Biking with my son

I have been cycling with my son Brandon quite a bit lately, usually about 3-5 miles per night.  Since he just learned to ride in April, I still find this amazing when I really think about it.  We have had some goals in place for him (and I get the exercise benefit, too), and we have ridden over 84 miles together since we started.  Both of us have lost weight, which is a part of the plan.

This time together has quickly become my favorite time of the day.  Brandon and I were already very close, but I feel like I am getting to know him better as a person lately rather than just a little boy, which is pretty awesome.  I feel truly blessed to have such a smart and funny kid.  At age nine, he is far wiser than I was at his age, and if I am being honest he is ahead of some adults I know, too.  Of course, I am not biased at all.  :-)

When my mom was in town recently, she accompanied us in order to watch Brandon ride for awhile.  It was great to see him showing off for Grandma.  She commented that I look like a bike cop with my helmet and gloves on.  She is probably right, and this is somewhat motivational, but the balloon of my ego deflates a little bit when I finish the ride and feel my spine shift painfully toward my tailbone.  I remember riding for hours when I was a kid, but clearly I am not as young as I used to be.

I had a stray thought two nights ago when we were preparing for our evening ride, and I thought it would be a good idea to bring it up with Brandon:

ME: Brandon, can I ask you a question without scaring you?

BRANDON: I don't know - maybe.

ME: I guess I need to ask you regardless.  What would you do if we were riding our bikes and I got badly hurt somehow?  Would you come to one of these houses here by the school and ask for help?

Yes, I realize that this scenario is not very likely, but we ride in a new and somewhat remote section of the development about two miles from our house, and no one is living back there yet.  It helps to ride there because there is very little traffic in the evenings.  Nevertheless, Brandon's mature response surprised me:

BRANDON: Well, I would probably get your keys from your pocket, and return to the van and get your cell phone, then call 9-1-1 for help.  If you were badly hurt, I would try mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Now, mind you, Brandon doesn't actually know mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but the fact that he even thought of it was awesome. 

We talked about it again tonight, and I think we might take a class together, just to have the knowledge.  I know the basics and I used to be certified in CPR when I worked at a boy's home during college, but it has been awhile.

I am constantly amazed by how my kids' minds work, and how much they seem to learn each year.  I am thankful to God for blessing us with three healthy, beautiful children.

Thanks for reading!