Same Kind of Different As Me Conversation Guide

By Ron Hall and Denver Moore

If you were astounded by the unlikely true story of a life-changing friendship in Same Kind of Different as Me, you can now go deeper into the story and its powerful themes with the Same Kind of Different As Me DVD-Based Conversation Kit and its accompanying Conversation Guide.

Perfect for your individual study or a small-group discussion, the Same Kind of Different As Me Conversation Guide will be your companion as you watch the DVD, providing insights for a convicting lesson and thought-provoking questions for discussion.

Appealing to many audiences, Same Kind of Different as Me compares one man’s experience with 20th-century “slavery” and homelessness in the United States with another’s portrayal of his own complacency and wealth.

From a burning plantation hut in Louisiana to an upscale New York art gallery, you will see the heart of God in this unexpected tale of the transforming power of love and friendship. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, Same Kind of Different as Me is an inspirational true story that crosses the barriers of society. 

For use with Same Kind of Different As Me DVD-Based Conversation Kit (ISBN 9781418542863).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Feb 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781418549800

Ron Hall

Ron Hall has dedicated much of the last ten years of his life to speaking on behalf of, and raising money for, the homeless. Formerly an international art dealer, Ron is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and writer/producer of the Paramount/Pure Flix film Same Kind of Different as Me. A Texas Christian University graduate, Ron was honored in 2017 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. In addition to traveling and speaking, Ron and his wife, Beth, run the Same Kind of Different as Me foundation (SKODAM.org), which meets emergency needs for those who are less fortunate.

Book preview

contents

Introduction

Session 1: Extraordinary Faith

Session 2: Forgiveness/Unconditional Love

Session 3: Loving the Unlovable

Session 4: Prayer

Session 5: Blessing Versus Service

A Final Word

9781418542870_INT_0006_002.jpg

Introduction

What you have in your hands is a five-session guide designed as a complement to the New York Times best seller Same Kind of Different as Me. This guide is intended for use in a small group setting—one of mutual respect, confidentiality, and accountability.

Video segments are available for use with this resource, greatly enhancing the ongoing experience of this life-changing book.

You’ve probably heard the saying that there are two sides to every story. Well, in this case, there are three: Debbie Hall’s, Ron Hall’s, and Denver Moore’s. As you move through this participant’s guide, you’ll hear these three voices and the jagged tale of their individual spiritual journeys, each one better for having followed Christ. But the goal is not to just observe; no, you’ll be challenged to participate, to add your own voice to God’s larger story, and to discover the difference you can make in someone’s life—and the difference he or she can make in yours.

 The five sessions are:

1. Extraordinary Faith

2. Forgiveness/Unconditional Love

3. Loving the Unlovable

4. Prayer

5. Blessing Versus Service

Each session will have a similar flow:

• Introduction: introductory words, followed by a pertinent quote

• Getting Started: a few lines of direction

• Opening Chapters: two or three excerpts from Same Kind of Different as Me (to be read aloud by a group member)

• One-Liner: a memorable saying from Denver, Ron, or Carson Hall

• Exploration: one or more biblical examples highlighting the session’s theme (read by a group member)

• Video: a segment to be watched by the entire group

• Reflection: questions based on the content of the session and the video. There are two parts to this segment: (1) Same as Me—the discussion should revolve around the question, How does what I just saw remind me of me? and (2) Different than Me—here participants will ponder, How does what I just saw differ from my experience?

• The Real World: a concluding real-world challenge—that is, an opportunity to put the truth of each session into practice in the coming week while also being accountable to your group. This is the homework piece for each week.

So that everyone in your group will have ample time to engage with the questions, your leader has likely chosen to keep your group small. You may want to consult with your group leader before inviting additional guests to a session if your group leader has indicated yours will be a closed group. You should plan on meeting for at least ninety minutes for each session. Based on this material being structured for a group setting, it is wise to determine some ground rules. Your leader will guide you through this discussion during your first gathering.

• Group Leader—Each group should have a leader to coordinate the meeting times, to send reminders to everyone each week, to facilitate the times together, and to offer encouragement to the members of the group.

