The Rubik's Cube

Last summer, my grandchildren came for a week-long visit with both sets of Plainfield grandparents.  We do so look forward to our time together.  In fact, I get to see them more than I get to see my own daughter because their father lives just north of Chicago.  When they come to see him, he shares...and I'm so grateful for that.

In the last summer visit, my grandson produced a Rubik's Cube, scrambled it, and solved it right in front of my eyes.  I was dazzled!  In my entire life, I have never been able to solve a cube, nor have I been able to understand how others can.  In that moment--and a few moments thereafter--I discovered that there is an entire world-wide community of "cubers" who enter competitions and do what seems impossible to me.

My grandson is a cuber.  He has every kind of cube imaginable, and there are many.  He has spent an enormous amount of time working on solving cubes in times measured in seconds.  He is relatively new to this but has entered two competitions--not with the notion of winning, because there is always someone who will be faster, but with the notion of trying harder and doing better each time.  I'm so proud of him!  He also has found two friends who are equally as dedicated to cubing.  He needs more of that!

Because much of Ryan's life is about solving cubes, his Christmas gifts to others focused on giving cubes.  I got one.  It is the only Rubik's Cube I have ever owned.  It's a 3 x 3 x 3, and it is on a stand on top of my computer hutch.  I like it.  I have it as a gift from him.  That makes it pretty special, and it is perfect.  Each face is the same color.  It means so much; HOWEVER, I can't use it.  If I were to scramble it, I have no hope of ever being able to solve it without him here, no matter how hard I try!  He has tried to show me tips, but I just don't get it.  So, for now, my cube will be enshrined until I can find the confidence to try, or get him here to fix it after I mess it up.

In competitions (World Cube Association), the action is measured in seconds.  The cubes are scrambled by computer algorithms.  Ryan's best time for a 3x3x3 is just under 20 seconds.  Think that is good?  You betcha!  But here is the real talent.  Watch it and weep!

https://imgur.com/f4omGhI