For over twelve years, my mornings followed the same rhythmic routine.
I’m out of bed by six o’clock, stretching every muscle fiber awake. A quick shower rinses off the last traces of sleep, and by seven o’clock, I’m on the porch. My grandma’s steaming masala chai awaits me, its spiced aroma curling through the morning dew like something from Tom and Jerry. Across from me, my grandpa sits with the Sentinel Record’s newspaper unfolded between us, and every day begins the same way—with a crossword puzzle.
For my family, the daily crossword is our pastime—like a sacred ritual that bridges generations. The empty grid of black-and-white is the common ground where my grandpa and I meet, setting aside our differences. Despite the seven decades between us, when we’re contemplating the answer to seventeen down: “What a vacuum cleaner sucks up,” age becomes irrelevant. Our disagreements—over musical tastes, optimal egg-cooking times, or who his wife loves more (obviously me)—fade as we collaborate to fill each blank.
It’s fascinating to think that this puzzle, first invented and published by Arthur Wynne in the New York World prior to the First World War, has woven itself so deeply into our lives (Raphel, 2020). It began as a diamond-shaped grid called “Word-Cross” in the Sunday edition of the World. Clues were listed below the grid, each offering a cryptic hint for a particular word in the intersecting rows and columns. It was simple.
One typographical error, however, changed the trajectory of the puzzle: from “Word-Cross” to “Cross-Word” (Raphel, 2020). A small error but large enough to redefine the puzzle’s identity. That accidental hyphenation transformed the crossword into an enduring tradition, one that would be consumed by millions every day.
Today, the crossword puzzle is a cultural staple that continues to challenge and entertain people around the globe. From printed newspapers to digital apps, crosswords have adapted to our dynamic world, cementing their place in our daily routines. Sure, they aren’t as popular as they used to be, but their ability to stimulate minds, expand vocabularies, and offer a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life is an enduring testament to their timeless appeal.
However, their impact extends beyond their role as a pastime—they serve as tools for connection, learning, and even resilience. Crosswords have the unique ability to bring people together, whether it’s friends solving a Sunday puzzle over coffee, a family huddled around the newspaper, or strangers competing in crossword tournaments. In a time as tumultuous as now, their pen-and-paper approach fosters an appreciation for different perspectives in the pursuit of a common goal. Each blank square is a test of patience, and each completed puzzle is a small triumph—a reminder that progress often comes one step—or one word—at a time.
For over twelve years, that progress shaped my mornings, but today, the routine feels different. At seven o’clock, the chair across from me now lies empty, the newspaper folded without his familiar creases.
In his absence, I’ve learned that life’s challenges are best approached one word at a time. Crossword puzzles embody everything my grandpa sought to impart: the value of diligence, the importance of persistence, and the joy found in shared accomplishments. It’s not about rushing to the end, but about savoring the process—the quiet moments of thought and each small victory along the way.
So every morning, I continue our ritual. I sip my chai, unfold the Sentinel Record, and let the clues guide me, knowing he’s still there in every answer I uncover.
Raphel, A. (2020). How the 20th Century’s Toughest Moments Shaped the Crossword Puzzle’s History. Time. https://time.com/5811396/crossword-history/.