My kids and I play a Volkswagen Beetle game. It’s not Punch Buggy, but rather a unique game that my family created.
New Beetles (I hear the 2012 body style will change, but haven’t seen one on the road yet) are worth 1 point, convertible Beetles are worth 3 points, old body style Beetles are worth 5 points, Beetles with graphic designs are worth 7 points, Beetles with racing stripes (think Herbie) are worth 10, and convertible old model Beetles are worth 50 points because they are so rare. I found the Beetle in the image above at a parking lot in Spring, Texas last week!
When my children were smaller, the Beetle game served a couple of purposes. Keeping an eye on the road for these cars warded off boredom on long car trips. The point system also helped teach my kids math facts because they had to keep up with how many points they had accumulated and how many more points they had to accumulate to catch up with their siblings.
But over the years, the game has become a unique family tradition that keeps us connected even when we are apart. So much so that every time I see a Beetle when I am away from my children, I think of them and can’t wait to tell them of my find.
Our tradition has also been adopted by other family members. My mom got drawn in after she spent a week with my family. She called recently to tell me she had seen a yellow Beetle. The car made her think of us.
When thinking about estate planning, we usually focus on the tangible items we leave behind. But part of our legacy includes the intangible treasures passed down from generation to generation that keeps our families close.
What are your family’s intangible treasures? How do you stay connected to your family? Are there any traditions that have helped you feel close to family members even after they have passed away? Please share them below in the comments.
