Leo - Finding his Rhythm with Benny

Music has always been Leo’s language.

Long before he could talk, music was our bridge — a way of setting the tone for the day, calming storms, and creating moments of joy that words could not quite reach. It was a communication tool, but also something much deeper: a bond.

Music in His Bones

Over the years Leo’s relationship with music has only grown. He has had lessons in drums and guitar, and what constantly amazes me is his ear for detail.

Put on a complicated Disney score and he will pick out individual instruments most of us would never even notice. It feels instinctive to him, this ability to hear beyond the surface.

These last couple of days have reminded me just how much music lives in his bones.

I watched him dance to a busker playing fiddle in the street, and later he was already moving, arms flying in his own inimitable freestyle, part Morris, part ceilidh before an accordion player had even struck the first note.

His joy is unfiltered, pure, and it radiates.

The Gift of Benny

And then there is Benny, our motorhome.

Every trip we take in Benny reinforces the decision to buy him. For Leo, change is hard. New places, new routines, new environments can be overwhelming. But Benny is his anchor. He knows his space, his role, and his responsibilities. That sense of purpose has been transformative.

Leo has jobs that are simply his, before we set off and when we arrive at a destination. He folds in the wing mirrors, checks cupboards and doors are locked tight, and makes sure everything is stowed away.

He does not just do them — he does them with absolute determination and pride. He beams with confidence after each small challenge, and in those moments I see the adult he is becoming.

A New Responsibility

Today he took on something new.

We usually wild camp, but this time we had to reserve a pitch. The system is simple: a heavy five-litre drum filled with water with a sign that reads “Pitch Taken.” You leave it in your spot when you drive out for the day.

For Leo, it meant stepping out of the van as I pulled away, carrying the weighty container, and placing it firmly in the middle of our pitch.

It may sound small, but for both of us it was huge.

For him it meant trust and independence.

For me it meant swallowing that flicker of terror as I drove off, pretending to look casual while secretly whispering, “please do not let me run over my own child.”

When we returned it was Leo’s job again to clear the pitch, standing near the van as I manoeuvred into place. He handled it all with such calm confidence that I found myself laughing at my own nerves.

Finding Community

Being part of the motorhome community is another unexpected gift.

As we pass other vans on the road, the majority of drivers wave. Leo’s eyes light up, and he waves back with such eager delight that the whole van fills with his laughter.

His confidence and social skills have grown so much on these journeys. Now, when we go out for a meal, he will happily read the menu himself and order his own food before I have even opened my mouth to encourage him.

Yesterday he surprised me completely. After his drink arrived, he got up of his own accord, walked to the counter, and politely asked the gentleman behind it for a straw.

No prompting, no reminders. Just Leo, using his manners, and then sitting back down beaming — at his own ability and at the amazement and pride written all over my face.

Looking Ahead

It struck me again how much Benny gives us, beyond just transport.

He gives Leo structure, purpose, and responsibility. He gives him independence in a world that does not always offer it freely. He gives him community, with every wave and every shared smile from strangers who understand.

And he gives me the privilege of watching my boy beam with pride, not because I told him he did well, but because he knew it himself.

I could not be prouder of the young man he is becoming.

Music may have been our first bridge, but it is his determination, his growing independence, and his joy in life that make me excited for every journey ahead.