Debra Gwynn and Bruce Gwynn

00:02 My name is Bruce Gwynn and I'm 71 years of age. The date is Monday December 16th, 2019. We're located in Yuma Arizona. My interview partner. Today is Debbie Gwynn and she is my wife of 45 years.

00:23 Good job.

00:26 Hi, my name is Debbie Gwen. My age is 67 today's date is Monday December 16th, 2019 and we are located in Yuma Arizona the name of my interview partner is Bruce Gwynn and I am his wife and a very good one at that.

00:51 So let's start off with you in the beginning. Where were you born? And how did you end up here in Yuma, Arizona in Presque Isle Maine. I'm trying to think of my birthday June 1st 1953 and my father and mother had lived there all their lives on and Katie sear and I think my poor dad was so tired of shoveling snow and he was a Salesman and trying to get his truck out and do all those things. So at the age of six my parents packed up our red convertible and drove out with a little trailer in the back with all our belongings and drove all the way to Yuma, Arizona. It was myself which I am the second oldest my older brother Charlie.

01:45 And Michael and then after my parents moved here with all of us then my mom and dad had another son Patrick. And so that's how we got here. They were tired of the cold and my dad said this is the promised land and why we didn't go to San Diego. I don't know.

02:04 Here in Yuma, and I have been blessed ever since so what did your dad do when he go to your foot? What was his occupation? She started I believe doing Clover Club potato chips salesman. He also did you probably remember better than I am so sorry cuz my dad died at 55, but anyway Clover Club and I think it started with that and then my grandfather was also here and they had an Alantic Richfield gas station on 4th Avenue in Yuma and then my father went and got a position at O'Malley Lumber where he was a Salesman there and also was the foreman of all the construction weather in new residential houses companies in Yuma for very long time until his passing.

02:56 Face when you age of six, you're probably in first grade or did you go to school see there was just one school in yes and went all the way through eighth grade and then on to Yuma high school and started at AWC and 4-year then maybe a semester and transfer to University of Arizona came home. And Matt you got engaged in Forever is history.

03:29 But we can't stop here. Let's talk about let's talk about crane school. What was that? Like, I love school and I had amazing teachers but the one teaches that's that is still in my mind and she passed a few years ago was Margaret price mrs. Price my third grade teacher and so I remember even graduating from eighth grade. She came to her house for a little party and then from high school and was even invited to her wedding. So she was just an all-around beautiful wonderful person or your friends who are your best? Who is your best friend to Crystal long time ago? I'm really old right now. Probably Terry Poole who live down the street Kathy Kovac who was also a neighbor and unfortunately Terry I have no idea where she is Kathy lives in Texas, and we have connected a little bit at the time. I believed I think Hank super cropping.

04:29 Principal there and my parents are very much involved with crane school any fundraisers that we did whether it was a Halloween festival or our big barbecue at the end of the year. We do talent show by my mom and dad were always there supporting us and pretty fun.

04:47 And then you moved on to be a Yuma High criminals, but I'm very proud of.

04:54 And so is involved with school there student council.

04:59 PEP Club Squad French Club part of the keys club which was supposed to be a male-oriented but they let a few of those girls in cuz we were that we always were worker bees so they love that I was involved with Taylor McBride and Patsy at the choir at Yuma High weather in choralaires or just in the choir there and saw a lot of fun memories with people that I graduated with Sean new best friend movie or friends. Yeah, lots of friends. So probably Margaret with Margaret with Ferguson Vicky Pincus, who is now married to Gary Young word. Vicky rang.

05:47 Hi Sherry, Wiggins Parker. Just a lot of people. I wish I could keep going but a lot, so would you guys do together your buddies and we went out and with toilet paper the cutest guy in the you know on the subdivision we were in that's you know, we just had a great time. We are parents were all good friends. And so was really nice that we could have that connection. So your mom and dad were very supportive. Yes. Tell me about your tell me about your mom was always the room mother and my classroom. She stayed home for quite a bit and then went back to work, but I think I was in junior high when she went back to work, but she was always there supporting us and never had to worry about that. You wouldn't be there or helping with classroom or at school or anything.

06:47 And then my mom and dad both got involved with it JC's and Spirits in the community community here about giving back and so that's probably why I married you because I love doing.

