The mini van brigade

I was asked to help my son during an art project that had the potential of being VERY messy and he tends to be messier than most. The art project went beautifully with no messes or problems and I was pretty much an unnecessary addition, other than Thomas was thrilled to have his Mommy with him!

This, however, is about my short walk home.

I left the school just before the final bell of the day. I was amazed at the mini vans lining the street filled with mothers and children waiting for the youngsters to be released from their daily educational exercises. Little ones climbed out of the side doors to play on the grass strip between the road and the sidewalk. Harried mothers watched the doors, just waiting. And then there were the lines and lines and lines in the parking lot of the church next door.

I started to laugh. This was really funny! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I have lived across from that school for five years now and I'd never noticed before the parade at going home time.

It got me thinking about my own MAW or MAV, depending on who you talked to. At one time I did drive a mini van. It was a hand-me-across from my parents who realized I didn't have a way to get around without it. I appreciated it. I drove it. A former spouse destroyed it and I haven't been looking for another one since. Basically because I am not fond of mini vans, which returns me to my MAV or MAW.

That one was my choice. The manufacturer called it a Suburban. I called it Herbie. Herbie drove himself and did not react well to people he didn't like. He would try and drive himself off the side of the road if he didn't like the driver. He didn't much care for my former spouse which is one of the reasons that Herbie has travelled on. I guess it's okay since it cost me $40 to $5o to fill him up when gas prices were low and I couldn't have afforded to fill him up last summer. I still miss him, however.

One day I took 14 small children (and probably the dog) to free school lunch and then to see X-Men at the local theater in Herbie. I used to joke that my perfect car would be a bus. Little did I realize how true that really was!

Herbie was big and got lousy gas mileage, although the 14 to 15 mpg was considered good for a vehicle that size. He also like to break down - OFTEN - practically from the day I got him. That is the other reason that Herbie has moved on. Still, there was room for people, pets, camping equipment and a good deal more in his bowels. After all, he carried 14 children and probably more than once and carried me and my brood around - including D.O.G. - regularly. When I was expecting my youngest I kept Herbie's seat all the way back and my stomach still hit the steering wheel.

I'm not sure I could have fit the mass of my hulking pregnant body behind the steering wheel of a mini van.

Mini vans are more fuel efficient if you want to carry people. I don't have anything against them. In fact, I find the mini van brigade quite amusing! I think I'll keep my eyes open for a good giggle more often!