Hugs from Brian

Today is Brian’s third anniversary. It still does not seem real or fair. I keep feeling that “this was not supposed to happen” and fully expect Brian to walk through our door while talking to someone on his cell phone. I think of missed meals, family occasions, Xavier games and holidays and wonder how Brian would react? I think of him watching Patrick and Caroline grow and miss watching Brian trying to corrupt them as much as possible. (Patrick said “Uncle Brian always let me do anything I wanted!")

I keep wondering “what if?” Yet, I know those thoughts will not bring him back. I do have a strong belief that Brian is with us in many ways – most we probably are not even aware of. Yet, there have been too many things that have happened since he has left that are more than just a coincidence. It gives me a great deal of comfort that he is with us somehow. It keeps him alive!

All of the McCormick’s are passionate about keeping Brian’s memorial fund alive. We have (and will continue to hold) several fund raisers for this fund. Brian always wanted a “foundation” that would help keep needy Xavier kids in school regardless of their academic standing. As we all know, Brian attended and somehow graduated from XU. (It has been scientifically proven that he rarely “stood” during his four year tenure/vacation at Xavier.) He always wanted to set up this fund “once he won the lotto”. Well, Brian, you might not have won the lotto. But, your fund has – and will – done at lot of good. To date, your family and friends have:

• Raised over $40.5 thousand dollars

• Donated $28 thousand

• Kept 45 kids at Xavier

Brian, you already have an incredible legacy. These 45 students, and the next 45 students and the 45 after them, will only increase it! That is winning the lotto! Can you imagine the good that will be generated from “Brian’s kids?” It will be marvelous to watch.

My dad gave me the photo of Brian hugging me a few months ago. He called it a “keeper” as it was on April 21, 2001. That is the day my son Patrick was born. It was a truly glorious day for the McCormick family as Brian gave his “patented McCormick head nod” in celebration of his nephew’s birth. (I cannot believe he will be 10 years old in a matter of days.) What I can believe and none of you are surprised to see our Brian hugging it out with his cell phone firmly in his hand!

Both Patrick and Caroline discuss how they miss Brian. We asked them what they miss the most. Patrick said “I miss Uncle Brian’s hugs. He was the best hugger.” What a way to be remembered by!

Some day – hopefully many, many years away I will see my brother again. I fully expect one of Brian’s best hugs ever at that time. It is what I imagine Heaven will be like. It will be glorious. Until then, I will have to make do with his unforgettable memory and the absolute knowledge of his love for me, his family and friends.

Smile today. Think of his life. Laugh at something only Brian could pull off. Know that Brian is with you and hugging you to.

Love and miss you Brian!

Just like Brian, this XU student "came to Xavier refusing to become part of the background".

Dear McCormick Family:

My name is ______ ______ and I am a current freshmen here at Xavier University. I want to graciously thank you for your contribution to the office of the Student Success and Retention. Your contribution has helped me better afford my education here at Xavier. I am currently seeking a degree in Organizational Communications with a minor in Sociology. I also participate in a lot of activities here on campus. I also have a job with Xavier, participate in the Gospel Choir and many service organizations on campus.  I came to Xavier refusing to become part of the background and I do believe I have succefully fulfilled that goal thus far. So, as you can see, not being able to attend Xavier anymore would be a devastation to me. That is why your contribution means that much more to me. I also believe that all too often people are unable to do what they aspire to do because of a lack of finances. So, when I can across someone who is willing to prevent that – I can do nothing but say thank you with the utmost gratitude.

Sincerely,

Name witheld

New York - Flashback

I was in New York City for business this last week and upon return to La Guardia airport by cab I had a flashback to Brian and I going the same route next to the water and over the bridge to the airport during our weekend trip to NYC and it made me smile. I sat there thinking to myself that I could just as easily have cried, but Brian wouldn't have wanted it that way. Brian was the absolute best friend anyone could have and when I think back to our 15 years of friendship I'm truly thankful for the genuine impact he had on my life and for that I smile.

