As a memoirist who writes about friendship, healing, and hospitality, I had imagined my children might describe me as warm, funny, loving, a good cook.

Here’s how my children actually answered, 17 and 20, when asked separately, “How would you describe me to your friends?”

Son: “Use your pleases and thank you’s very aggressively.”

Daughter: “She’s nice, but she’ll slit your throat if you’re not polite enough.”

 

If you have children, or nieces and nephews or perhaps a nosy neighbor, and are interested in dismantling your ego, consider asking them the same question. I would love to read their answers in the comments.

As always, thank you ever so very much for reading.