Bryce had a love of boards as you know. He decided he wanted to make his own longboard because he has a lot of Fife blood in him and wanted to save money and make it his. He had a few rough starts and failures but he persisted and finally had some boards that he really liked. We had a home teacher that was wonderful to always visit us and encourage Bryce and Dallin to get their Eagles. He took them flying in their first plane rides for aviation merit badges, etc. When Bryce showed Dave ( our home teacher) the long board, he offered to spray the board with the lacquer because he owns a woodworking shop. It turned out really nice and they were both happy with the results. Bryce promptly gave it the name Oatis which was his nick name that he gave himself and used for a lot of things ...he liked to name things. He loved that board. Bryce went to South Africa and his longboard, Oatis was left in his spot in the garage. I loved seeing it there and being reminded of Bryce. When Bryce got home, all the things that happen with family and get togethers, etc. happened and Oatis continued to hang. Then came the snow and snowboarding. Bryce never got to ride Oatis again, as far as I know. We continued to leave it hanging. One day, I got an impression that I needed to give Oatis to Willy. I knew he already had one of Bryce's boards so I dismissed it. The thought continued. I could hear Bryce saying to me...Mom! Give Oatis to Willy. I told Willy I would give him the board in the spring...or summer. I guess that wasn't good enough because one evening Willy came to visit and I knew I had to give it to him then. I cried after he left but I knew that I needed to do it. Willy has never said anything but one day not too long ago when the weather was good, I saw on Willy's facebook a message to one of Bryce's friends ..."Hey Weston...how about us going longboarding?" It made me smile and I think of Bryce when I see guys zooming down the street on a long board with their hair flying behind them.
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