For the Love of Leftovers: Learning the Difference Between Full and Fulfilled
My daughter Gabby loves leftovers. She’ll eat almost anything, which, for parents, is a true blessing. Fresh food is preferred, leftovers are awesome, fast food is laziness but acceptable, and eating out or takeout are rare treats we savor.
I consider myself a solid cook. I can follow directions like a champ, and sometimes go rogue, making memorized recipes my own. The pots don’t usually boil over, and the smoke detector hasn’t gone off in years. My family doesn’t run when I start cooking dinner, so I consider that a win.
With that said, there was that one time I tried something new: a hashbrown casserole from formerly frozen now soggy hashbrowns. (I might as well have made mashed potatoes.) The mush swallowed the eggs and chopped sausage, and let’s just say it wasn’t a hit.
When it comes to food, Gabby isn’t picky. But she doesn’t love all leftovers. When it comes to connection, she deserves to come first.
A couple of weeks ago, she noticed Elio had dropped on Disney+.
“Mommy, do you want to watch Elio with me?”
“Sure, Buddy. Remind me this weekend.”
“Mommy, when is our next Mommy/Daughter date?”
“I think we just had one this month. Let’s go in a couple of weeks.”
I wasn’t getting the hint.
“Mommy, will you play the new Wii game with me?”
That time, I got it. She doesn’t care what we do—she just wants to be together.
Connection doesn’t reheat well.
Be present.