Ask Those Questions

Sometimes the people you're closest to are the ones you know the least about, so pose these questions. The answers may surprise you.

Write a question on a small piece of paper and fold in half. Then pile the pieces of paper in a bowl in the center of the table. Let each person choose one to read and answer.

Childhood:
1. What was the home and neighborhood you grew up in like?
2. What was your role in your family?
3. What were your siblings like back then, and how did you get along with them?
4. What kind of student were you?
5. Other than family, who were the most important people in your life?
6. What were the happiest times of your childhood?
7. What were the biggest disappointments?
8. What were your hobbies?
9. Who was the first person you ever kissed?
10. What did you imagine your adult life would be like?

Love and Family:
1. Were you and your spouse in love from the start, or did it take time?
2. What has been the most rewarding part about raising kids?
3. What has been the most difficult part about raising kids?
4. Do you have any good parenting advice?
5. How are you like your parents? And how are you different?

Work:
1. What was the best job you ever had? The worst?
2. How did you decide what field to enter?
3. Was there one person who had a big impact on your working life?
4. If you had to do it all over again, would you choose the same career path?


Likes and Dislikes:
1. Who makes you laugh the hardest?
2. Do you have a favorite book or author?
3. Do you have a favorite movie?
4. What was the best trip you ever took?
5. If you could go somewhere you've never been, where would you go?
6. If you could live anyplace in the world, where would it be?
7. What are five things you couldn't live without?
8. What's your most beloved personal possession?
9. What's the bravest thing you've ever done?
10. What's the scariest thing you've ever done? The dumbest?
11. Is there anything you always wanted to do but never did?

Life in General:
1. What were the best years of your life?
2. What was the hardest decision you've made
3. What are the most important things in life?
4. What do you consider to be your strongest character traits?
5. What traits or habits do you wish you didn't have?
6. Do you believe that people can change?
7. Do you believe in God?
8. Has life made you more hopeful or more cynical?
9. What do you consider to be the biggest world events of your lifetime?
10. Do you think life now is harder or easier than when you were young?
11. What are you most proud of in your life?
12. What do you hope to be remembered for?

You could also add these to a journal jar for a gift.