Talking Hearts Cards

Author's Note: I picked the cards and answered them first. He didn't answer them at the same time. Later he answered them, sometimes after I shared mine, some of the answers brought humor, and laughter, as this exercise always does.
FYI: the photo above is not us. 😉😂🤣

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What do you feel the most jealous of other people and why?

If you had one hour to talk to our pets, what would you talk to them about?

Talking Hearts cards

Jealous of others and why

Denise: Not jealousy, but rather envy. Youth, full of energy, going to the BWCA without me. I still want them to do it and have the energy for life. I had my time. I really just envy their going. I had years of going, and the experience was always great.

John: Youth, because I am getting old.

One hour to talk to pets, what would you tell them

Denise: Since I am allergic and we don't have pets because of that, I would have to talk to a deceased pet and that would be Rosie. Rosie, I hope you have forgiven me for taking you to the vet clinic to have you put to sleep. You were dying and suffering terribly.

I could not watch that. I know I couldn't do it but no one else would take you. Pat said, "Mom, I grew up with her!" As much as you hated the vet, I knew it would be better than other euthanasia ways. You were worth the cost and time. I loved you and missed you, and still many years later, want you to be around.

Then we could talk about Reiki, as Rosie did Reiki with me, when I would let her. And we would talk about the kids she grew up with and then the grandchildren that were around at the end of her life.

John: I would tell Bella how proud I was of her and how I missed her. Denise: So, you couldn’t talk for an hour? John: Hell no – It wouldn’t be an hour – I want to horse whip the person suggesting that. Denise: Well, it’s probably much easier to do an hour when they are right there with you. John: Probably not!

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What person outside of your family has made the most positive impact on your life?

Wildcard - It's your time to shine! Ask any question you would like.

Talking Hearts cards

Person, outside of family, who made the most positive impact

Denise: My sponsors in recovery! Especially four very special women in the 48 years of recovery. Then add the sister friends I have, and that we grew up together, supporting each other over those years.

John: Delbert (Diddy) Mathews - when growing up, at the time he wouldn't back down from nobody. He was a good friend. He talked about his time in the service. He was the baseball coach, and the leader in CAP, both things I was involved in.

Wildcard - any question you want

Denise: What happens when I am no longer pretty? You said you still think I'm pretty, right? We are getting old. What happens then? I know when I am around the house with no makeup, and no fixed hair, I can scare myself.
John: You are still you - just because you are getting older changes nothing. You will always be pretty to me. (Then censored comments! T&A comments)

John: Why is John so smart and Denise a fart? No question, as if I had a question, I would have asked it a million years ago. Denise: Really, a million years ago! We aren't that old, at least I'm not! And your question really is why is Denise so smart and John a fart?

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

Which era of your life would you want to watch as a movie?

How quickly do you think I could make you laugh without touching you?

Talking Hearts cards

Era of your life wanting to watch as a movie

Denise: First, I thought of the time when marrying. Some fun times, but lots of stress, drinking and then when my babies were born. Again, fun times, with lots of stress, and drinking with our daughter.

Then I thought of when we met, and how it was just going to be friends. Fun times, and adjustment to the divorce and your separation.

So, it is one year pre-retirement, and the year after. The adjustment. Taking a trip to Mexico to spend time with friends. Cleaning up work stuff. Spending time with friends and family.

Adjusting to your already being in retirement and having settled into your ways. It was such a whirlwind couple of years, I would watch just to enjoy. I like Hallmark and this is the span of life that may have been the closest to Hallmark time. Along with much of the 10 years we have had since then.

John: Getting into recovery, and 35 years of recovery.

How long does making me laugh without touching take

Denise: Because you laugh easily. It would take me minutes. Long enough to tell a Sandford and Son, or Archie Bunker story. Or to tell a joke about a Ford, or a Harley.

John: Pretty quick - just start laughing and you would be laughing.