I reached for the box of Frosted Mini-Wheats and gave it a good shake. Ugh, empty. Peeking inside, I found three lonely little squares amidst a sea of crumbs. Not one to waste food, I poured them into a bowl and polished them off.
Next, I grabbed the Honey Graham Oh’s box and shook it. Ugh, empty again. I pulled out the bag, which had more than a handful, and decided to pour those into my bowl too, adding a splash of milk. As I crunched away, I caught sight of the Total Raisin Bran box, standing there all alone. I didn’t even need to shake it to know what awaited me.
Fifteen bran flakes and four raisins later, I was full—and a bit teary-eyed. My cereal escapade reminded me that my days of finishing the last bits were numbered. In just a year, the house will be quiet, and cereal boxes will sit untouched. I’m thinking it might be time to switch to eggs.
This finishing business starts when they’re little, doesn’t it? As mothers, it becomes part of our role. We take those last bites of grilled cheese, the final ice cream slide clinging to the dish, and the pieces of steak they just learned to cut. We tidy up the toys just before their naps, read the last lines of bedtime stories, and squeeze in the final math problems to get them to bed on time. Even now, as I urge my son to tackle his laundry before heading off to college, I still find myself pulling his clothes from the dryer and folding them. I just can’t help but finish the task for him.
It’s a delicate dance: the child begins, and the mother finishes. These beginnings and endings intertwine so intricately that I hardly recognize where his start ends and my finish begins.
But this particular transition hits hard. The chapter that began 18 years ago is closing. Thankfully, I still have some time left, and I’m going to savor this cereal, relishing every moment of laughter and crunch. This final year is crucial, and I’m not quite ready to learn the new steps of our dance after this.
For more insights into parenting, check out some of our other posts, like this one about home insemination, or visit Make a Mom for expert advice. If you’re interested in pregnancy resources, NHS offers excellent information on IVF and home insemination.
In summary, as our children grow, we find ourselves wrapping up the tasks they start, creating a beautiful bond between beginnings and endings. It’s a bittersweet dance we cherish even as we prepare for the changes ahead.