Remembering Bruce on his Birthday!

These pictures are of Bruce, my little brother and the one we named my son, Bruce, after. At 16 years old, he died in a car accident. So young, with so many life experiences unlived.

Thank goodness we know that we have a loving Heavenly Father, who orchestrates the big and little things that happen in our lives. While I miss Bruce, even to this day, I have been comforted these many years by the knowledge that it wasn't random, that Heavenly Father's hand was in the events that took Bruce from our daily lives, but thankfully not from our eternal lives.

It was with sadness that I realized that I would marry and have children that would have no memories of Bruce. Bruce was a good kid, who tried hard to honor his parents and do what he was taught. He was an athlete, playing every sport he could and doing well at them. That is something he and my son, Bruce, have in common--a love of sports and a willingness to work hard and take the knocks that come with them. Bruce played the baritone beautifully, not embarrassed to be a band geek. He was a good harmonizer (ridiculous, I know). We'd be riding in the car and if we were listening to something on the radio or singing, he and my brothers would harmonize. At the time it bugged me to death. I can remember saying, "Mom and Dad, make them stop harmonizing. It's bugging me." The response would be "Don't be bugged." Now, as I think back, I realize they were good harmonizers and I wish Bruce could be a part of the singing that takes place during get-togethers sometimes. The harmonizing still happens.

Someday, Travis and my kids will get to meet Bruce. Someday, I'll get to see him again. I'm thankful for that knowledge. I'm also thankful that Bruce was the kind of person I'm glad to have my son named after. I love you and miss you Bruce. I'm so glad you're in our family!