Talking Hearts Cards

Author's Note: John picked the cards and I answered them first. He didn't answer them at the same time. Later when he answered them, some of the answers brought humor, and laughter.

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

How comfortable do you feel bringing up issues about our relationship to me?

Have you ever felt you've "beaten the system"?

Talking Hearts cards

Feelings bring up our relationship issues

Denise: No problem. I spit them out and wait for either your laugh, or your comments, or you fix what I said was the problem. I prefer the third way!

John: I'm comfortable. Denise: I don't remember you bringing up issues about our relationship recently. John: I'm comfortable saying anything with you.

Ever felt you've beaten the system

Denise: Many times, at work. Intervening for staff working for me. They were strong advocates for our Native American people, and I didn't want them to have to struggle for time, or space to do what they needed to do in the work we had.

John: As a much younger guy, every time I did shit illegally, I felt like I beat the system. Denise: How about as a much older guy, when you drive through stop signs? Is that beating the system?

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

Is there anything in your life you wish you could get closure on?

What's something you're surprised I'm not afraid of?

Talking Hearts cards

Anything in life wishing for closure on

Denise: Yes, a guarantee that the cancer is done.

John: My health - old age - my body falling apart!

You are surprised I'm not afraid of

Denise: I'm not sure? John: That's because I'm not afraid of nothing! Denise: I can list things I know you are afraid of! So, I'm surprised you are not afraid to fix anything, washing machines, dishwashers, all our vehicles and toys. And if you don't know how, you just look it up on YouTube and get it done! The guy who doesn't know computers uses google, and YouTube!

John: Motorcycle. Right from the beginning, as I think it takes alot of courage to ride a 1300 V Star or any big bike.

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

Which of my traits do you wish you had more of? Which traits do you think we have in common?

What's something future generations will make fun of us for?

Talking Hearts cards

Traits I have wishing you had more of and traits we have in common

Denise: Your ability to get along with all of our grandchildren so well. Then we have in common, our both being the oldest children, so our oldest child traits.

John: Socializing... mingling is what I wish I had more of what you have. And we have in common being raised up north and knowing how to live here and wanting to live here.

Future generations will make fun of us for

Denise: Well, you for having a flip phone until this year. And me wearing red lipstick into my 70s, 80s, and 90s! 😉

John: Being so responsible. Denise: John, really? Being made fun of for that? I think it will be the huge political divide that just one man had the biggest part in turning people against each other. Okay, I know these are fighting words, so I just thought them, I didn't say them! 😉😂

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

If you could start a business with your friends, would you and what would it be?

Talking Hearts cards

Compare self to

Denise: My mother. How I am dressed before getting ready to leave the house. Then some of the things she says without thinking that got her into trouble with family or friends.

John: My dad and my uncles - being responsible - powerful (strong)

Start a business - would you and what would it be

Denise: Probably not as I'm 72. I am a Culture Consultant alone and with others many times, as we are brought in to do a one-hour training and as much as a three-day training.

John: No! Too old.