Today, September 16th 2005, would have been Rick’s 36th birthday. It still seems so unreal that he isn’t here to celebrate it with us.
A month after Rick died, I got a posthumous birthday present from him. It was the latest Harry Potter book. In it was a card that said simply:

Now you’re as old as Dumbledore.

I’d like to re-share this story Rick wrote about turning 30. He calls me old in there too.

Happy birthday, Rick.
COMMENTS

2005-09-16 11:40:28

Pete wrote: Happy Birthday, Rick.
Love,
Pete, Kelly & Quinn

2005-09-16 12:42:50

Adam wrote: Happy Birthday, My Friend

2005-09-17 19:38:56

Incognito wrote: The days grow shorter
In the wake of you.

The night falls with frightening quickness
And I am left to fumble in the black.

The future feels as if it might be an endless winter
I may wake in the darkness, seldom see the sun, long for the spring.

And then I dream of you, on a winter day, standing in the doorway haloed by the plumbeous sky
Though I know you are a fantasy, your simple presence here — in my slumber — tells me that one day this terrible cold winter might relent and the days will lengthen.

– A friend who understands your loss, because I have been there myself.

2005-09-20 08:19:30

B wrote: I know. The hardest part about losing someone at such a young age is the thought of the years ahead without him. They seem so long.

2005-09-20 06:36:40

Joe wrote: Being 36 feels so old, losing Rick at 35 is just way too young. Every day, it seems, I remember something that Rick and I did or something funny that happened or some crazy conversation we had. Those memories, at least, are never ending. Happy Birthday, Rick.