They say "Life is not fair." We have expectations from our parents, spouse, children and even ourselves. We conjure up these expectations in our little head and end up moaning and groaning about them not being met. If the little guy has even the slightest inkling of the list of expectations I have of him, he would probably be petrified. As we both grew together in this mother-son relationship, I realized that he may share my genetic material, but he is an individual with his own personality, may be different from what I expected, yet a charming one.
I don't want to give in the impression that expectations are not essential, we do need them albeit with a little more flexibility, may be give them a second chance. Every one deserves another chance.May be the second time around the expectations are more pragmatic and easily met. If life deserves a second chance, so does the very essence of our sustenance - Food. How many times have we detested a certain ingredient, a certain dish without giving it a second chance. If food had a voice, it would probably scream something like "Being a culinary outcast is not fair". One such ingredient in my kitchen is the oatmeal. Over the years, I acquired a taste to oatmeal and don't mind having a bowl of oatmeal with some nuts and milk. The little guy however refused to give the oatmeal any chance at all.I don't believe in hiding the ingredients while feeding my little guy.If I wanted him to eat a vegetable I will give him the vegetable, I don't hide them in sauces. While oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips was a valid option, I wanted him to accept the oatmeal for what it is and give the oatmeal the second chance it truly deserves.
I sat him down and questioned him on what is it exactly that he detests about the oatmeal. Pat came the reply - the consistency," its too mushy for my taste". Thus, in an attempt to get over the mushiness I tried this oatmeal egg recipe with toasted quick oats. It was an instant hit, proving one more time that everyone and everything deserves a second chance.The oats were cooked just right with an added crunch from the peas and smoothness from the eggs. So, the next time you feel like something is not fair, give it a second chance, you never know what amazing things are lurking beneath all the unfairness.
—serendipity
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