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.....

A Variety of Ricky's Activities

Ricky really loved basketball too! I asked him one (or many) times why he didn't join the Winder team....and he said if he played for a school team he wouldn't be allowed to play in church sports.. and I want to have a sport that I can just enjoy with the church guys.

Wow! Sometimes the guys just hung out together at the dances...they must be about 15 yrs old here.

Rick was 17 here and this girl asked him to take her to her school dance...They had a great time!
I love seeing him dressed up in a suit!

This is Rick's scout troop--they had great leaders...I think almost everyone in this picture is an Eagle Scout!

Three great guys! Best friends in Utah for an Especially For Youth Conference. They pay money to go to listen to wonderful speakers on religious topics for a week. They had a great time!

He has graduated from Winder-Barrow High early. Worked 2 jobs to go to BYU in April 1996.  He had Maymester and Summer classes and in the evenings and on weekends they had fun...here at a rodeo.

Then on campus, there was always something to do...

ummm... he was the U in BYU :-)

And when you're bored...call some friends!

Rick is on the left always with his hat, and sandals. Ricky stayed at BYU thru this 1st full semester, then he went to UVSC, I think it was called. It was smaller, but still had lots of friends. After he died, we went out there to get his things and all his friends and people he went to church with met for a memorial service. It was very touching. I wish I had more and more pictures. I wanted to share a bit of his life with you all.