Talking Stick

In August, my daughter, Sarah and I helped to create the recent Father / Daughter weekend for MKP Indiana. I was the 'man on point.' Sarah was on the leader team. Part of the weekend included a talking stick exchange. It went something like this: The daughter gives her dad a talking stick that she created and says this: "When I bring you this talking stick, I want to talk and want you to listen" The dad replies: "When you bring this talking stick to me, I will listen and not talk." Then the roles are reversed so that both dad and daughter agree to listening and NOT SPEAKING when the other person holds the talking stick.

Fast forward to last Friday night. When I came home, Sarah was watching TV. I went upstairs to change clothes and brought the talking stick downstairs with me. Sarah took one look at the stick and turned the TV off. What was said was private. We both took a turn with the stick. I felt I was heard. I judge that I heard Sarah. I hope that the talking stick remains a part of our relationship for a long time.