Rick,
It was wonderful to have met you and to have spent the time together. Not a lot of time unfortunately but it was enough to know you as a person. Many years, at least 40 in my memory that you and I have had a chance to cross paths. Sadly our paths have parted. In parting there has been left an empty space in many peoples lives. I know you though and you would never want to see the tears or have people feel bad for you. You always found a way to bring laughter and light to people. I remember how you teased Grandma, you would bug her and bug her, but it was always light hearted and never mean. But at a moment you would be there for her to take her to her appointment or shopping. Selfishness was not in your manner. You were a giving person that in your way you gave to those that would accept you and your lightness. I told Donna our memories are full of laughter and smiles, I can only see those moments because that is who you were. Yes you were that odd person with so many strange little thoughts and quirks. I know none of us are going to feel complete, I know your children and Donna feel this most of all. Nothing will fill that space and that is the sad part. But as I said you would not want that and you in your funny way would find a way to bring humour and laughter and a smile to those that needed it. Thank you for always being my uncle. Thank you for calling when you could and for taking time no matter what you were doing. I learned from you many wonderful things some of which I did not realize until you left. You made me question right and wrong, you made me think and not just to sit and be idle. You made me smile and you made me laugh. You loved all of us, my kids and my wife. We loved you for who you were and for that our lives are blessed. In life we learn from our experiences or we fail to see. In some cases we fail to see until we are moved or pushed. When I sat in the memorial for you I saw how many people you moved and how many people loved you. I saw tears and felt sorrow. I wished you could be there one more time to see this and to feel our love. But as you left and I realized I missed some things. I needed to change myself. Again you taught me something. I saw what I needed to do, clarity. So Rick thank you for being a wonderful person for loving and caring and sharing your light. As your father said of you, you are a gentleman and wonderful person. As your light has faded I look around and I see that it may have dimmed briefly but shines on in Graham and Hayley and I know that light will burn bright again, as the world they know was shown to them by a wonderful person. That person was you. Love and laughter Rick walk softly on. We love you and we will miss you but we will remember you for who you were.
Cheers
Live life as it passes to quickly. Learn to see through the crap to the beauty on the other side. Not everything is about more. Sometimes less is better.
You have wisdom, compassion, strength, and pure goodness that many people like Rick have shown you along the way. Better still you use that wisdom, compassion, strength and pure goodness to enrich other people's lives. Those that have gone before you, are proud of who you are, whom you have become, and so am I. Some people spend their whole lives waiting for their Epiphany and in this word I refer to the (feeling) not the religious holiday.- Most never experience it. Others (like Rick) don't have to wait for it they make it happen every day of their lives, their lives touch others in a positive way and it leaves tears and packed memorials when they are gone.
ReplyDeleteHis strength was not in how well he repaired a building or performed a task, it was in how well he repaired relationships, and how he performed as a friend, father, husband, brother, son, uncle, grandfather. He outperformed many - many times over!
Thanks Dale. As always your words are wonderful and meaningful.
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