Brian’s birthday, a building implosion and bear hugs

Brian would be 36 today.

Can anyone picture Brian with graying hair? You know he would complain about it and talk about how he “will have to talk to his toupee maker” about getting an upgrade.

Three years ago I called Brian and suggest we go to Xavier’s campus and watch them blow up the Zumbiel plant. It would be the day after his birth day (3/22/08). He asked what time.  I told him “Saturday at 8”. He said “AM or PM?”  I informed him it was in the morning. He quickly said “no” and hung up as per Brian’s habit (it was OK if he did it – but there would be Hell to pay if you did!)  He called me a little bit later and said “yeah, let’s do it.  How many times do you get to see a building blow up?”

Being the good Dad that I am, I took Patrick and Caroline to witness this historic occasion. Patrick at the time was six and Caroline was two. We met Brian around 7:50 AM and got ready for the show. As you can tell from the you tube clip below, it was pretty cool (look for me in my yellow jacket around 1:10 mark and Brian briefly in his brown jacket at 1:24):

Zumbiel Plant Implosion

The "booms" were fantastic and all four of us kids loved it. Patrick and Caroline asked us to “do it again Dad!”  We then decided to go to the “Sugar & Spice” restaurant for breakfast. We all had a great meal and he hummed throughout the meal.  Brian thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his nephew, niece, and brother.  He even “peasant stocked” me (paid for the bill) when I took Caroline to the bathroom.  Brian said this was “one of his best birthday’s ever!” He kept saying “how cool it was to watch the building blow up” (it actually imploded Brian!) and how he loved spending time with his “favorite” niece and nephew. Brian talked at length about having Patrick spend the night. Patrick was very excited because “Uncle Brian will let me play video games and do whatever I want!”

As we left, Brian kept saying “this is a great day” and "what a great birthday".  He was in good shape as he drove off in his Nissan Pathfinder blaring his crappy rap music on his stereo.

I choose to think of Brian’s birthday as a “great day”. Sure, I wish he was here. However, I want to think about how Brian lived. I love thinking about him and wondering how he would react to Patrick and Caroline, Xavier basketball and a host of other topics. I will always remember him saying good-bye that day by giving one of his famous bear hugs to my kids in the Sugar & Spice parking lot. Both my kids say “Uncle Brian gave the best bear hugs.” He did indeed because that is how he lived. My kids will always know Brian loves them. They will also always associate bear hugs and blowing up buildings to my brother! You and I know Brian is quite pleased with these associations!

Love and miss you Brian!

PS. XU could have used a little help last Friday against Marquette!

"Truly made an impact" indeed!

Mr. McCormick:

My name is __________ _________, a senior at Xavier University. I would personally like to thank you for your brother’s scholarship that is for students in need. Through your brother’s scholarship fund it has truly made an impact on my account balance.

Thank you and God bless,

Name Withheld

** There is no doubt Brian has - and is still - "making an impact" on people's lives!  MM **

Short, but sweet

Dear McCormick Family:

 

The Brian McCormick fund has saved me. I am a Bachelor of Fine Arts major with a 3.3 GPA. Your fund allowed me to continue my education here at Xavier. Thank you so much.

Best regards,

Name withheld

THANKS!

I, and all the McCormick’s would to like thank everyone for help making the third annual “have a drink with Brian and 300 of his closest friends” a rousing success. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to raise close to $3,000! (Plus, more checks are coming in via mail.) These funds go directly to needy Xavier students who have no other funds available to stay in our beloved school. Just think, you actually helped keep kids in school through your drinking abilities. You know, Pablo is proud of you!

A special thanks to BJ and the entire Dana’s crew for their unbelievable help. They went over and above anyone’s expectations and God knows they do not need anymore hassles on one of their busiest days of the year. Thank you BJ. We really are grateful for your thoughtfulness and for putting up with Brian for all those years! (Special kudos for bringing back “Pablo’s cheesy tater tots”).

