I proudly wear the badge of the “muddy puddles” mom, but it wasn’t always that way for me.
Flashback to the Fourth of July in 2010. I was at a backyard celebration with my two little boys: my eldest, Jake, was just 2, and my youngest, Noah, was only 2 months old. As the sun set, a friend called me over with an infectious grin, eager to show me Jake. There he stood, right in a muddy puddle, eyes gleaming with the kind of joy that only a child can have.
Inside, I was ready to panic. No extra clothes? A long drive ahead? I could already imagine the muddy car seat, not to mention the tantrum over wet clothes on the way home. Exhausted from a day of chasing after him while caring for a tiny baby, I felt overwhelmed.
But on the outside, I plastered on a smile. I tried to brush aside the chaos and focus on the pure joy radiating from my son. I wanted to share in the laughter of those around us (who, of course, weren’t responsible for the mess left behind).
To my surprise, Jake didn’t complain once about his soggy outfit. We made it home, cleaned him up as best we could, and let him drift off to sleep a little dirty. Looking back now, I’m so grateful I chose to let go of my worries that day. It would be one of the few times he got to relish such a simple delight.
Just two months later, everything changed. Jake was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, a shocking twist in our lives. He was a vibrant little boy, full of energy, and cancer seemed impossible.
Over the next two and a half years, Jake faced 20 surgeries and spent 260 nights in the hospital. Each time he showed signs of recovery, another setback would land him back in bed. Cancer is truly relentless.
During this time, I watched as Noah grew up with the help of family and friends, missing out on much of what I thought motherhood should be. But every moment I got to spend with him was a cherished memory. Those sticky kisses and handprints on the window became precious treasures. Parenthood transformed me in ways I never expected, and I’m thankful for that.
Jake had the sweetest voice, always assuring me he was feeling “all bedda,” even when he was clearly in pain. He didn’t want anyone to worry about him. One day, I asked him, “What’s the first thing you want to do when you’re all better?” His response? “I wanna jump in a MUDDY PUDDLE!”
That simple statement struck a chord deep within me. I felt compelled to share his words with the world, reminding parents everywhere that many children are unable to experience such simple joys. We should honor those kids by letting our little ones be just that—little.
As a result, my husband and I founded The Muddy Puddles Project, a fundraising initiative to support childhood cancer research through the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation. We declared April 1st as National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day. Join us! Share photos of your kids jumping in puddles on the Muddy Puddles Project website or Facebook page. Let’s raise awareness together and remember to encourage our children to splash in muddy puddles, get messy with finger paints, and embrace creativity. Before we know it, they’ll be all grown up, viewing muddy clothes as just a hassle.
And remember, the concept of a muddy puddle isn’t limited to just a puddle. Whatever your “muddy puddle” may be, I hope you face it head-on today… and just JUMP IN!
One in two men, one in three women, and one in 300 children will face cancer. So, what’s YOUR muddy puddle?