07:04 So your dad he was a JC, but he's also a lion Lions Club help people with hearing and eye issues eyesight issues very involved with that very involved with a JC's here, which is a service organization was always putting the parade together every year. That's what he did. Also is Grand Marshal before he passed. I remember every probably Saturday and Sunday going out and painting the bleachers for the rodeo, which was located off of 16th Street 16th Street and Arizona Avenue. So just being involved with all of that. I remember helping cook for all of them that helped that weekend so we could at least feed them lunch. So whatever we had we get in there and cook and do all of that. But I also remember being outside a lot. So whether raking picking up rocks, whatever we had to do to make that

08:04 The rodeo area ready to go. And then sorry there was a group of people always came to town spend time with your house is so we're writers Maxine. Yes. Just I can't remember right now the names I'm not prepared to dick dick has come down for the rodeo and helped wherever they can the Murphy's Take and Maxine Murphy. We always had a lot of I'm in there a lot of rodeo clowns that came and back in the day. They were pretty famous back then cuz I probably I don't think there were a lot so they kind of travel the circuit and we live in a very small little house in the county and we did have a lot of money but we sure would have great barbecue sauce and people would come from all over and we love that and it didn't matter where we lived or what we do.

09:04 We always felt comfortable in our home.

09:07 Your relationship with your dad, but was at like, I love my dad.

09:18 Pretty special

09:23 He died. So young and been sick the last five years and so I'm so blessed that I got to spend that time with him and

09:35 Told each other how we felt.

09:38 Pretty amazing

09:42 He was pretty supportive of You Whitney. He was your buddy.

09:53 And my dad was

09:56 Nothing. My mom didn't care. I didn't love she left us all so much, but she had to Asbury.

10:04 She had her ways and she wanted it her way or the hard way. My dad was just so much like he just was so kind and when he walked into a room, he just lived in his laugh, but they complement each other. They loved each other. They loved all of us. I never felt not locked.

10:27 So I always thought I was felt really good about growing up and never ever feeling like I did I wasn't loved or anything like that.

10:37 So then we got married. We got married and we had one two, three, boys Three Sons tell me about tell me about getting pregnant the first time, no mother. I don't know that I was ready cuz I was really young but I feel like it was just such a beginning of a wonderful relationship with you and our Three Sons.

11:03 Our oldest son was always a free spirit. He he still I mean he has such a positive outlook on life and you just love him because he just illuminate fat and he's always been funny. Sometimes I want to tell him if your lip he's such a good-hearted person and a good dad and husband and such a workaholic. I mean, he puts his whole heart and soul into his work and I'm so grateful that he changed jobs and is now able to spend time with his three girls because I think they missed that for a while so

11:45 Yeah Second Son Second Son. Toby was always pretty much like no I'm not going to do that. His favorite word was no I'm not doing it and I'm really proud of him today. He's he was always very very intelligent.

12:05 Think he could wiggle his nose and things would happen for him. He went on and I think he had some issues for a long time. Didn't know where you belong to what was going on turned out that he is gay. I love him for that. I accept him. I'm so happy that he is comfortable in his own skin today. I'm so happy that Sam's coming to his life. They got married and what supportive family Sam's family is to both of them as well as says they embraced Toby when he moved back east and it's just a fairytale. I'm just so blessed and happy for both of them.

12:44 Our third son. He was a total surprise, which I don't like to say that I believe he was a gift from God. They just kind of brought us back together.

12:57 He has such a has such a good spirit. He he.

13:06 Embraces anyone he needs since he's he's such a good person not that the other two aren't they are but he really is he just kind of brought it all back together. He made our family our family today. He is such a good guy and he was always the one is a little guy that would compliment me. Mom. You look beautiful today or Mom. I love you and I see that in Miller.

13:34 Did that in his youngest who is just a sweet little guy and likes to snuggle and hug and totally looks like his Uncle Toby but tell he's just like his father. So in our in my life today, I'm very blessed with her with our children and their spouses and their life cuz I feel like we

13:58 I think some of our friends don't have that kind of relationship with our kids with their children. And so I'm very blessed in that. Yeah.

14:07 And you say he brought us back together?

14:10 And the first five years of my sobriety things are tougher on the house for you to put up with me talk about that. I just felt like I never knew how you were going to wake up each morning. I didn't know if you'd be happy or sad or it being your fault my fault or friends fault because Ryan was kind of around during that time.

14:37 I didn't know what I was supposed to do to make you happy. I've since learned that I can't make you happy got to make yourself happy and it comes from within and I always felt like I was very much where the glass was always have full full and I feel like I have my dad's outlook on life in that respect because I always felt like everyone was born with a gift in life and they had something to give back. So I just didn't know what to do in our relationship because I felt like you were so sad and so unhappy and I was trying to make it happen it wasn't working. And so, you know, finally I reached out to my sister-in-law Kara and said to her again. I just can't do this anymore and course, she tells your brother Howard and that escalates didn't cause your dad and then your dad.