• Confidentiality—Determine the parameters that you as a group wish to observe. For example, each person’s story is his or her own to tell, and it should be kept confidential. Accordingly, each person in the group should agree to not share another person’s story with anyone else.

• Open or Closed Group—Determine whether you want a closed group or you will be open to bringing others into

Reviews for Same Kind of Different As Me Conversation Guide

[ufjunkie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's hard to argue with a book that has such a cheery outlook on life. "The Same Kind of Different" tells the story of two very different men - one rich, one poor - who end up becoming friends and working together to create a better world for the homeless.On the one hand, this book presents Christianity in a good light. Nowadays, that's not always an easy task. And if Christians acted half as loving and generous as the ones in this book, I think the religion would certainly be better for it. The stories in this book are compelling, and the narrators are humble which makes much of the God talk easier to bear.On the other hand, it is a very Pollyanna-ish story, and one that I personally found difficult to fully believe. I can't help but wonder if the facts bear up to the legend. As a natural-born cynic, I'm putting this book in the 'things too good to be true' category.But if you enjoy uplifting stories, and you can appreciate the fact that maybe God really does work in the lives of ordinary men and women, then you will probably enjoy this book.

[bsanner_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Alternating chapters, Hall and Moore weave together a single narrative of prejudice, redemption, love, and death. Hall is a well-to-do art dealer; Moore, a sharecropper turned vagrant. Their paths meet at a homeless mission in Fort Worth, Texas, where Hall’s wife (Debbie) serves with a fearless and relentless love – a love which serve as the impetus for Hall and Moore’s deep and lasting friendship. This compelling story calls into question many commonly held assumptions about homelessness, race, friendship, and struggles with God. B+

[brsquilt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing story. First part was hard to read, but I persisted and I'm glad I did. An unlikely friendship that I won't forget.

[homeschoolmimzi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the most inspiring books I've read in a long time. A true story of a privileged art dealer and a homeless man who escaped a life of modern day slavery and how they become acquainted and are forever changed in the process. Am hoping to read the sequel soon.

[lauraodom-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I bought this book about a year ago, after hearing co-author Ron Hall speak at a fundraiser banquet. I thought he had a neat story, and that I’d enjoy the book, so I bought my autographed copy. My eldest daughter read it the first week we owned it, and then it disappeared into the recesses of her room for a while. About half a year later, I retrieved it and moved it to my bookcase, where it sat for a while longer. Finally, I decided to dust it off last week and take it with me to the dentist office where I had some waiting room time ahead of me while three little girls had their teeth cleaned. By the time they all had pretty clean smiles, I was on chapter 19.

The book hops back and forth between two narrators: Denver, who grew up on a sharecropper’s plantation before he moved on to the big city streets to live as a homeless man, and Ron, a wealthy art dealer. It tells the story of their past, and how their two lives ended up intertwined to form the most unlikely friendship. The connection centers around Ron’s wife, Deborah. It’s a powerful story of unconditional love and loving the unloveable as Christ taught his followers to do.

As far as books go, this one is easy reading. The different narrators definitely have their own voice, and I loved the switching of perspectives – especially as their stories came to be parallel but told from two different points of view. The story itself is outstanding. The pictures evoked in my mind were quite vivid. I would caution you, unlike I did, to preview the book or at least simultaneously to read it with your older tween or teen – - there is some sensitive material, in the form of some things that happened to Denver when he was a boy, specifically an event carried out by members of the KKK. Also, several times, the “n” word is used. I wish I had know that before my 12 year old had read the book. I probably still would have let her read it, but we would have discussed it more. The book both humbled and challenged me, and I would recommend it to others. I would rate the book with a 4.5 of 5 stars.

