I reached for the box of Frosted Mini-Wheats and gave it a shake. Ugh, empty. Peering inside revealed just three lonely morsels floating in a sea of crumbs. Not one to waste food, I poured them into a bowl and polished them off.
Next, I grabbed the box of Honey Graham Oh’s and shook it too. Ugh, also empty. I pulled out the bag and held it up—more than a handful, I decided, so I poured them into my bowl and drenched them with milk. As I crunched away, I noticed the box of Total Raisin Bran standing there, looking lonely. I didn’t need to shake it to know what awaited me.
Fifteen bran flakes and four raisins later, I was left feeling full but also a bit teary-eyed. My breakfast adventure filled with fiber, sweetness, and crunch served as a reminder that my days of finishing off the last bits of cereal are numbered. One year from now, the house will be quiet, and the cereal boxes will be brimming. Maybe it’s time to switch to eggs.
This habit of finishing what our kids start begins when they are just babies. It becomes an unspoken duty. We munch on the crusts of grilled cheese sandwiches, take the last bites of ice cream melting in the bowl, and tackle the pieces of steak they’ve just learned to cut. We tidy up the last toys before nap time, read the final sentences of storybooks, and sneak in the last few math problems of homework so they can drift off to sleep on time. Even now, as I encourage my son to do his own laundry before heading off to college, I find myself pulling his clothes from the dryer and folding them. I’m finishing the task for him.
It’s a sacred rhythm: the child begins, and the mother completes, the beginnings and endings intertwined in a way that often goes unnoticed. However, I am acutely aware of this particular ending. The chapter that began 18 years ago is drawing to a close. I still have time, though, and I will savor this cereal slowly, cherishing the laughter and sweetness it brings, because this last year is significant. The dance will change after this, and I’m not particularly eager to learn the new steps.
If you’re navigating similar experiences in parenting, you might find our other blog posts helpful for tips and encouragement. Also, if you’re considering options for expanding your family, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. For those interested in at-home options, this reputable online retailer offers an array of at-home insemination syringe kits.
In summary, as parents, we often find ourselves completing the tasks that our children begin, creating a unique bond that encompasses both beginnings and endings. Embracing this journey, we cherish each moment, especially as our children prepare for their next chapter.
Leave a Reply