unbeatable. I felt proud. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThese games taught me more than the obvious skills. I have learned to lose and win with grace. I've learned to enjoy the process, regardless of the losses. I learned to take inspiration from others and think on my own. I have learned to deal with failure and learn from loss. I've learned that true victory comes from hard work and persistence. And I've learned that the strongest, most meaningful relationships are built on honesty. That doesn't mean those losses don't sting. I have had many losses in my life. I was devastated when my baseball team lost the championship game by just one run. But I was still incredibly proud of my team's efforts, the work we put into the season and my contributions on the field. Playing with Grandma taught me that I shouldn't focus on the loss. Instead, I focused on what I would improve in the following season. Last year Grandma was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. In her 82 years, the grandmother had seen numerous hospital visits due to diabetes, stroke and a broken hip. Watching grandma walk into another hospital didn't bother me. I knew he would fight this diagnosis as he has with all other health issues. Every time he entered a hospital he showed what it really meant to fight to win. Winners work hard, stay focused, respect the process, and take constructive criticism well, all in pursuit of an important goal. Watching Grandma, I learned to understand that sometimes a game might not end, but change, causing a shift in goals that might require a different method. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay My grandmother's task was to overcome her current illness. Unfortunately grandma lost this last round. I love the games I've played with her, even the ones I've lost. Towards the end the matches were more balanced and I could see everything I had gained over years of competing. Winning was no longer my goal and I will treasure the lessons I learned from spending time with my grandmother.