[staciele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredible is just one way to describe this book. Other ways to describe this memoir would be emotional, heart-wrenching, hopeful, gripping, and inspiring. This was our book club pick for the month, but had been on my To-Read list ever since my Sister-in-law, Julie, told me about this book a year or so ago. My Sister-in-law works at the Mission of Hope, a place for homeless people to go and feel loved by God, to get a meal, a prayer, or just a place to rest. Their mission is to meet basic needs, change hearts, disciple people and teach the church. No one is turned away. For more on their services and needs visit Mission of Hope. The needs there are great and the love is overflowing. So, as I read this book, I thought about Julie and her work a lot. 13 years ago, I also used to run a homeless shelter for women and children. This story took me back to those days as well. No matter where you live, there are homeless people. They may be staying with families or friends or bouncing from house to house rather than living on park benches or under interstates, but they are homeless just the same. I was drawn into the story immediately. The chapters are short and flip back and forth from Ron's, (the art dealer) story to Denver's (the homeless man). The horrors of Denver's life were tough to read, but his strength and faith helped you move through each chapter, hoping for Ron and his wife Deborah to break his shell. The marriage of Ron and Deborah also imparted lessons of faith and forgiveness that couldn't be ignored.I became deeply emotional throughout the story and once I got into it, I could not put it down. Thankfully, it was a quick read. I appreciated the pictures included in the back of the book. It put faces to names and gave photos of Denver's past life. As a Christian, I wasn't shocked by the expressions of faith in the story as others might be. But, I did find that I was moved and changed by Denver and Ron's story. I recommend this to Christians as well as non-believers, book clubs, church groups/Bible studies, and anyone looking for an inspirational life-story.

[kaelirenee · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A professor is assigning this to her class and I need to know it well enough to help the students with it. So I read it. Very early on, I realized something very important-I am not the target audience for this book. I despise books written in any deep-accent (one of the reasons I dislike Twain, and his characters only spoke that way). I also think our students are poor enough writers. They don't need this as an influence. I also can't stand any book that paints Texans with the same broad brush. But most of all, even if it was a true story, I don't care for books in which a person's reason for doing something is a hallucination or dream. I also dislike it when one's bad life is solely attributed to race-the line of "sharecroppers" ended in my family two generations ago, so I've heard a number of these stories from very white grandparents.That being said, as a librarian, I would recommend this book to people who do like inspirational stories, especially from a Christian perspective and people interested in racial tensions in the South. I'm sure many people read this as a redemptive and inspirational book about the way faith and persistence can change lives, one at a time. For me, the only way the novel could have been more painful was if it gave me paper cuts on every page.

[thoughtsofjoylibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An alternate title: International Art Dealer Meets Homeless ManFunny how life works. When I was in the middle of this book, I happened to post a comment on a friend's blog explaining why I didn't watch the posted video. I shared that I was not in the mood for "being moved to tears," which is the behavior it was likely to provoke. Little did I know - it was coming around the corner whether I wanted it or not.Both Ron and Denver share their thoughts with raw honesty in alternating chapters. Most are short and move their story along quickly, but not without emotion. I found it to be a serious and interesting book. It is one that can bring about change in one's life, plant a seed, or at the very least - shed more light on the homeless. There are two topics that may be a stumbling block for some: Christianity and Cancer. Both are prevalent in the book and both - yes, moved me to tears. However, as much as they made a statement, I was enthralled with the homeless man's life prior to being homeless. Slavery has always been a topic that I have been drawn to.Ultimately, I am very glad I read it, but I am still a bit miffed that I had to endure weeping.Originally posted on: Thoughts of Joy

[deferredreward_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Two things struck me about this book most strongly. First, despite the vernacular parts of it were written in, it was incredibly readable and I really enjoyed entering slightly more into the story through the non-proper English. Second, I found it a powerful testament to what sorts of transformations happen when the gospel infects people and gives them a real burden and real love that is invested for a long time into others. For that alone it is worth reading and contemplating.

[fairydragonstar · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think that this was one of the best most insprialtional books I have read in a very long time...I love the approach of how God works and even if you do not follow a particular religion you will find this book very uplifting

[georgia3bets · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I like usually like true stories, but this one got a little preachy. I am sure Deborah was a good person, but her "perfection" and "goodness" and unending charity got a little nauseating.

