You came into our lives in the early hours of the morning October 24, 1989; new son; a new brother; a new life. Big brothers Christopher and Robert were so excited to welcome you into the world! They looked upon you with contagious smiles. Their giggles would make you tingle inside. We chose to bring you into the world not in a hospital but at our home, where you could be surrounded by peace, quiet, soothing light and the warmth of close family and friends. As you were lifted up into your mother’s arms they folded around you; never wanting to let go of the wonderful joy that was placed there. As you grew you were often the silent follower. You watched your older brothers closely. The fantasy and make-believe games they played. The words they spoke, the brotherly love they conveyed. Every once in a while you became the leader instead of the follower. You had to be the logical thinker, trying to put some practical sense into the silly games that captured your imagination. The silent genius was born!
Then came David and later Katie. You were no longer the baby. You were now Big Brother to two new soles. Some people claim that the middle child often gets the short end of the stick and the least attention. Not you Richard! You were sandwiched between a pair of older loving brothers and a younger brother and sister. All wrapped up in adoration from your mom and dad. You were the glue that held the seven of us together. You may have left us, but that glue has hardened into concrete and the bond among your family is now stronger as it has ever been.
You had few friends but those friends you had loved your dearly. Aaron adored you. Richard is so cool he would say. And even as you grew older and your lives drifted apart, every now and then you would get together to live those childhood memories. The laughter, joy and memories you shared in those pre-school years.
When you were eight, your family moved to Arizona. What were we thinking?? Moving a fair skinned boy who didn’t like the heat and bright sun into the desert?! Remember your pet Whiptail? The Dumbo eared fancy rat. What a perfect match for you!! Dumbo rats are known for their intelligence and for their mellow, docile personality. Dumbo was the personification of Richard! The dozens of Lego sets you put together! And who did we turn to when there was a new box from Ikea?? – Richard! The most amazing reader we have ever seen. Place the right 1000 page book in Richards’s hands and he would vanish for a couple of days until it was finished; your mind was like a sponge.
Richard you were the quiet one; the modest one; the gentle one. You always were the first to hug your mom when it wasn’t cool anymore to hug your mom. You were also the first to wrap your arms around your grandmas. To share a short story, to tell them how your day was going, or to thank them for the things they did for you. You were such a smart man! You finally found your calling with Electronics Engineering Technology at NAIT. Straight A’s in the first semester!! You were so looking forward to the second semester and your first work program. I guess you have been called away to a greater place - Where you can help solve important and complex problems and to calm and diffuse confrontations with your soothing and peaceful manner.
Oh Richard, you left us much too soon!! You had so much life yet to live, so many hearts still to touch, so much wisdom to convey. Your brothers’ ache for your companionship, your sister yearns for your tender smile. There were still so many more joys in you give. While we will miss you dearly, we are at peace knowing that you that you did not suffer. That your pain was small and brief, and that you have gone to a better place. We will see you again one day my son.