15:37 Says I want I want you to come and I want to talk to you and all in all it turned out to be so wonderful because I believe that after my father died.

15:48 Your dad became my father because he was such a man full of wisdom and courage and love and I always felt so I was felt comfortable around your dad and it was felt like no matter what happened.

16:03 He was going to be there and he supported no matter what decision was made because he loved you, you know, and so anyway, you went off to treatment and long story short. You're going to save the whole world voicemail left about so, you know, we kind of went through all of that and then it's kind of like things didn't change you were still trying to save the world, but not yourself.

16:29 And then took a good look and I think I told you that it's no better now than it was five years prior and that I didn't know what I need to know what you needed to do or what I need to do but things really hadn't changed. I think I got the courage because started going to Al-Anon and not that we're all mean cuz we're not but I think I started getting more confidence in myself and feeling a lot better about what was going on and just felt like our relationship with our kids was real important and we are important and we need to try to make it work cuz I think sometimes easy way out is just not trying I'm walking away and I'm not that kind of person. I don't think you are either so

17:17 I know what else with that question. So then we opened the Garden Cafe your Mom and Dad or Mom and Dad had the property that has been in the family since your grandfather. Yes sanguinetti, and they wanted to do something with the property and make it more viable. And so approach to without me at that meeting. And you said oh we can do this and we can do it. She's just home. She can do it having my third child. That was very young.

17:54 She can do it just got lots of time. So you came home and said guess what? We're starting a restaurant I go. Oh my word. No anyway, long story short. We started the Garden Cafe and we have been in business for 35 years, which I'm very proud of

18:12 When we first started your mom and dad were around a lot, which I loved your dad would walk through the property and would walk through the kitchen to get coffee and it was great because he was there and I respected him and loved him and he had such a presence that he made everyone feel really good and it was good for me because it was very supportive of myself. And you and Garden Cafe your mom would walk in there ready with jump, but she she I loved her and I felt like that I got to know her a lot better and I feel I felt like she embraced me and would ask me questions about you know, what can I do with this situation or that and ask him my advice which was a really big deal with your mom and I think we really became very close and pretty much good friends. I think she respected me as I did her always, but I know towards the end before she passed but I felt like I could go

19:12 When there and offer her comfort and she felt she felt good when I was around so for that I'm I'm I'm glad that I was able to do that in and not back or be afraid of her cuz I think I just went on full full force with that. We I think I'm really blessed in our presence here in the Yuma Community because I feel like we made it their friends and not only employing people but giving back to our community which so important and we have embraced all of that. It's been really such a good experience when changing event for the world. Even though I say, oh my gosh can't believe we're still doing this our family the Garden Cafe family have become our family.

20:02 Our customers have become our family because we have so many that repeat business training four times a week and I'm just grateful that we kind of said we're going to do this and help them cuz I think your parents are smiling down from heaven saying wow, they're still doing it. Don't know how long I'm going to do. It might have to carry me out in the box, but I'm still I'm still here and we have such a great staff and you know, they do anything for you and I and so for that I'm really thankful.

20:39 So what were the what were the toughest times with the restaurant?

20:45 Well, I think the toughest times were people who

20:51 I felt like I didn't really maybe respect our policy or what we wanted to do or how we wanted to treat people. Not that they were mean or anything but I don't really think that they were good fat and so forth at some of those of course have moved on but I think as I've gotten older and more confident in myself, I feel like I you know, we want things a certain way nothing is perfect. But we want to be respectful and kind to others we want them to treat us like we want to be treated and that's my most important thing their customer service and quality. So we have great recipes and we have great people who follow those and we are when I say we I mean you and I bet I am very much involved in how things are and just want to do a good job.

21:46 I want people happy. I want them to come in with a smile and maybe they're kind of grumpy when they come in. Sometimes kids are hungry, but then I want them to just be so happy when they leave and they do and then other people come in and all we're looking for so glad that you're here and we love it. And I say we're glad that you're part of our family and we love you too. So I think we have a unique business and I think we're part of him is history. So for that I I feel glad I feel good. What's the difference with your stuff? And so the first four years when I turned over like 50 60% what's the difference? I think that then I was really young. I probably didn't know what I was doing because you're you know, I was I never had any kind of training, but I knew that I hope that I was the kind enough person to know what we needed to do to make it to make it work and so now

22:46 I have staff there that I think really want to be there. They love us. They love the Garden Cafe. They love you. And I they love our family they love their jobs. So for that we've been pretty blessed with all of that.

