Thursday, April 8, 2021
When I was born, Rich was already a 15-year-old teenager with no use for a little brat like me. My first memory of him was at 3 when we were at a family event and I was horribly shy and searched him out. He was like a life-sized teddy bear and I sat on his knee so he could be my protector. From that day on, I gravitated toward Rick. Every summer, my family would take our summer vacation in Brandon and I always looked forward to seeing him. As time went on, he went from being the comforting teddy bear to my cool older cousin with all the great cars, bikes and aviator sunglasses. Many years later, Rick came to Alberta in search of work and ended up living with us for some time. This is where he went from being the cool cousin to being a second older brother. I have many fond memories of spending time with him. He would tease me dreadfully, much like a big brother would, but it was always in good fun. He took me for my first motorcycle ride and took the heat from my mom, who was not too happy about the whole thing. We went to movies and listened to music, and I know it was his influences that helped shape me as the person I am today. Rick was always there for me, during my parents passing he made sure to be there to help where he could, at the opening of my pub he came to celebrate the accomplishment, after publishing my first book and being struck with self-doubt he pushed me to keep going so he would know a famous author, and after a big move across Canada, he made sure to come for a visit to check out our new digs and enjoy our annual summer party. During which, he helped lay some sod and decorate for the event, and of course, he continued to tease me for putting him to work on his vacation. Not that it mattered, he enjoyed the event and was the last man standing at 5am, and the first up to help with the cleanup. I regret not seeing him more over the last few years, but we talked on the phone often. I will miss our hours-long chats, but most especially, I will miss hearing his enormous laugh. Oh, how he loved to laugh. It speaks to the kind and caring person he was, a good guy the world will be duller for not having him in it, a guy with the biggest heart that I will miss tremendously. Thanks for letting this bratty kid be your annoying little sister, I hope you're riding free and fast, now, Rick... Until we meet on the other side again. <3 Brigette