Brian Hicks at Xavier deserves a round of applause for his continued help with the cool XU gear we auctioned off. Again, your continued kindness is amazing.

It was great seeing our family, friends, Brian’s buddies and of course, everyone from the board. It was truly a grand event. We drank a ton of beer, raised a lot of dough and – as according to prophecy – Xavier beat UD once again.

As Master of Reality so eloquently posted on xavierhoops.com: “there was no person, nor is there now no family that has a greater disdain for anything Cryer.” Truer words have never been posted. Somewhere, Brian is smiling and wiping cheesy tater tot stuff off his mouth!

God love you all and see you next year!

The McCormick’s

PS. Here’s what the magic stamp said for those of you who wanted to know –

“Pablo says: No Watermelons!”

Announcing the THIRD annual “Have a drink with Brian (Pablo) & 300 of his closest friends”

Last year was a rousing success. UD was rightfully humbled once again and we raised over $2,100 for Brian's memorial fund that kept many Xavier students in school. Plus, a massive amount of beer was consumed by all.

Pablo’s “feelings” towards UD have been well documented and will be dissected by historian’s/religious scholars for years to come. We thought it would be great to honor Brian by toasting him on this night of nights and drinking a beer or two (or eight) at Dana’s right before the XU/UD game on January 15th. The cost is $10 (plus $1 per beer after that) and you get a cup that magically replenishes itself with beer!

PLUS, BJ WILL HAVE SHOT SPECIALS (notice the plural) for anyone who gets the magical “no watermelons” stamp!

All proceeds will go to “The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund” at Xavier. This fund helps keep financially strapped XU students in school regardless of their academic record. Brian always wanted to start a fund like this. Through your generosity, over 35 students are still in school/graduated thanks to Brian - and we this is only just the beginning! Think of all the good things and how the world will benefit from these future Xavier graduates!

We will soon list some cool Xavier items/gear for auction on E-bay. All will have a buy it now price and make great gifts to those XU fanatics you love, or for the one you love most (you!)

Join us. You know Brian would be (and will be) there! I guarantee it will be a blast and no watermelons will be allowed on the premises!

When: Saturday, January 15th, 2011

Where: Dana Gardens. 1832 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45207, 513.631.BEER.

Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Cups are still good after the game!

What: A night of fun, laughter, and beer before XU defeats UD once again. Honoring Pablo and benefiting "The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund" at Xavier University.

Cost: $10 bucks (or more) gets you the commemorative collector's edition cup that will only increase in value. (Antique Road show recently appraised the 2009 cup at over $11.23!) $1 for each beer thereafter, plus shot specials.

Contact Matt McCormick mmccormick@bahl-gaynor.comat for more information or if you can’t make the party and want a cup/donate.

Special thanks to Brian Hicks at Xavier, Chris Gogul for the facebook invite, and BJ (and everyone at Dana's) for all of their help!

Thanks and God Bless.

"A Christmas Story"

Christmas Eve is a sacred time for most families – especially ours. The McCormick family usually spends it by going to Mass around 5 PM and then having the Gunnoe’s over to my parent’s house around 7. We usually gorge on 873 pounds of food, have a few drinks and exchange some often hilarious white elephant gifts. It is a glorious time honored tradition (like Justin eating a whole loaf of pumpkin bread by himself every year!) and it is usually one of our best days of the year.

One of our favorite things to do every Christmas Eve is watch "A Christmas Story." For the two people in the world who have not seen this 1983 movie, it is about a young boy (Ralphie) and his quest for a Red Ryder BB gun. Many consider it one of the best “Christmas” movies ever and it is shown for 24 hours on TBS.

One of the best scenes revolves around Ralphie's friends Flick and Schwartz debating whether a person's tongue will actually stick to a frozen flagpole. Schwartz ultimately issues Flick a "triple dog dare" and shames Flick into answering their question. Flick's tongue subsequently gets stuck to the pole. Again, this is hilarious family fun that means “Christmas” to the McCormick’s!