23:02 So now you're a grandmother. I know I am a mother of Five Daughters granddaughters and one grandson. I love them.

23:18 I do you first Mia.

23:22 Mia she I think she is very much a reserve type personality. I don't think she's shy at all. I see her just shine around her friends that she's so close to

23:36 She has such a gift beautiful talent, but I think she doesn't she's very humble about it. I think that she's coming into her own where she speaking out more and like, you know, I need to have my friends and I need to do this and that but I think she also loves to sing and play, you know, the guitar piano and I think she's a natural. She just has his gift and we'll see where it goes with her, you know, being a junior this year. We'll see where she goes off to school. I know her dad's very supportive of her, but I also know that when she tells him enough he will step in and say to Gretchen or daughter-in-law, you know, they have their life and we had ours and we need to respect that and I think that as Mia gets older and goes along show.

24:31 Coming to our own. I don't know where that will lead her. But I think she will try to follow her dream. And you know, I think she's pretty brave in that respect and adventuresome. So, yeah, then we have sweet little Kylie who is very shy but performs and loves what she does writes music from her heart and just is such a huggabug. She loves you. Probably you are her favorite and her whole life, and I'm so I love that because she I think has always kind of been in the middle in the middle and she never wants to cause any trouble. She's an excellent student so intelligent and smart.

25:18 Girls had such a caring and big heart and she'll go far if ever she decides to she will find her own and reach out and it will come I think she's just really still shy but she's she's getting there and she is really a star in my eyes. I look a little while ago who is just like her father to be a little sassy, but sweet sassy. She I think the sky's the limit for her. She just kind of holds the whole group together. She's the glue. She I see the older two kind of going off on their own a little bit and she gets right in the middle of there. Like, you know, I know I'm younger but I'm going to be a part of this sand and go from there.

26:08 She I think is very close to her. Mom and her dad as well. But I bet I see that relationship with them is really strong. And I think that's important for Gretchen because of the situations in her life with her mom and dad. So I think that's a really kind of good thing and I think Lila will always take care of her mama, which is really sweet. You know. Okay the other three the babies we have Parker Gwen who is

26:41 A Sweet Child. I think probably I relate to her. I think her personality is very different than my personality. She is. I think she's a hard worker. She does not want to disappoint because I see that in her mom. I mean with her mouth and mother and father.

27:00 She wants to be the best of the best and she does have that kind soul. But she's also kind of looking ahead she wants to see you know, what she can do to I guess prove herself and maybe that's an oldest child where they do that to be a cheevers overachievers leaders. Whatever that I'm really I think she's just going to be a I mean she is a sweetheart and she has a kind heart and you might have to dig a little bit to get her to open up to you. But she's really Sweet Child O Mine, I look at little Evie. Oh my gosh keeps us on our toes. She has such a smile and such a great personality that she just Embraces everyone but you can be a little stinker. She like this kind of caught a little bit of trouble once in awhile not anyting.

27:57 Awful that just typical little girl, but she's a middle child. So to me that's kind of goes with all of that. But you look at her and she just can't you just open she makes me feel so good now when she's real smiling and happy I look at her like my father but when she pulls a little cute little stuff, I don't think my dad ever did that made me my mom but not my dad but I just such a fun and the teachers adore her and she has lots of friends and all of that and then little Miller man are Prince. I feel like he's just like his dad. He is such a kind soul is so sweet and so loving and you know, he's around all these girls and he just comes out of it that he can be his own so he can get tough, but he really is just a Sweet Child very sweet little guy.

28:54 So you talked about giving back to the community?

29:00 What what what does that like? What are you what are you what do you do with me quit raising your hands and feet and I said, oh my gosh, I do I do that. But I feel like if we can, you know, we meaning you and I bet if I can help in any way whether supporting you our children our community. I'm going to dhaliwal do it. I think, you know, I'm part of this community now, I've been here for a very long time and it's brought me a lot of Happiness a lot of satisfaction a lot of giving back in just feeling good just because you know, I have a passion for that in my heart and I want to continue to do that as long as I can and I think that we make a really good team in that respect because I think we complement each other and we might not always agree, but we are

29:59 Has come to a nice middle middle thing middle ground and kind of make it work out great. So I'm blessed that I married you because who knows where I'd be.

30:15 Thank you Dad for moving us here all the way across country. You know who note.

