Monday, July 10, 2017

Living the dream: Hello, Fireman Max


"No, Fireman Max!" said Fireman Max, correcting the counselor who had just called him "Max." Dave and I were checking him into the Double H Ranch for five days of camp, and Max wanted to be sure people knew his proper name.

He had his trusty Fireman Max hat on. He doesn't wear it out much anymore, but when he went off to a different camp the other week and when it came time to head to this one, he wouldn't leave home without it.

"Max, do you really need to wear that hat?" Dave asked as we left the house. 

"YES!" said Max. 

Dave doesn't really appreciate it when Max wears that plastic red firefighter hat these days; he thinks it makes him look juvenile. Which it does. But I'm of the mindset that if it makes Max happy, so be it. At camp, he seems to wear it as both a point of pride and a mark of distinction. 

I continued talking to the nurse about meds while Max and his counselor roamed around. All of a sudden Max was back in a firefighter jacket and pants. The camp had it on hand for shows. "It's FDNY!" Max noted (Fire Department of New York), and sure enough the logo of his favorite firefighters was right there. 

Max looked ecstatic. Dave and I both smiled. Everywhere we walked afterward, people said "Hello, Fireman Max!" and he waved. An hour later, I finally got him to take off the outfit because he looked hot. He watched carefully as his counselor folded it up and put it in his backpack, for safekeeping. 

I'm not sure where Max's firefighter plans will land him. For now, he continues to delight in wearing his dreams on his sleeves. Maybe it doesn't do much for his image as a teen, but it works for the image that Max has of himself in his head. I think that's pretty awesome.

3 comments:

  1. Max,

    I am loving the yellow boots you are wearing for your work and at the camp.

    I too see the "point of pride" and the "mark of distinction".

    At the moment I am watching the Pixar in a Box series. Lots of good lines for Lightning McQueen.

    Everyone at the Double H will remember your name. Perhaps they have names too which you will remember.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so glad he got to have such a fun time at camp!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is how I see it.

    Growing up is not "I can't wear a cute dress with a puffy skirt."
    Growing up is "I'll work hard and save up to buy the cutest dress with the puffiest skirt."

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for sharing!