I believe it was a few weeks before my son, Leo, turned 2 and we were driving down a side street near our home that had some construction going on. There were some potholes and bumps around and though we were driving at about 10 miles per hour, it was still pretty rough.
I remarked to both of the children, “Wow, this road sure is bumpy!” Zoe said, “I don’t like bumpy. Why is it bumpy?” I tried to explain the construction. Leo chirped from his rear-facing spot in the back seat, “Bumpy road!” I thought this was pretty sophisticated language for someone of that age and considered how long it took Zoe to say something complicated like “bumpy road.” I told my parents about it and they thought it was cool. We were all impressed.
After that day, if Leo had an issue with something that didn’t go his way at home (like spilling the Cheerios on the floor) he said, “Bumpy road!” If he got a little scratch, it was “Bumpy road!” If someone didn’t share with him, it became, “Bumpy road!” This has been a funny catchphrase for him and something I have enjoyed immensely. Sometimes I will pre-emptively say, “Bumpy road!” if I know something happened that will provoke him to say it. Then he will agree with me and say in a forlorn voice, “Bumpy road.”
To me, this has become a theme in my life.
Sometimes there are rough times and challenges. I can choose to live like Leo and say, “Bumpy road!” but still move on. Or I can dwell on it and get overwhelmed by the proverbial bumps. Leo knows I will help him get through the bumps and if we’re driving on the road, we will get past that patch sometime soon. I always remind him, ”Mommy is here to help you, Mr. Bumpy Road.” Things might not always be “ok,” but I will be there to make them the best that they can be. I have support from my family and friends as well who will help smooth out the bumps for me. I know that I can rely on them to make my life feel less bumpy.
My parents and I were driving in the country with the kids the other week, and I drove over some unevenness in the road. Leo said, “Bumpy road!” true to form. My dad started singing the old John Denver song and we incorporated Leo’s phrase into it. It became an anthem for the family with a special meaning for us. Even though times are hard, home will always be there and family will stay by your side.
Bumpy road,
Take me home.
To the place,
I belong.
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma.
Take me home,
Bumpy road.
(adapted from John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”)
