Let's Hear it for the Boy

This will make for two posts in one day. I have so much to say lately! I just have to mention my brother, Bryan--the Boo Boy.

Story:

When I was around seven years old, my brothers, Bryan and Steven, and I would play a game called "Good Guys and Bad Guys." This game was usually played outside in good weather or inside if the Fresno heat made it necessary to stay inside in order to live. This game was played by the three of us who played the "Good Guys" and the completely imagined "Bad Guys." Every day made for a new episode where the Good Guys struggled to overcome the evil plans of the Bad Guys. I can now remember it being a lot like the Star Trek: Next Generation episodes we'd watch as a family.

The game would start by someone saying, "Hey, let's play Good Guys and Bad Guys." Game on. Our brother Steven, who played "Steve," would tell us what was happening around us and what to do to fight the Bad Guys. I, "Karate Girl," would follow along with his plans until I had a great idea of my own. Then we'd argue and Steve would inevitably overule Karate Girl.

Bryan, who played "French Punch," was also very good at following along without question. But then one day our younger sister really wanted to play with us. By that time we had run out of super creative character names, so we wanted to throw out her request. Since Bryan has always been a ladies man, and a bit of a softie, he encouraged us to give her a try. We put her through a rigorous skills test in the backyard--it's true, because we had to figure out what her skill would be in the game. In case you couldn't tell by our names, Steve had all-power and strength, I had amazing karate moves, and Bryan had a glove that gave him a hard and solid punch. Kathleen needed a skill too. I think we named her "Spiller," or "Silver" or something close to it, because she could lay flat on the ground. We imagined this as her turning into liquid form. So we let her play.

She only played that one day, but I'll never forget Bryan's encouragement and his advocacy for her. He was always good at looking out for his younger sisters...and the older ones. :)

The End.


Today is Bryan's birthday and he has reported to serve in the Texas McAllen Mission. He has been in the MTC for one whole week and he's already complaining about not getting enough letters. My roommates tell me this is normal but I don't recall my older brothers complaining so much. Perhaps they suffered silently.

I was trying to call my dad earlier today while he was at work and thought I'd try to call Bryan to see if it was a busy day. Before pressing the button to call, I realized that I probably wouldn't be able to get ahold of Bryan seeing as how he's, ya know, in the MTC. They make phone calls a little difficult there.

I'm so grateful to have Bryan as a brother. I'm also grateful for his exemplary decision to serve the Lord. Dang, I miss that kid. That's all...

beck