Celebrating the life of Uncle Bruce

We found ourselves on a last minute trip to California over the weekend due to the passing of my uncle Bruce. Bruce was my dad's younger brother. He had some difficult challenges and trials in his life so my family took comfort in the fact that his suffering is over and he is in a happier, more peaceful place. I was grateful that we were able to join my parents and attend his funeral.

It was an intimate gathering with only family and a few close family friends. Because of Bruce's struggles in later years, it was wonderful to recognize and remember some of his positive qualities. He truly was a very giving person. I remember waking up at times to find a box of citrus fruit or bagels on our doorstep that he'd surprised us with. I remember him bringing exotic flowers and handmade bath salts. I also remember as a child watching him give free massages at our family events to the adults on his massage table. Bruce was athletic-he once was the only American chosen to compete on a prestigious Swiss cycling team. He had unique ideas and ways of thinking. He was very interested in science and numerology. He knew more about the Chinese Zodiac calendar than I know about most things. He used to call me Natty-Goats because I was born in the year of the goat/sheep. We always had lots of funny stories about uncle Bruce as kids-he was a real character in our family and he is missed. 

The whole Stucki family. Bruce is on the very top left, dad is next to him. 

Because we were going all the way to California, we decided that we would make a trip out of it. It was a short trip and a long way to go but, we made the most out of it and had some fun along the way. We thought that breaking up the long drives to and from with a couple of stops would make it easier on Emma (and therefore, all of us). First stop was Las Vegas where we indulged on lots of yummy food and cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory, toured the Belagio Gardens, and did a little bit of shopping. 

We made it to Murrietta, CA that night and my aunt and uncle were kind enough to let us stay with them. It was so nice to visit with them and their cute kids. Emma was especially drawn to my cousin Sylas who is just a couple years older than she is. That boy is like the energizer bunny on caffeine! We had so much fun watching him bounce around and listening to him tell us all kinds of funny stories.

The next morning we woke up early so that we could show Emma the beach for the first time. The Oceanside beach was about a 45 minute drive from where we were staying. It was an overcast morning and the rain just ended as we got out of the car to head down to the water. The ocean was beautiful against the clouds and gray sky. Because the sun wasn't really out, the people weren't either. We had the beach almost to ourselves at first but, the ocean was full of surfers because there were beautiful waves in the distance.

Emma wasn't too sure about the beach at first! I tried to take off her shoes and she was a little disturbed by the sand under her feet. My dad helped her warm up to it-he walked her around and showed her how to play in the sand with the toys we brought. Soon she was out playing in the waves with daddy. At one point, we found a lobster stuck between a couple of rocks that had been washed up by the tide. Sam picked it up and after some observation, we returned it to the ocean.

I think Emma's favorite part was when we left the beach and walked the pier. She liked looking down at the water from the railing and looking at the birds. We watched the fisherman waiting for a bite-even watched one reel in a little mackerel. Halfway down the pier, we stopped at a little stand to buy bag of these interesting wheel chips-Emma probably ate most of the bag. She even stole one back from a bird. Emma was fascinated by all of the joggers on the pier and eventually insisted on jogging along with them! She shouted "I'm running too!" as she chased after them. 

I've always loved the ocean and it was a wonderful experience to share that beautiful place with Emma. I love giving her these experiences and memories. It's something I will never forget and I'm already excited to take her back again and again as she gets older.

Later that day, we attended the funeral for my uncle. I got to sing with my sweet cousins, hear stories and words of comfort given by my dad and uncles, and reconnect with family that I haven't seen in too long. I felt the spirit as I listened to their testimonies of Heavenly Father's plan and love for each of us. We laughed, shed tears, gave hugs, and talked. I'm grateful that our family got to be there to feel that love and comfort.

We started our journey back that same day and stayed a night in Barstow, CA to break up the drive. The next morning, we left after sub-par hotel breakfast and headed for home. A little ways into our drive, mom mentioned a the Calico Silver Mine Ghost Town that she had visited once before and we decided it would be fun to see it for ourselves! We pulled off the freeway and took an hour or so to wander around the quiet ghost town. We looked through the old buildings and even climbed up to peer into the mine. It was a fun little addition to our adventure.

Emma was such a trooper on the drive-even when we got stuck before the AZ gorge for a couple of hours in standstill traffic! At one point she kept insisting that she wanted a carrot. When we stopped for lunch, I was happy to see that a smoothie shop had them on the menu. Emma kept busy with our portable DVD player, toys, books, LOTS of snacks, and plenty of chit-chat throughout the journey.

 It was a whirlwind of a trip and we did it all in three days but, it was one for the books. We saw some new things, visited people we love, and made some memories. If you know me, you know I love an adventure-especially with the people I love. Traveling with a toddler has it's challenges but, I will be forever grateful for the memories we make together on these trips.