Growing up, I looked forward to every summer as our Family would make our way up to Clayton to visit Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Emily. That’s where the adventure would only begin. We often traveled to South Lake Tahoe, Reno, San Franc-so, and many beautiful places throughout Northern California. Ones to those places that holds special memories for me is a water park we’d camp out at called Manteca. Not a care in the World kind of years, provided by my wonderful Aunt and Uncle. Those were some of the greatest memories of my young life. Another that comes to mind is crossing Donner Summit in the middle of winter. Uncle Jim drove us through quite the snowstorm that trip, and pulled over to let me play in the snow. I jumped into a snow bank and disappeared. Hahaha. They dig me out rather quickly, followed up by an all out, no holds barred… snowball fight. We then ran into a young man named David who was my neighbor back home. Small world. He and I had a blast in South Lake Tahoe while Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Em, and my Mother and Father had some kid free fun at the tables. Another memorable bank of memories comes from all of the Holidays. It was always heart warming to see Jimmy and Emily pull up in their Lincoln Towncar. They had a special magic to their presence that made me feel, “my Family is here”. Joyous memories that will live on forever all of my days. I used to LOVE to watch Aunt Em laugh uncontrollably, sometimes to the point of crying when someone farted. It happened every Thanksgiving, and every Christmas if my memory serves me correctly. That was her achieved heal, poot poot!  Hahaha. The summertimes spent in Clayton exploring Mount Diablo are some more fond memories. My Dad and Jimmy were truly best friends. Jimmy introduced my Mother and Father you see. My Father and Jimmy both worked at Shell Oil Company for many years and became close friends who (through Uncle Jimmys matchmaking skills) became Family when my Dad and Mom were married at “Wee Kirk O’ the Heather Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. My Mom was Uncle Jimmys Sister, and my Dad loved her more than anything this world had to offer. They loved married for many wonderful years. They were truly Blessed to have one another. When my Mother passed, Uncle Jimmy was standing at my side. When my Father passed, he did the same. His loyalty to family was second to none, and that was crystal clear. After my Fathers passing, I used to keep in contact with Uncle Jim, and we’d talk every few weeks or so. We’d have some laughs and talk often about my folks. He and Emily would always tell me how they missed my Mom and Dad, and tell me funny stories about them I was not privy to as a young man. Top secret laughs, if you will. The loss of Uncle Jim and Aunt Em hit me directly in the heart. My eyes are welled up as I type this out. Thank you both for everything. Truly. I know you’re back with my folks again, and that brings a peace to this loss. Thank you for always being a light to a damaged kid, and thank you for always loving me as you did. Until we meet again. Your Nephew, 

- Scott Dalgleish