While both processes can create the best outcomes, cooking and baking are inherently different. The procedures, and perhaps the overall philosophy, may produce a contrasting composition.
Cooking is more of a live-action process. It may include merely basic preparations prior to the main event. The crucial part of the process is bringing all the elements together in making adjustments as necessary, immediately, in the heat of moment. Making modifications while watching, listening, smelling, and tasting every step of the way. Like a three-ring circus, many moving elements balanced simultaneously create the show. When that show is over, it will never be exactly the same, if repeated.
Alternatively, baking relies heavily on the preparation and early steps in the process. Those crucial steps are completed well ahead of the transformation process. The successful baker works like a scientist, carefully preparing various ingredients, continuing to make measured steps, throughout an extended duration. Prior to entering the oven, the creation will largely be well defined but not yet transformed. While in the oven, the transformation takes place and the creative beauty is revealed after it returns from the oven.
A similar dichotomy exists in parenting.
Raising infants, like cooking, is more of a live action process. Once we have the basic gear, the process is a real-time operation adjusting to the situation. Preparation is still required but ongoing improvisation is crucial as communication develops. Listening to the various cries and observing the facial expressions as we adapt begins our two-way communication. We learn to react and adjust, in real-time, as we understand our infants needs. As we both grow, our communication continues to develop, allowing deeper meaningful conversations.
On average, this process seems to work for about twelve years. As our cook prepares to retire, reliance turns to our baker. As our conversations developed, our baker has been preparing ingredients for years. Carefully measured with philosophy and weighed with morals, our ingredients have been advancing without notice. Each example we set have been accumulated for years. When it is time, the mixture of ingredients enter the oven. While we worked hard to produce the best ingredients, we still grasp tightly on to hope during the transition.
Teenager is in the oven.
With ingredients of love.
Transforming under pressure.
Genesis of maturity has begun.
Create. Love. Transform.
Wonderful. Terrifying. Let go and let God.