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a powerful, powerful story. I loved reading this book. It made me cry like a baby during the last 1/4 of the book, and I hate that...but I still love the book. Ron and Denver would have never been friends, if not for Debbie. Debbie was used by God to bring them together and to bring Denver out of homelessness. Denver was used by God to help Ron and to be strong for him. I wish I were more like Debbie.

[turtlesleap · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well written account of the interactions between a wealthy Texas family and a homeless man. Many readers will, I'm sure, find this an inspiring story and will value it because of the emphasis on Christianity. Others will scorn it because, in spite of the obvious sincerity of the author, the account comes across as patronizing and, to some extent, self-serving. It reveals far more of life among the affluent than it does of life on the streets. Recommended for those who enjoy Christian "testimony."

[sgcallaway1994 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Take one older black homeless man, toss in a middle-aged affluent art dealer and add one religious, very selfless woman, mix well and you got a recipe for this story. "The Same Kind of Different As Me" is an autobiography of sorts. It tells the heroric saga of a middle-aged Christian woman, selflessly helping the homeless find God and her battle with cancer. The story is narrated from her husband and a black homeless man's point of view. Taking the reader on a jouney the book explores many deep subjects such as death, forgiveness, faith, pain and suffering and prejudice. The book does have plenty of religious undertones and at times may be just a bit over the top for those non-christian readers. However, if you do chose to read it cover to cover it will leave you with a quite a few life lessons and a lot to really think about, "cause ever person that looks like a enemy on the outside ain't necessarily one on the inside".

[jmcdbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rated: AGreat book! Perhaps living and working in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and having spent much of my childhood in the old South made the book more special to me. In many ways, I could relate to Ron and Debbie Hall's life -- from their lives, to thier successes and struggles, to their fight against cancer, to their ministry to the "least of these". I found myself laughing and crying from chapter to chapter. Romans 8:28.

[jothebookgirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great and inspiring book. Sad though. It was the read one year for incoming freshmen at
Appalachian State one year.

[bnbooklady · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Despite the heavy religious elements in this book, where you fall on the religious and political spectrums—I’m a liberal, feminist, non-practicing Methodist—really doesn’t matter because this is a book about two people who come together to do something amazing. They happen to believe they were brought together and bonded by God’s plan, but you don’t have to believe that in order to believe in the transformative power of their friendship (though I suspect that if you do share their beliefs, you’ll find this book even more powerful).Near the end of the book, people outside of Ron and Denver’s community start to hear about their story and ask them to give talks at churches and religious and community organizations. When asked how he should be introduced, Denver instructs someone,Just tell em I’m a nobody that’s tryin to tell everybody ’bout Somebody that can save anybody.Now that’s the kind of preacher I might be willing to listen to.Read my full review at The Book Lady's Blog.

[dele2451 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The true story of a homeless illiterate Louisiana sharecropper and a wealthy Texas art dealer who become unlikely friends when the art dealer's devoutly Christian wife starts volunteering at a Ft Worth rescue mission. The he said-he said format was the perfect choice for conveying this odd couple's compelling story. I usually don't favor proselytizing via paperback, but this book works.

[nmele_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm not sure what makes me suspect this story but there is something that rings false to me. It may be the under-acknowledged work of Lynn Vincent who clearly did more to shape this inspiring story than simply write down the words Ron Hall and Denver Moore spoke to her as they told their stories. Their stories are amazing, and I imagine anyone who reads this book will want to learn more about their lives and their advocacy for homeless people.

