To My Youngest Son - Before the Wedding

It all began in 1985.... yes, when Brian was conceived.  We were surprised that we were pregnant so soon.  Aaron was only 5 months old.

We welcomed the challenge and worried as well.  Mike and I couldn't decide on a name.  I finally said - you choose - BUT - I want the middle name to begin with an "A" - and it needs to be a strong name.

Fast forward 9 months - to February 10, 1986.  Early appointment at the hospital for a scheduled c-section.  Brian was delivered - and when they showed him to me, I said "he looks like Yoda - all wrinkles and just a tuft of hair".  Everyone laughed at that.  He was 6 lbs, 12 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. 

He was a happy baby and did everything as soon as he could to keep up with his big brother.

He had his own language - he called garbage trucks "dump trashes" because that is what they did - they dumped trash.  He called helicopters "hepticollars".  There were other "Brian-isms" and there still are.  He picked on his dad when Mike said "cotton-picking" and other old fashioned terms.

Brian was involved in all kinds of things - from an early age.  He liked t-ball, soccer, running and playing.  He went to Mims Baptist Church for kindergarten.  He also attended "year-round school" and excelled.  While he enjoyed it - he could be "mischievous" as well (yes, he was often in trouble).  He enjoyed drawing and got me called to the principals office for it one day.  He saw some gang signs somewhere in Conroe and drew them on his book.  The principal called me to the office to find out what was going on.  We asked Brian and he said he saw them on a building and thought they were cool - so he copied them.  He didn't know what the big fuss was about.  Oh the innocence of young children.

He played football and baseball - all out.  He hurt his ankle and didn't tell the coach because he would not be able to play.  That hurt ankle was a growth plate fracture and earned him a cast.  He has hurt his knee a couple of times - both using a knee stabilizer and crutches.  Yes, he got around fast on those crutches.  There has been a hurt wrist, hurt ankle, cuts on the chin and forehead - a little bit of it all.

He played sports the way he looks at life - all out and when it is no longer fun, why do it.

His senior year - when his high school played a rival high school - he wore the rival high school t-shirt and a kilt (they were the "Highlanders").  He went right up to the principal and shook the his hand - while calling him by his first name.

He was a "band-aid" for his brother's school band.  He was in technology and he was a local and State representative.  He took German for 3 years and was the treasurer.  He did what he wanted, when he wanted and excelled at it all.

He dated several girls - and cared for them deeply.  He became involved with their families and keeps in touch with them today.

He went to fire-school and learned to be a fireman, he took an EMT class and did amazing things, he went to peace officer school and excelled there as well.  He worked for Aramark and his Uncle in Dallas while learning how to be a fire inspector/investigator.

He met the young woman he wants to marry - and as with all things Brian did it his way and has found a family in her family.  He works for the Montgomery County Fire Marshall's and is a senior inspector/investigator.

He asked one day if he was an "accident" - and I had to say - "you were not an accident, but a surprise.  An accident you do not ever want, a surprise is something you don't know you wanted until you have it".  That is my son - a surprise and full of life.
Brian - I love you forever and a day,
Mom

Sunday, April 10, 2011

This is not my normal story.  This is written with love and tears.
This is about someone gone too soon.

A young lady that we have known ended her life this day.  For whatever reasons that are known only to her, she felt she could no longer go on.  She leaves behind her mother, father, step-mother, step-father, siblings and her son.  She was impulsive, full of laughter, fought for what she thought was hers and loved fiercely. 

She will be missed - by those whose life she touched, including ours.

Take a moment, hug the one you love tightly.  Tell those in your life what they mean to you - because you never know what the moment may mean.

To Aaron and Brian, KayDee and Kara - know that you are loved, not only by the person you have chosen as your future spouse, but by Mike and I as well.  We love you all - through thick and thin.  We are family. 

Love, forever and a day