The crust...

I am a mom, and most my posts will reflect such knowledge. My life revolves around my kids. They are my world. My everythings. They also help me learn valuable lessons about everything... and nothing.

About crust.

During no particular day last week I was in the process of making lunch. My youngest, Tobias, says, "Be sure to cut off the crusts!" He does this every time we have the household favorite, Peanut Butter and Jelly, on this certain type of wheat bread. Something about the crust makes him gag with disgust. So usually I will cut it off for him because, well, I am just a good mom like that.

However, something came over me on this day and I launched into what is now known as “Crust Psychology”.

“No, I will not cut off your crusts. Life is full of crust.” I told him. “Sometimes you just have to deal with the crust that comes along. You don’t have to eat it every time but eventually you might have to eat it. Just like in life. There are things we don’t like about life and there is nothing we can do about. We certainly can’t cut those away,” Much to my chagrin. “But we have to learn ways of dealing with the crust. Understanding why the crust is there. How it can help us even when we hate the fact that it’s preventing us from getting to the yummy-goodness.”

At this point my 6 year old has that look of ‘I don’t understand a single word you are saying’ while I am standing pointing the nutter-spreader in his direction.

“You may not understand this now,” I said finishing up his sandwich and leaving said crusts attached. “But someday you will get it. Someday you will thank me for making you realize that sometimes you just have to deal with the crust of life.”

And I handed him the sandwich.

He stood there.

I stood there, spreader still in my hand.

“Do I still have to eat the crust?”

My reply, “No, but you have to deal with it. And it will make you stronger.”