Never Say Never

"I will never own a mini-van!" I boldly proclaimed right after having our twin girls.

Three years later.

"Great doing business with you!" I said to the nice sales rep. "This is exactly the van we wanted!"

Yes, today, we fell into line with the rest of you morons, and became a mini-van clan. Just two years ago I was driving a brand new, fast, hot, 405hp Corvette. The envy of everyone at every red light I stopped at. Plus, I owned a bright red, double cab Toyota Tacoma that made Home Depot visits a breeze.

But life is different now with twins and another child to arrive any day. The Vett was sold last year, and today the truck is on the market. All dignity has been lost. My kids have finally completely taken over. Nothing is sacred.

The mini-van clan is moving forward full-steam ahead and the forecast shows no signs of change. I feel dizzy, lightheaded and confused. My world is going dark....

What's really scary is we both actually got excited about this thing too. Before I knew it, even I was talking non-stop about all we could do with this mini-van. The trips we could take with fewer stops, the openness of the windows, the smooth ride and the family fun to be had! Almost as if I was trying to convince my male psyche that stacking bags of mulch into the back of this thing in the parking lot of Lowes really wasn't gonna be so bad.

From what I heard from numerous car salesmen, I was simply one of many men who eventually succumb to taking the proverbial walk down "Daddy Vehicle Lane". Right past the 300hp sedans, the incredible dual cab trucks, the new hot rod sports cars, all the way straight to "Mini Van Parkway".

And just like many before me, and many who too will follow, my walk ended with me driving a minivan right out of the parking lot. All the while, a timid look of joy on the face of another dad who has no idea when life as he knew it would ever return.

Now I guess I get to start saying I am the husband of one of those hot minivan moms.

Never say never.

“So he made his war-wagon (mini-van) ready and took his people (kids) with him.” Exodus 14:6 NLT

© 2008, J. Brady

”I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."