The M&M Story

Below is a column that Brian wrote several years ago. He submitted it to the Post after his success with the marriage article, but it was not published. I found it the other day and thought you loyal readers would enjoy it. Tree Hunting Column By Brian Maynor Last modified, December 10, 2000 Last week, my family went Christmas tree hunting. My family that day included my wife Susan, my youngest brother (sporting a winter goatee he’s been working on for a couple weeks), my sister-in-law and me. We all piled into a Ford Explorer and headed out to the Missouri countryside. A variety of traditions were represented in the SUV that morning. My brother and I grew up with fake trees—our first Christmas tree our parents bought at Sears and Roebuck. It was the kind with plastic sheaths that slipped down over a metal pole and hard plastic branches that plugged into the sheaths. Three hours, seven cups of coffee and two domestic dispute calls later, it was assembled. One New Year’s Day, in the int...

Today I bought a minivan. The Jetta was becoming more and more unreliable, even a little scary to drive, and it didn't fit more than two kids comfortably. As schooling approaches like a tidal wave (they grow SO fast), it was time to upgrade to something larger as I begin the routine of carpooling and soccer games. Brian and I had planned to get something bigger this spring/summer, so it seemed somewhat normal to do this, but not really. It felt HUGE to not have him by my side, for us to do our normal deliberation for hours over the right color, the right style, the right whatever. (We creative types have a tendency to be seriously high maintenance.) But in all honesty, it doesn't feel right to go back to who I was before Brian went home. I found myself feeling safe in God's arms as I prayed for the right vehicle to become available. Peter and Melanie joined me in the search and proved to be my dear sister and brother. Yes, we all teared up thinking of Brian drivin...

I asked M today what he wanted to be when he grew up. Expecting "fireman" or "policeman" or "soccer player," he replied, "We'll see whatever God makes me." Later in the day, he decided that being a fireman was what God wanted to make him.

M and B love Spiderman. I'm sure it was Jake's influence. But a friend from Los Angeles sent us a care package full of Spidey stuff, and we now own the dvd's of the original series. Boy, does that bring back memories of Saturday morning cartoons! Well, they ask for it EVERY day, but we tend to save it for special occasions. Whenever that time comes, B goes running through the house yelling, "Myman! Myman! Myman!"

On the top bunk Originally uploaded by Maynor . M and I went to Camp Barnabas last weekend for a Camp Soaring Hawk reunion/work crew with many old friends. M had a ball! He held a crawfish, fed the horses, sang songs, and slept on the top bunk - well, for 1/2 a night. He was so excited to be on the top. We set up his sleeping bag, got his pillow/Rams blanket/Tiger all situated, and made sure his water was in reaching distance--just like home. About halfway through the night, he woke up a little scared and wanted to come sleep with me, which he did but that was the end of my night's sleep. The next evening we got him all set up on the bottom bunk, and he was snug as a bug all night long!