You must eat a peck of dirt before you die

Growing up, my mother used to say to me all the time, "Marsha, you must eat a peck of dirt before you die."  I literally conjured up in my own little mind's eye someone slowly eating spoonfuls of dirt.  Later, as an adult, I came to understand that this was a saying from the 18th century meaning that everyone has to endure something unpleasant during their lifetime.  As wise as my mother was, I still  think about being forced to eat dirt every time I see soil on any fruit or vegetable. A Proustian response?  Perhaps.