Understanding Irony in Growth

In the following passage, a young mother reflects on the experience of watching her child take his first steps. The mother describes the moment with a mixture of pride and nostalgia, noting how her child, though nervous, displays an eagerness to explore the world around him:

"I remember the day vividly, as if it were etched into the very fabric of my being. My little son, standing unsteadily, his tiny hands outstretched, appeared the picture of determination. It was in that fleeting moment, so full of hope and potential, that I understood life's cruel twist: while he was about to journey into a world of independence, I was simultaneously losing a piece of the child who would forever depend on me. Irony, I thought, as he wobbled forward—a step towards the future but a permanent farewell to the innocent cradle of dependence. It felt like a celebration tinged with the bittersweet flavor of letting go."