I never know what topic will come up during dinner with my son. 

Ryan is a curious boy. And he knows that I will listen with respect to whatever he has to say and whatever he asks. 

One evening we talked about former presidents of the United States.

Another evening, our conversation was primarily basketball-related (we’re Los Angeles Clippers fans).

And one evening, my eleven-year-old asked me a question I wasn’t prepared for:

“How old do you think I’ll be when I have my first kiss?”

I’ve said it before – Ryan is one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Many personal essays have been written as a result of something Ryan said or did. This question had the same effect. 

You can click here to be re-directed to Mothers Always Write to read my most recently published personal essay, “Planting the Seed.”