Their phone calls made me smile . . . the kids’ phone calls, that is.
A few weeks ago, I received a steady stream of calls from my children. Coincidently, each call reported a bump.
The first call came from my oldest son Jared. He was babysitting his son Allister. Jared is a new father at 34.
His panicked phone call made me smile.
“Mom, Allister was laying on the sofa and when I wasn’t looking, he rolled right off. Do you think he’ll be OK? Will he get a bump? I didn’t know they could roll so soon.”
I kept on smiling, as I reassured Jared, that I had the same experience with him. I learned, in the same way, that before you know it (and without any warning), a 1- to 3-month-old can roll over, and off.
Jared calmed down. I ended the call with a reminder to watch for sleepiness, additional bumps, or bruises.
Next Kortney called. She told me she had a 1 1/2 pound bump. I asked her if she had fallen on the ice. Idaho is so bad in the winter.
She reported that she was gaining weight, and she was concerned with her new bump.
I smiled and reminded Kortney that she was pregnant. I gently encouraged her with, “weight gain is normal for a pregnancy.”
A few days later, Ashley phoned to tell me about her special Valentines’ dinner.
In planning for Ashley’s surprise, hubby Cameron had prepared my recipe for Chicken A La King. Cameron wanted to cook a special meal, for Ashley, for Valentine’s Day.
Well, the dinner went well, that is . . . until learning-to-walk Carter tried to take the 13 stairs to the basement, with one huge step. Carter had a bump on his forehead, a big bump. They sent me a picture, which really made me smile.
Last of all, son Adam phoned. I asked to speak to grandson Ethan and then listened to his chatter of “kachow and twain bumped.” I smiled at Ethan’s concern. According to dad, “kachow and twain” were well.
Well, that’s my week of bumps and smiles. Are you ready for a poem?
When the phone rings fast, don’t be alarmed,
If the caller talks bumps for a while,
For thumps and thuds are part of life
Calm their fears and carry on with smile.
