Every so often someone comes into your life and makes such a profound impact that you wish to know them forever. It's like getting to capture the very essence of love in it's purest form. I'm changed forever by the presence of a very young man who fought a horrid cancer for so many years but though it all smiled at everyone he saw, laughed from the belly, danced like nobody was watchin, sang as if he had the voice of an opera star, studied hard as if he was to become President of the United States, and loved every human being with an unconditional love that you'd have thought he was God Himself. He was devoutly religious but never ever judged anyone for not sharin that view. He could talk about his love for God for hours on end til you thought you'd met God Himself on a beach and hung out with Him all day. He gave tiredlessly of his time, his hard efforts. He did fund raiser after fund raiser for every cause and charity that tickled his precious soul. He was deeply involved in lifting up anyone who had a need of any kind. He seemed to be a friend to every single person on this earth without prejudice and without givin a thought to popularity. He touched so many lives, every single person I saw him come in contact with seemed changed by his presence. He was so very active in his church, his school, with his friends, his beloved family, his illness, his life. He was playfull, mischevious, fun loving, devilishly handsome, and ever so quick witted and clever with one wicked sense of humor. Ever now and then, we get blessed by meeting such a wonderful spirit. Much can be learned from someone like that and I am a better person for his spirit crossin my path. We became friends through a family I really love and think of as my own. On Thanksgiving day, Richie's spirit moved on. He was 15. He will be missed and remembered by many. Thank you for your time and for viewing this.