30:22 So

30:24 Some of these things that you give to and not necessarily give money to its your time and efforts. Let's talk about some of those history. You're not at your not an 80. Not him, but you have involved yourself and in my family's history. Why do you feel that connection? Why do you do that? I mean, you know my family pretty much his back Easter have passed or whatever. You were born and raised here. It's pretty amazing that you've had that history with your grandfather and with your mom and uncles and all of that and it I think it goes way deep so by marrying you and with our children, I think it's important to continue all of those things that

31:16 You know in that in the past and Forestry I think is gone to me too. And I look at Ross too. And I think it's gotten to him and Brian's come along. You know Toby's on the East Coast but it's all important to know where we came from. What's what are passion is and I think our community is our passion my passion. So I don't know what else to say with that that we've gotten involved with a lot of things and whether I get you involved or you get me involved for kind of there for each other which spot so the Heritage not the Heritage but the the harvest dinner become a big event.

32:00 That had nothing to do with history just had to do with agriculture with what put do you into that when I met you you had to feed yard, which I never liked the smell. Anyways, I'm kind of glad you're not still there. Then you got involved with Agriculture and it just embraced our family because you know our kids grew up in that kind of relationship. And then I think a lot of their friends are off parents were from the agriculture community in go deep deep down and also agriculture is always been giving in our community where

32:36 You know, it's made our community. I feel like it's it's kind of the number one and two magima what it is that we grow so much of the leafy greens Etc tons of vegetables here. I think it's a community that reaches out to each and every one here as well as other places, but we're getting my we're not Salinas. We're not any of those other places that they grow vegetables where community that sticks together loves each other and braces. Not that they don't there, but I think we just have that passion and support and I wanted to be involved with that. So when that started I was like the first one to come to raise my hands, so then we did a celebration of agriculture in Yuma and become just amazing.

33:29 So if you were to wrap up your life here.

33:34 The highs and the lows with what is there anything you change that you've done? I don't think so. I mean I was trying to remember back and maybe when I was younger, but I feel like I've had a really enriched full life. There's not anything that I regret. I mean, I think that things that we do to us makes us a better person and build our character. So it's important to experience and go through those things that we have to do to become better and you know what to give back and I guess be joyful. I love that word and that would love others that Joy be joyful and happy.

34:15 I know.

34:17 What are the things that really stick out your lifetime that we would put down as a top?

34:25 Start with the top three. What's the most important thing in your life time that you look at back on his way. Wow.

34:34 You have to say probably my family our family because wow.

34:41 Pretty last pretty amazing. I wouldn't have it. Any other way. I mean it to spend the greatest and God's the second thing. I don't know.

34:54 I don't I don't know I think you know to have family come first is chess so important and

35:03 And and so I really I don't know what else I think just family has been the most important.

35:11 The Garden Cafe is sometimes termed as one of the better restaurants in Yuma.

35:17 Guess how about that has been pretty blessed tremendous success because number one you can't duplicate that. Anyway anywhere I think we have an amazing staff and such great customer. I mean, how could you not be successful with all of that? So I think we have a great support and you know, it's so cute cuz a couple came in last week and they go we are so glad you're still here because we've been we haven't come in like three three years and you're still here and I said we're still here and they're going to carry me out in the box, but still here.

36:07 So I'm going to push you a little bit.

36:11 You have been integral in this.

36:15 Blow Your Horn let's hear why you quite what what what do you do if your key piece of makes this all work? So well, I think that having people around who have the same goals maybe or feel that they are part of what we do has made me successful that they I don't know I have that support and I it's just great. So I think for that that's just all-around has made everything, you know, it doesn't take just one person. Like we always talk about takes a village takes each and every one of us to do what we need to do to be better. And so I feel that I've really gotten better because of everyone and everything around me.

37:02 It takes a leader.

37:04 Yeah, but it takes sometimes more than one leader, you know can't do it by yourself. So yeah, I don't know just it's been an incredible experience. I think I used to say that. Oh my God should like to like just go home for a while, but I can't do that because I think we've invested so much love and so much time and energy that I love that and it and we've been able to I think help our community in that way by by giving back through the restaurant through us through whatever.

37:42 I miss her a third thing.

37:44 I can't think of a third thing.

37:47 The first two are pretty. Anything in the third position. I don't think so. I brought friends. Well, yeah, but I think this family is comes friends. So and I think that when you say you have 50,000 friends or a thousand friends, you don't have it that many friends. You have a few friends who are quality in your life. Who love you no matter what who are there no matter what and those are the people you reach out to an are supportive of you and I'm just going to West couldn't I wouldn't have it any other way.

38:28 Anything you want to add the end of this?

38:32 No, I love you. And thank you and thanks for being a part of a big whole part of my life. Yeah.

38:46 I'm not going to have such a nice.