My Uncle Scott

(Scott is standing between my mom & me)

I mentioned in our November post, Thanksgiving Day 2012 will be a day I will never forget.  It was the last day I saw my uncle Scott.  I had no idea at the time that it would be.  We weren't even planning on going to California for Thanksgiving this year.  I had talked with my parents through most of the year about having them come to Arizona for Thanksgiving so we would only have to have one big holiday trip with the kids.  I think it was sometime around August that I just really started feeling like we needed to go to California for Thanksgiving regardless of whatever inconvenience it might be.  I just had a really strong feeling that we needed to go be with our family there.  Thanksgiving and Christmas in California are really the only times we see Scott, unless there's a family wedding or something.  I guess that's just what happens when you grow up and move out of state, you see your family so much less.  I kind of hate that.  Anyway, Scott was at my grandparents' house for the family celebration and so were we.  I got to  meet his beautiful girlfriend, Stacia, and talked with both of them briefly, but feeding and chasing kids at a family event really cuts down on your visiting time, especially to anyone not sitting right next to you.  I remember hugging Scott.  I remember saying goodbye and telling him it was good to see him.  I was rushing to say goodbyes and give hugs to everyone.  Did I say, "I love you?"  I don't remember.  I probably didn't, but I hope so badly that I did.

I was woken from a nap by my phone ringing on December 30th.  My mom was trying to tell me something but I couldn't quite understand, I was hearing words but they weren't making sense.  I thought maybe I was still dreaming.  She was telling me that Scott had passed away that morning.  He was only 39, 10 years older than me... and now he was gone.  Death has never really touched my family so the whole experience was new for me.  I feel so fortunate to be training for a marathon right now, so I'm running A LOT.  That gave me plenty of alone time to think and pray.  Joseph let me talk about it whenever I needed to, which turned out to be a lot in the beginning, and held me when I cried.  It turned out that Scott and Stacia told the family around Christmas that they were planning for a June wedding.  Scott called my brother about a week before he passed and talked with him for about half an hour.  Davey said Scott sounded so happy and was so excited telling him he was going to start ring shopping.  Scott had so much life ahead of him, it's hard to see it cut short.  I'm so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that I know that death is not the end.  We will live again and families can be together forever.

(Our Family)

(Two of the most amazing people the world has ever known,
my Grandmother & Grandfather McCook)

One of my favorite memories of Scott happened when I was living with my grandparents a few months before I moved up to BYU. I was in the kitchen with Scott and he was washing out the dog bowl. He was using the regular kitchen scrub brush that we all washed our dishes with too. I was totally grossed out and couldn't help but say something. He laughed and said, "I'm using soap. Soap kills germs" I think he even added something like, "It's not gross, it's clean." Thanks for teaching me the basics, Scott. I still think of that every time I wash something gross.

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The following are just a few memories and words shared by my brother and my uncle Bob, which will help you see what a wonderful person Scott was, and how much we all love him.

"Uncle, roommate, confidante, soul-blade master, fashion coach, weightlifting coach, hairdo coach, spiritual advisor, relationship advisor, motivator/confidence-builder, friend, brother I never had. Best BRUNCLE a guy could ever wish for. I love you, Scott. See you soon, buddy.
"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." --John 14:2" Written by Davey Morin

(My mom and her siblings)

"In loving memory of Scott David McCook June 20, 1973 - December 30, 2012

It's hard to fathom that I am even writing these words... What do you say when a life is cut short in it's prime? Neal Diamond called it "bein' done too soon" I guess that sums it up as well as anything.

Scott you were friend, brother, defender and heckler. No one was so quick to mock or poke fun at those you loved; but equally quick to lend a hand or an encouraging word. I will never forget newspaper sword fights, army men and legos, taking a van load of your grade school friends out on a TP raid for your 11th birthday, watching an endless assortment of Kung Fu "B" movies, your football years at Bonita, USC games, the Discovery Channel, the love of football and all things related to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

You were the determined happy child who grew to be the gentle hearted giant. Thank you for being there for me and my family. Your love, kindness and caring for them will never be forgotten. I was always comforted to know that you were in my corner; especially at those times when my kids needed another voice to help them sort through the realities of life (and understand that their parents weren't just crazy).

I'll miss your laughter (often at my expense), sharp edged humor, your love of the natural world, and watching you find creative ways to hide your inner geek. I love you and look forward to a great future reunion on the other side." Written by Bob McCook

I just could not make this post without including this list.  My uncle Bob's Top 10 Reasons why Scott McCook is the most interesting man in the world:

10. He has more shoes in his "casual closet" than most people own in a lifetime.

9.   The fact that he has a casual closet.

8.   He put the "man" in Manicure.

7.   He had more dance moves than Michael Jackson and Kevin Bacon combined.

6.   He has 4000 friends on Facebook without having his own profile.

5.   His account at Nordstrom was so large that VIP customers are now referred to as Scott McCooks.

4.   When they learned of his death the watch, hat, and shoe industries immediately called for a national day of     mourning.

3.   Chuck Norris breathes easier knowing that he is finally #1.

2.   Because regardless of what it was, Scott made it look good.

1.   He had the greatest heart of all and shared that heart with all who were fortunate enough to know him.

We love and miss you, Scott.