Recently, I held an amusing and memorable conversation with my son, who began kindergarten this year, on the subject of mopping. My 5 year old son, Kaleb, claimed my Swiffer mop as his own, and he enjoys mopping my kitchen and hardwood floors. Last summer, while I was watching him eagerly mop my floors, he suddenly exclaimed, “I’m just like a janitor!” Amused, and somewhat surprised at his thoughtful comparison, I smiled and answered, “Yes, you are like the school janitor Mr. Bruce.” Immediately, a bright smile came to his face, and he agreed with obvious pride and delight, “Yes, I am like Mr. Bruce.” Then I told him that maybe someday, when he was a bigger boy like his brother, he could help Mr. Bruce mop the floors at school. Upon hearing that, he told me excitedly, “I’m going to help Mr. Bruce at school; I could be the one to mop the hallways”. Meanwhile, Kaleb put his mop away and moved on to his next activity. I assumed he would forget about our conversation. Later, on the first day of kindergarten, I was listening to Kaleb’s brother help him prepare his backpack, making sure he had the pencils, erasers, and supplies he needed on his first day of school, when I overheard Kaleb say earnestly, “Should I take my mop?” My older son and I refrained from laughing so we wouldn’t embarrass him, and told him gently that no; he wouldn’t be needing his mop today. My heart warmed, and I wished that moments like those could remain in my heart forever; but sadly, memories fade and little boys grow up. Maybe someday when he is a bigger boy, Kaleb will help Mr. Bruce mop the school hallways, but in the meanwhile he'll have to be satisfied with helping his Mom mop floors at home.