[carolynschroeder · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book started off extremely well, telling of the lives of two very different men: 1) Ron Hall - an egocentric, wealthy, shallow art dealer; and 2) Denver Moore - a homeless man who grew up in severe poverty and for most of his life, was homeless. Denver's story is interesting and very, very sad, being pitched as a "modern-day slave" life (which I only partially agree with), he never had any schooling or real housing, and worked most of his life without real pay. It's a scary look at how so many people can and do fall through the cracks in today's "modern" world. The two men meet through Ron's wife, Deborah, who is a Christian missionary in downtown, downtrodden Fort Worth, TX. But beyond that, she is truly an incredible woman and the real light behind this story. She "forces" shallow Ron to befriend the angry, silent, maybe dangerous Denver and the two men become friends. About 1/4 of the way in, I had to roll my eyes at the constant, oppressive Christian blather, and it follows through, bonking the unknowing reader on the head mercilessly, until the end of the book. At times, it's hard to swallow and if you are not of the same religious bent, it actually becomes quite boring. But due to the high accolades, I did read it through to the end. Ultimately, I am glad I did. Religion aside, the real gem in here is how one person can make a difference to so many; and also, in one individual's life. If each of us helped just one person to this degree, what a world it would be. To watch as Deborah goes to some of the roughest parts of Fort Worth and simply befriends the homeless people is what kindness is all about. She never judged, just listened ... and helped. So it is inspiring as to the acts of the people involved. I see now this book is being hyped as a Christian/inspirational book (and the book discussion questions that follow are all religious), so I think that is likely this book's target audience. But it's worth picking up for the small lessons and to learn about the lives of Deborah Hall and Denver Moore.

[webgal79 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is truly an amazing memoir of two men from the "opposite sides of the tracks." It is inspiring and will challenge your preconceptions about the homeless or "least of these." Everyone, no matter what your faith group or religious affiliation, should read this book.

[caslater83 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's a beautiful story about two men from different walks of life. Different racial background, different financial backgrounds, different outlooks on life. How is it possible that they could ever find common ground? But they did--Debbie. It takes a beautiful soul and a warm heart to put yourself out there and make a difference in the lives of those around you, but Debbie did just that.

Her selflessness made Ron look like some pathetic rich man who was thinking too much about the physical/material side of life while she was focused on the spiritual. I've heard that sometimes you have to feed the body in order to feed the soul. She gave of her time and efforts regularly at the mission. She reached the lonely and the lost.

Denver was a lucky man to have met her and known her. Most people would have walked on by and never paid him any attention. Or some would just give a hand out just to get them to go away. But Debbie saw a man in pain and a man who needed a hand UP. Together, she and Ron gave him what he needed most: friendship. And that friendship grew into a familial bond that lasted for years, even beyond her death.

A beautiful story that is worth re-reading!

[nwieme-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Better than the first 30 pages made me THINK it was going to be... on my way to Book Discussion now... we'll see what everyone else thought!

[motherwright · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. A story worth reading that is inspiring, beautiful, heartbreaking, touches your heart and opens your eyes. It is a book filled with emotion; be ready for laughs, tears and serious moments. It opens your heart and soul to what is real commitment and love. This book truly embraces the phrase “pay if forward”, and teaches us to never over look the people God brings into our life.................A wonderful book that I hope to bring to my book club.

[nfmgirl2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Denver was raised a black youth in abject poverty in the heart of Louisiana's sharecropping community, growing himself into a sharecropper as a young man, as he knew nothing else, before one day escaping into homelessness and what he surprisingly views as a better life than what he's previously known, because at least he is free and no longer a "modern day slave".Ron is a successful art dealer living the American dream with a beautiful wife who has a heart of gold. While Ron and his wife Debbie are volunteering at a homeless shelter, Debbie determines that Ron needs to befriend the irascible and anti-social Denver. It takes some time, but eventually a friendship is born, shortly before heartbreak befalls them all.Debbie is portrayed in the book nothing short of a saint. She is selfless, God-fearing (and God-loving), patient, compassionate and kind. Based on a dream she had (and which she views as a vision from God), she pushes Ron to befriend Denver. Once Ron begins to build a relationship with Denver, he finally broaches the idea of he and Denver becoming "friends", to which follows a lovely moment when Denver shares his concerns over how white people practice "catch and release" when they go fishing, and he doesn't wish to be "caught and released" like one of those fish. Ron commits to keep Denver if he can catch him, and over the years their friendship grows into brotherhood.As their friendship builds, Ron is repeatedly struck by the small town wisdom of this illiterate sharecropper/homeless man.This book is 235 pages and 67 short chapters, which is how I prefer it. I only get to read is bursts, and I always appreciate having a good stopping point every few to a dozen pages. It also includes a Readers Guide, an Interview with the Authors, and a few pages of pictures.My final word: This book was moving and inspiring. It goes beyond the trappings of life to the heart of the matter, and is proof that two people can move beyond societal lines to forge a lasting friendship that can weather any storm. And behind it all is a humble woman small of frame and great of spirit.

