The Last Peanut Butter Sandwich-A Mom’s Tribute to Her Son

For some reason, when I woke up this morning, this was the first thing I read on Facebook, and it hit me.

A friend of mine who lives in Kentucky, Stacy Hunt, posted this message today about her son, Montana.  Even though my kids graduated from high school quite a while ago, it still hit me, because I could feel what she was feeling. My middle son Tanner just walked graduation last week for his second degree...and it always hits me...how far he has come.

I'm sure all of you parents who are experiencing a graduation for the first time, or for the last time in your household, have the same feeling of pride, sadness for what you are losing, and happiness for how proud you feel in this moment. I asked Stacy  if I could share her post with you that stopped me in my tracks this morning, and caused me to reflect.

Stacy wrote:

Today, I packed my last peanut butter sandwich.
Lunch boxes since 2009.
It started with one sandwich.
Some days, it was as many as four.
Today, it was two. The last two.

Peanut butter has been our quiet companion through it all - preschool to year 12.

First days, school plays, game days, and exam weeks.
Sometimes it came with fruit, sometimes a homemade treat, sometimes with chips, and always, always with love.

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A little Mom note tucked inside - A silly joke, a reminder to breathe, bible verse, or just "love, Yo Ma." Montana once called the notes 'cringe.' Then one day, I didn't put one in. He called me out.

Oh, and it was always JIF, cut diagonal.
Creamy, reliable, never switched brands.
When you find something that sticks (literally and emotionally)...you hold on tight.

Because it was never just about the food. 
It was about showing up. Every single day.

And just like that, the lunchbox era ends.
What a privilege to make the last sandwich.