You ate it, Ralph!

When I was a kid, my parents had one answer when the question came up, "Is there any more (food, dessert, something yummy)?" If there was no more, the answer invariably was "You ate it, Ralph!" There was none left, you ate your allotted share, and that was all there was.

I think I'm going to have to make that into a sign to look at every night when I'm feeling snacky. No more food for the day, especially this close to bed! You ate it, Ralph.

My children shall know of this little piece of my childhood, rewoven into their childhoods. Teach the good stuff. Forget the bad stuff. You did the best you could with what you had at the time. Forgive yourself. And the family that went through it with you.