WHAT'S GOING WITHOUT SAYING

103 – MARCH 2012
THINK ABOUT IT


When I am in a group of people, usually 4 or more, I really like to ask “conversational starter questions”? The only rule is that everyone must answer. This engages everyone to be involved and opens people up for continued conversation.
I have always done this. It drove my kids crazy!!!! (Which, in my parental thinking, was some sort of payback!)
Anyhow - it included some questions such as:
* If you could write yourself a letter now … and send it back to when you were 16 years old - What advice would you give to yourself?
* If you could be “Scotty, beam me up” to anywhere in the world - Where would you visit?
* If you could be “Scotty, beam me up” to anytime in the world - What era would you visit?
* My favorite – “If you could spend 1 hour in conversation (right now) with someone (famous or personal, alive or deceased )… who would you choose?

For a long time, I chose Winston Churchill. Then I switched to Will Rogers. But, for the last many years I have selected my Dad.
My father, Armand Joseph Beltrami was from generation “old school”. Old school = World War 2 experiencers, patriotic, hard working, anti social-handouts, and non conversational about their “growing up”. This great generation was a bit stoic, non touchy-feely, and … totally misunderstood. I figured this all out a bit late in my life. And I feel like crying now! OK! Deep breath!
I would love to sit and talk with my Dad. One hour would be frustrating! I would want 4 hours … Or more! So many things to tell him. So many things to hear.

The following lyrics are from a wonderful song writer, Paul Overstreet.

'Cause when you love someone
You gotta let 'em know
When you're thinking of someone
You need to tell 'em so
Don't know what makes us think
Our minds and our hearts can be read
What's going without saying should be said

There is so much more that I could say. I could write another 4 pages but I wonder if you just need to ‘think about it’.
Chris

The song is worth your time to listen to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOUOHzc7NLs