[swivelgal · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Uplifting and inspiring. I think this would make a better movie.

[patsemple · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A true story about how a wealthy Caucasian couple, Ron and Deborah Hall, came to befriend a down-on-his-luck Af-Am man, Denver Moore, in modern-day Texas. Deborah has a persistent faith that compels her husband Ron to repent of sins in his personal life and to join her as she reaches out to the poor in her community. They volunteer once a week at a local soup kitchen, where they meet Denver. The chapters alternate between first-person narratives of Ron and Denver, and their stories kept my interest. Part of the reason for this is that the book was well written and not sappy, and it had some very humorous dialog and passages. No doubt this was due to the deft touch of Lynn Vincent, who apparently served as a ghost writer or editor and helped them shape their stories.There were things that bothered me about this book, but not enough to put it down. I usually don't like stories that feature unrealistic characters, and by that I mean people who are extremely smart or extremely rich or extremely good looking or extremely anything, because such characters and their stories are so hard for me to relate to. I’m not interested in reading stories about people with such advantages, as I rarely find that they have much of anything to teach me about life -- and that is something I look for when I select a book to read. As a main character, Ron came dangerously close to that, but what redeemed him for me were his failings, some of them pretty major. SPOILER ALERT!: While the death of his wife was very sad, I think he was still too raw when he wrote about it -- it was still too consuming, he had yet to put it into perspective.I would recommend this as a good book to read, especially if you (like me) often find yourself wondering if you can do more to help others than you currently are. Here are two people who took one small step in that direction, were faithful and consistent in doing so, and suddenly were presented with the opportunity to make a real difference in someone else's life. Lucky them!

[jd234512 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I read the Same Kind of Different as Me a while ago but am just now reviewing it. It is the story of an art dealer with a zealous wife that had her life dramatically altered by helping out with the homeless through their church. Along the way, he meets Denver who was a former slave but was now a runaway after various issues he encountered earlier in life. Ron's wife Deborah was the one to really initiate the beginning of the family's relationship with Denver and it ended up being one where they were able to bless each other in different ways. Eventually, Deborah gets extremely sick and ends up dying yet the relationship with Ron and Denver goes on.In general, the book tended to carry with it a fairly sappy tone that was fairly hard to shake throughout reading it which was unfortunate because this truly was an incredible story of two polar opposites(seemingly in every way) forming an incredible friendship. I think part of this stems from it being responsive to the death of Deborah because she is made out to be a little too perfect, which is understandable given the relationship they each had with her, but it detracts from the title(and hence, purpose) of the book. I think the biggest thing to take from this was that we have the ability to learn so much from our interactions with people of all different kinds. Our shared humanity with others is enough to not simply write them off or assume who/what they are but to fully seek to reach out to others. This is a crucial takeaway from this book that hopefully encourages many people to look into strangers eyes and look beyond their exterior.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[kristihucks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! A must read for everyone.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quick inspiring read about two men with nothing in common, finding, they do in fact have things in common. Denver is an illiterate, black, homeless man who grew up as a modern day slave working for the man in Louisiana. Ron is a famed international art dealer with more money then he knows what to do with. When Ron's wife feels called by God to start helping others, Ron goes along for the ride. He begrudgingly starts handing out meals at a local mission. While there he encounters Denver, but Denver wants nothing to do with him. The streets have made him hard and he doesn't have time for rich people trying to make themselves feel better by helping the homeless. Slowly though, Ron's wife pushes the two of them together and they realize that they have more in common then they ever thought possible and start to genuinely appreciate each other's perspectives on life. A little hokey, but I'm probably just a jaded cynic.