Thinking of you

These pictures I wanted to add again, the things you loved to do and participate in : Football, dances, scouts, college and college life and church!!! You had so many friends in Winder and all over in church and at college.
I just remember well, the frequent calls home to talk to me! Usually involved a question, favor and always an "I love you Mom"
Thank you sunshine!

We all miss you Ricky, anytime we are together, we miss seeing you.
I know you must be there, just for a short time even, to join in, So many things have happened, I feel you must know about. Our family continues to grow, Erin and Christy really contributed! And now Mike and Lacey will soon have a boy...
The top picture shows Rich and Caroline's children and their posterity-- all your cousins!
There's Facebook that has many of your friends, they still remember you and mention you <3
Happy happy 39th Birthday Ricky!!!!

Summer 2014- You have been in my thoughts

Ricky, you have been in my thoughts and I've felt you near. Thank you. To know that you visit and check on me and your brothers and sisters is so comforting. I know sometimes that feeling brings tears to my eyes...but now I recognize that they are an awareness of you and your love for our family. Do your work, teach my family and follow our Savior dear son. I love you. Mama

Feb 28, 2013 Memories

Rick at 19 years

Hello Ricky,  Although I always miss you, this year has been better.  Maybe it is the posts here on the blog. I don't know. I do know know that as I work out of and in the home, go to the Temple and serve God....somehow, I am at peace and I am better. I am pretty sure that you are too, because you don't have to worry about me. Your brothers are growing up to be fine men and your sisters, lovely women. They are all caring of each other and of Dad and I and we are blessed. I love to go visit  Erin and Christy and their children! My talks with your brothers are fun!! So much love I send to you!!! ---Mama

Rick and Erin 1981

The family 1994

It is the last day of  October. November is one  of the hardest months for me. It is the last time that I saw Ricky- thanksgiving in Nov 1997. We spent the week together, talked and laughed. Rick took his brothers to go get ice cream. I took all of them to Atlanta to one of my favorite places that costs very little money - to the Fernbank Science Museum and Planetarium. I thought everyone would like the indoor planetarium show (I love it!) Mike was too wiggly and restless, so i took him out to walk in the museums woods. In not too long Erin and Matt came out too. I began to wonder about Rick and Sam...When it was time, we all walked to meet them coming out of the arena. We waited till every straggler came out......then I went in to find Rick and Sam sound asleep. what a successful outing!!! It is good to remember the silly and funny things.

2-28-2012 Till we meet again...

Hi Ricky, 
.....you used to call pretty often- I always loved hearing your voice, and then you'd ask for money, or for me to send you something, or ask some advice. Since 1998 I've heard you a few times, laughed with you about funny things I'd remember, and felt a few hugs, when life got almost unbearable. Thank you son for remembering.
....I pray for you, occasionally I tell people about you. but no one will ever know what it was like to be your mom.When you wanted a driver's license sooooo bad and we had no money, when you came home from a Stake fireside to tell me how much you felt the spirit there and how your testimony grew, and your great pleasure at going to State with your football team.
....Then there were those times I had to get in between you and Erin - to stop a fight, or when I had to tell you how you should NOT throw your brothers into the back seat of the van -just because you should get the shotgun seat. All the driving -all the sitting and waiting outside the football stadium and stake dances. Many times I split the younger kids with Dad and they'd wait with me.
....I remember the million times I sang - I am  a Child of God to you, The million times I sang -You are My Sunshine....to you.
Love , mom

Flowers for you.

Taxes

It was around this time 14 years ago that Ricky called me and we chatted, and he said... "so Mom, I need to get my taxes done..." I said yes you do Rick! He said "so mom, if I send you everything, you will do them for me -right?" I said Rick, you are going to school for Accounting...you can do this very easily. It is a simple form. I know mom...but you will help me -right? No, I told him that when I was in college... I did all my own taxes... But, I could see him, through the phone, smiling and saying "come on...please mom", which he then vocalized. So I said no, BUT I will help you over the phone next week. In a week , he was off to Seattle, and in the car accident on the 28th.  
Guess who did the taxes? and not just for that year, but for the next year as well.....