I reached for the box of Frosted Mini-Wheats and gave it a shake. Ugh, empty. Peering inside revealed just three solitary morsels amidst a sea of crumbs. Not wanting to waste food, I poured the remnants into a bowl and finished them off.
Next, I turned to the box of Honey Graham Oh’s and shook it as well. Ugh, empty again. I pulled out the bag and held it up; there was more than a handful. So, I poured them into my bowl and added a splash of milk. As I crunched away, my gaze fell on the box of Total Raisin Bran, now standing vulnerable and alone. I didn’t even need to shake that box to anticipate what I would discover next.
Fifteen bran flakes and four raisins later, I felt both full and teary-eyed. My cereal adventures in fiber, sweetness, and crunch reminded me that my days of finishing off the last of the cereal are dwindling. Just one year from now, the house will be quiet, and the cereal boxes will remain full. I’m considering a switch to eggs.
This instinct to finish what our children start begins in infancy; it’s a natural part of motherhood. We polish off the crusts of grilled cheese sandwiches, the final bite of melting ice cream, and the pieces of steak they’ve just mastered cutting. We tidy up the last of the toys before naptime, read the final pages of storybooks, and sneak in the last few math problems of homework to help them settle down for bed. Even now, while I encourage my son to handle his own laundry before heading off to college, I find myself pulling his clothes from the dryer and folding them—completing the task for him.
It’s a delicate interplay. The child initiates, and the mother concludes, with beginnings and endings interwoven so intricately that I hardly recognize where his initiation ends and my conclusion begins.
However, I am acutely aware of this particular transition. The chapter that began 18 years ago is coming to a close. Yet, I still have time, and I will savor each bite of this cereal, relishing the laughter and joy of this final year. The dynamics of our relationship will shift after this, and I am not eager to learn the new steps.
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In summary, the act of completing what our children initiate is a fundamental aspect of parenting that evolves over time. As our children grow, so do the expectations and roles we play in their lives. Embracing these moments, while preparing for the inevitable changes, is essential for both parents and children alike.
Keyphrase: Complete What My Children Begin
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