The Truth about Mary

This is a post about somebody named Mary Anderson. You may regard me as somebody who is incredibly biased towards this particular woman, being her husband (of nearly 12 years), father of her five children, and best friend. Biased? OK, yes, you got me. But I would counter that I am also a subject matter expert on this particular person. And it is time that you know the truth about Mary Anderson.

Mary, the champion

If I had to sum up Mary in one word, I would say, "Mary is a champion." Always has been, always was. Some of you may know that Mary signed up for a series of half marathons this summer. After running the second of four races, she injured her foot and had to sit out the third race, the Hobble Creek Half, just last Saturday.

What you probably don't know is that this injury was devastating to Mary. She did everything she could to run in that race, she got massages, she bought a special leg brace, she prayed and sought out the Lord to be healed...and while her heart was healed in other ways, the physical pain from plantar faciatus lingered and she was not able to run come race day.

Now, she could have done a lot of things come race day. She could have slept in. She could have been negative and grouchy. She could have decided that running was not for her.

But instead, like the champion that she is, she did this instead:

She arose early and made her way over to mile 10 of the 13.1 mile race to cheer on some of her friends who were also running. This allowed me the opportunity to take several photos of her without her knowing, as I smiled to myself and thought, "well, doesn't this just capture the true nature of who Mary is?"

Instead of letting herself feel down and upset, she thinks of others. I can't tell you how many meals she has taken to a friend or a neighbor in need or how many times she has called someone who is hurting or how many times she has comforted one of our children, because I'm not sure. I can only tell you that it's a a lot.

So, on Mary's 34th birthday, and a dozen years to the day that I dropped on one knee and was ready to beg her to marry me (I didn't have to beg, fortunately for me!) I am grateful for champions in my life, especially one I get to call my wife (of nearly 12 years), mother of my five children, and best friend.

Happy birthday, Mary. I love you.

Scott & Brade: A Tale of Two Sons

Going through some photos tonight and I just had to share. I am blessed with two sons; my oldest son is named Scott. He has the kind of imagination that is without end or limitation. If you spend any amount of time with Scott, you will likely see him wander off into a nearby field or lot and begin to transform. Yes, that's right... transform. Complete with mouth noises, the works. He does it when he doesn't think anyone is looking, and he doesn't seem to hear you when he is in the middle of one of these transformations. He is extremely right brained, and if you put him in a box, and ask for a nice picture while taking family portraits at Yellowstone National Park, you might get this:

    

 
Now, this is a lovely photo of Scott and everything, but it doesn't truly capture his nature. If, on the other hand, you were to say to Scott, "OK, Buddy, you win....let's do whatever you want to do now," the results will be sure to entertain. You might get:

 

a maniacal smile, 

 

or perhaps Captain America saving the day,

 

but two seconds later you might see the Captain transform into a hideous mantis-beast, his back wiggling as he breaks out of his skin to better pursue you, with his insect beak all a-screeching.

 

Suddenly he's a stealthy ninja, silently creeping up the back alley to take the vermin crime gang unawares. Not a sound does he make until he pops into the head of some other villainous creature, or death defying hero.

~~~~~

Did I mention that I have another son? His name is Braden, and if you asked him to give you a nice smile for his Yellowstone River portrait, this is what you'll likely get, every single time:

I have two sons, and I love them both for entirely different reasons!