One cold day when I was 13 and Brian 8, we brought "A Christmas Story" to 933 Lawnwood Avenue! As many of you know, my parent’s house has wrought iron railings around the front steps. After discussing "A Christmas Story," I told Brian that this was a “movie trick” and there was “no way” someone could get their tongue stuck on a pole. I told him “go ahead and stick your tongue on the railings. You’ll see.”

Brian then walked with quite determination to the railings outside. He waited a second and proceeded to stick his tongue on the cold, iron railing. It was just like the movie. Brian at first thought it did not stick, and like Flick, become rapidly terrified as he realized his tongue was now stuck to the railing! He began screaming and asking for “Helff! Hellf! ” I, of course, laughed and thought this was quite funny. I even went inside and shut the door. As I walked in my Dad said “where’s your brother?” I told him “he's outside and his tongue is stuck on the railing.” He said “what?” in a startled/surprised manner and ran to the door. Brian was squirming on the railing like Flick and wildly flailing his arms. My Dad said “wait right here while I go get some hot water” (Where was he going to go?) I continued to laugh like a big brother should. As my Dad passed me by I realized the most appropriate way to fix this situation – and Brian. I proceed to give Brian a swift and forceful kick in the ass which caused him to move rapidly to his left. His tongue immediately (and my guess painfully) popped off the railing. For some reason he was NOT happy!

My Dad finally came back with the water. He saw Brian’s tongue was off the railing and asked “what the hell happened?” Brian mumbled (while holding his tongue with his fingers) “Matt kicked me off.” My Dad was not pleased and said “why did you do this? Didn’t you know this would happen?” I said “Dad, how did I know he would be that stupid?” It was one of the few times in my Dad’s life that I stunned him into silence. He thought for a few seconds, smiled and said “yeah, I guess I could see your point.” Brian wanted my persecuted for war crimes, but I was never really punished. For some reason, Brian really did not like this story being told too often. But, much later, even he thought it was quite funny.

Brian would love sitting on my parent’s couch and watch this movie. Brian would be surrounded by family and have a drink in one hand, “barf dip” in the other. He would say “now it is really Christmas.” I always think about Brian when “A Christmas Story” is mentioned or appears on TV. It is a great movie whose scenes are now fond Christmas memories for many. I also can’t help to laugh and remember when Brian and I reenacted one of the movie’s best scenes. I just wish I could watch Brian’s reaction one more time as I embarrass him once againb in front of all our family by retelling our “Christmas Story.”

Love and miss you always Brian.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Don’t poke your eye out!

Leslie Nielson, the Naked Gun and his laugh

Leslie Nielsen passed away today. He appeared in some of the funniest movies of all time like Airplane and the Naked Gun trilogy. Brian and I loved these hilarious movies and his subtle, deadpan wit.

His passing brought me back to the premiere of the first Naked Gun movie. Brian and I were excited to watch it and had to sit near the front of the sold out theatre. We loved it and never laughed so hard in our lives! We got EVERY joke and laughed harder than anyone in the theatre. We were repeatedly told to “shut up” – but we could just not help ourselves. Brain and I were simultaneously laughing out loud (real loud), crying and stuffing massive amounts of pop corn into our mouths. We did not even have any beers!

The famous movie critic Roger Ebert called great films “parking lot movies.” Meaning, were you talked in the parking lot and reviewed the great moments of the flick you just watched. I doubt “The Naked Gun” is on Ebert’s best “parking lot movies” list. But, it sure is on ours! (This is what passes for Irish “culture!”)

I can hear Brian’s outlandish laugh in my mind. He is almost crying, than he sighs and says “oh my side hurts” and “Tito, get me a tissue.”

Many would be surprised to say Leslie Nielson was partly responsible for one of your life’s greatest memories. Those who know Brian and I are really not.

Thanks Leslie for making many of us laugh at loud and for helping me remember a great memory of Brian. It is great to hear his mischievous laugh once again. Think of him laughing when you watch the following:

The Naked Gun Trilogy's funniest moments