My Mom Invented Road ID*

*She didn't really, but she had the idea 25 years ago...if only she realized what it would become.

I tease my mom now that she really was on to something back in the day, even though I didn't like it one bit....THEN.  Now, I LOVE it.  It is my Road ID. Rocketman wears his religiously and many of my peeps wouldn't think of hitting the water, road, trail, slopes without theirs. 

Road ID is piece of mind wrapped up into one little velcro bracelet/anklet. The tab on the Road ID includes your name and phone number, allergies and emergency contact names/numbers. The company's mission is to save lives. I love that. And I love their story. Read it here.

Back in the day, when I was a kid hitting the neighborhood on my bike (and once, even getting hit by a car on my bike...ouch) my SuperMom created her own version of what is now Road ID.  No way was she going to let me or SuperSissy out of the house without a way we could be identified, Heaven forbid something happen.

SuperParents, Circa 1985 - Aren't They Cute?

 It was 1985 and SuperMom was inventive. 

She grabbed a the nearest writing instrument and had us roll up our sleeves. 

Yep, she wrote, 

IN BALLPOINT PEN or 

PERMANENT MARKER, our name, address and phone number. 

Right there on our forearm. 

Oye. 

 

I can still remember the feeling I had leaving the house - hopeful I would not forget and carelessly push my sleeves up thereby exposing "Mom ID" ... That would have been endless material for my friends to use against me. I do not however, remember wearing short sleeves with my "ID"... guess I've blocked that out.

After a few years of the pen/sharpie system, SuperMom eased up and created little plastic ID cards with the same information. We could carry these inconspicuously in our pockets. 

Which we did for years and years.

 SuperMom tells me she still has these cards somewhere in her storage area. (awww)

I hated the ID carrying requirement SuperMom placed on me back in the day, but as a mother myself now, I totally get it. As my husband and children venture off on their own and with the trio's boundaries expanding each year, it's wonderful piece of mind to know that I can reached if Heaven forbid, they are hurt while out exploring their world. I ordered 3 for the trio just in time for their yet-to-be-revealed summer boundary expansion.

Today, at age 37, I found myself honoring/answering two of SuperMom's insistent rules from back in the day. I could hear her in my head.

McNewton, Buddy.

#1 "Are you with sombody?"- There is safety in numbers. I hit the Metro Park for an easy 4 miler today - SuperMom wouldn't want me running solo, even today - thanks McNewton. (left) for the company. I know my mom thanks you too.

#2 - "do you have your ID?" 

I snapped a pic of my ankle at the end of the run. 

I love my Road ID

Word to my mother.

Shout Out: 

1. Do you wear RoadID? If not.. WHY?
2. What was your mom/dad's rule from childhood you loathed then but observe now?
3. How was your weekend? 
   

High five,

Steph

Road ID did not compensate me. I paid for my Road ID and wear it because my mother told me to.