I saw this Instagram post months ago. I no longer tuck kids in a night. My children are grown, and even my grandchildren are beyond the bed-time story years. Still, these are great end of the day conversations for anyone. Even if it’s just a check in with myself.

Perhaps these questions are good conversation starters with anyone. So, I decided to do a check-in with Love-One every night with just one question. I definitely want to avoid question #6 at bedtime, but it’s a good one for dinner. I can ask anyone Question #1. Even if it’s 7 o’clock in the morning.

I must admit, that some of the answers to these question might be a big “nothing.” But that got me thinking. Perhaps asking these questions everyday will lead to a more meaningful life.

So here’s my answers for the past twenty-for hours.

1. I gave Love-One a call on my way back from an errand this morning. “I just called because yesterday you said no one ever calls me.” He laughed a big belly laugh.
2. I waited on hold with Social Security for 40 minutes and got the answers I need for CoCo. I feel frustrated because this is an ongoing problem that has resulted in literally a file six inches high of paperwork since the day she was diagnosed with a disability. That was forty-six years ago.
3. Gotta say, no bravery in the past 24 hours. Maybe it will happen before I go to bed. I did lift a carton containing two new suitcases and almost got it into the shopping cart. That made me feel strong-ish, but not brave.
4. I’m a whole lot better at clarifying my opinions when I write them down, that when I speak them out. My mind pulls thoughts from a lot of different corners, and my tongue has a hard time making sense of the thoughts in real time. Plus, no delete, cut and paste, or backspace capability with verbal communication.
5. I joined a Zoom meeting on how to communicate with people you disagree with. I learned I’m a pretty good listener. I work on it all the time, so I’m proud my efforts are somewhat measurable.
6. Sad, worried, and confused about so much disinformation. I feel like we are on the precipice of big changes, and I’m not sure where we are going or if we have the right “safety equipment” to prevent calamity.
7. I want you to remember that you matter to me. And, I matter, too.
8. I added this one: What did you learn today? I love taking stock of some little thing that I learned that I didn’t know yesterday. Today I learned that all curling stones come from two places on the planet: a little island in Scotland called Ailsa Craig and the Trefor granite quarry in Wales.

What do you think? Are these good questions, or not? Are you willing to answer just one of these questions for me?