Some of my favorite memories of my brother, Mark, occurred while riding in the lime green Ford truck that is as old as my parent's marriage.Mark mostly only drove this truck during high school, but with the holes in the floor, bat behind the seat (in case he "got into trouble"), and the jimmy-rigged stereo that was always blasting Nirvana, Pearl Jam, or Stone Temple Pilots, every drive was adventurous.
On a normal drive to school Mark would find a mud puddle that needed to be driven through, snow banks that needed to be plowed over, or a slow driver that needed to be passed by with Mark's classic move, "The Turbo." And while the only driving tip I received from my brothers--"You waste gas if you slow down"--is actually attributed to my oldest brother, Jay, Mark has always strictly adhered to energy conservation: save gas, drive fast.
I've always said that if I needed to escape from the cops, get to the hospital in a second, or if I ever just happened to be stuck on a bus that would blow up if it went slower than 50 MPH, I would choose Mark to be my driver. No matter what, if my life were in danger, I'd want him to be the genius behind the wheel.
Our neighbor, let's call her Sister Call, didn't see Mark's driving ability as "Skillful". If we ever drove past her house on our way home, she would have already given my mom an earful by the time we pulled into the driveway. Mark would get Sister Call's lecture verbatim through my mother, "There are kids that play on the street! It's a neighborhood full of families! Don't you have have any respect for human life?"
Many threats and tears put the brakes on Mark's opportunities to exhibit his fine talent in the green truck.
He grew up (in the right ways), got married, had six kids, and starting working day and night; through floods and evacuations; through Mardi Gras; and through family triumphs and even some tradgedies; to earn his Doctoral degree from Tulane Medical School.
Who would have guessed he placed such value on human life?
Well, just for the record, Sister Call, I would have!
CONGRATULATIONS DR. MARK M. CALDER!!!
I'm so proud of you!!
(Mark's kids congratulating him at the door)
(The crawfish boil after the celebration.)
(Can you believe people eat these things? I couldn't, until I tried them...and it turns out they are delicious. A perfect New Orleans treat.)
P.S. If you want to hear the commencement speech, it was given by Ellen DeGeneres (and it's definitely the funniest commencement speech I've ever heard. They certainly don't give 'em like that at BYU) go here.
I've always said that if I needed to escape from the cops, get to the hospital in a second, or if I ever just happened to be stuck on a bus that would blow up if it went slower than 50 MPH, I would choose Mark to be my driver. No matter what, if my life were in danger, I'd want him to be the genius behind the wheel.
Our neighbor, let's call her Sister Call, didn't see Mark's driving ability as "Skillful". If we ever drove past her house on our way home, she would have already given my mom an earful by the time we pulled into the driveway. Mark would get Sister Call's lecture verbatim through my mother, "There are kids that play on the street! It's a neighborhood full of families! Don't you have have any respect for human life?"
Many threats and tears put the brakes on Mark's opportunities to exhibit his fine talent in the green truck.
He grew up (in the right ways), got married, had six kids, and starting working day and night; through floods and evacuations; through Mardi Gras; and through family triumphs and even some tradgedies; to earn his Doctoral degree from Tulane Medical School.
Who would have guessed he placed such value on human life?
Well, just for the record, Sister Call, I would have!
CONGRATULATIONS DR. MARK M. CALDER!!!
I'm so proud of you!!
(Mark's kids congratulating him at the door)
(The crawfish boil after the celebration.)
(Can you believe people eat these things? I couldn't, until I tried them...and it turns out they are delicious. A perfect New Orleans treat.)
P.S. If you want to hear the commencement speech, it was given by Ellen DeGeneres (and it's definitely the funniest commencement speech I've ever heard. They certainly don't give 'em like that at BYU) go here.
Somebody give that guy a scapel already...
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6 comments:
As I started reading this I was already thinking of my mom before you even mentioned her. Ha! That's a crack up. To be true, she always thought your brothers were "such nice young men". She was notorious for being the Fir avenue Speed patroler. We need to be in touch soon! I am so excited for you and all of your happenings. Good times Kimberly Ann!
Great commentary on our very own Dr. Mark. I am so proud of him and loved your view of the whole experience. Wished I could have been there but after your post and the clip of Ellen, I feel like I made the trip. Thanks for sharing!!!
Well, I sure remember that Lime Green Ford Truck. I always looked for it in your parent's drive way every time I ever drove to or past your house! Congrats Mark!
Such a great post! Graduation was a fun time. So glad we could make it together. And SO proud of Mark. Love the stories about the green truck and Bethanne's comment. Got to love Sister Call.
Way to go Mark first of all! Miss the green truck that smelled like gasoline second of all and last that made me laugh about Beth's mom. I forgot about that. Good times!!!
Kimberly,
I'll be thinking about you tomorrow! I'm SO excited for you. Good luck with everything...I wish I could be there! But make sure to post LOTS of pictures! Love you!
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