avanta7: (BlackRibbon)
avanta7 ([personal profile] avanta7) wrote2008-08-28 07:45 am
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Sweet dreams, Richard

One of my best friends passed away earlier this week. He was 63 years old.

Richard was one of the first people I met when I moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1992. At that time, I was 9 months sober, and he had just reached one year. Because our sobriety dates were so close together, we went through many of the same emotional changes sobriety brings almost in tandem, him first, then me. He became one of my closest friends and confidantes. I trusted him absolutely. And loved him like the big brother I never had.

Richard could be counted on. If he said he would be somewhere, he was there. If he told you he would do something, he'd do it and in spades. Richard was one of the few people I could call at three o'clock in the morning from anywhere, and ask to come get me, and know that he would. With no questions.

Richard was keenly intelligent with a wickedly dry sense of humor. He loved life and sobriety and all the good things God provided. He adored his sons, doted on his grandchildren, and thought his daughters-in-law hung the moon.

Richard's memorial service is at 10:00 tomorrow morning in Hot Springs. I will be on a plane out of Reno this afternoon.

Godspeed, Richard. You were one of the Lord's special people. And I'll miss you.

[identity profile] o-jenny.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 03:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry for your loss, avanta. Richard sounds like a wonderful man.

[identity profile] avanta7.livejournal.com 2008-08-30 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. He was.

[identity profile] amyleaton.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 03:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry for your loss.

[identity profile] avanta7.livejournal.com 2008-08-30 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[identity profile] shendoah.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry Avanta. {{HUGS}}

[identity profile] avanta7.livejournal.com 2008-08-30 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs back*

[identity profile] atenea-nike.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 03:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sorry for your loss. He sounds like a very special person.

[identity profile] avanta7.livejournal.com 2008-08-30 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[identity profile] rendiru.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs*

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[identity profile] avanta7.livejournal.com 2008-08-30 08:23 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs back*

[identity profile] markgharris.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry to read this. I'm sure you were a great friend to him.

[identity profile] avanta7.livejournal.com 2008-08-30 08:24 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[identity profile] whytraven.livejournal.com 2008-09-11 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
(((((( hugs ))))))

I am sorry for your loss.