Nics_thoughts

Nic.... man where do I even start? I met you when you were 13 years old.
You had a guitar and wanted to learn how to play. Our friendship started
out as teacher and student and grew to you being one of my best
friends. You are as much a part of my family as anyone else in my family.
I still cant believe you are gone. I feel like you will be walking through the
front door any minute with your TV in both hands and your X-box on top
ready to play some Halo online like we have done together a MILLION
times. You have been a part of every big thing that has happened in my
life over the past 8 years. You and I had some unforgettable times on
the Infinity Within Tour. I think you still have a video laying around
someplace that I still need to destroy! lol You were always there to help
me when I needed you and for that I was always and will always be
forever in your debt.

We talked about things that you could not talk to anyone else about. You
trusted me to be your friend and treated me like a brother. You wrote on
your My Space page that I was one of your heroes and that you looked
up to me but man.... I looked up to you too. Life kept dealing you a bad
hand and you pushed right through it and made the best of everything
and every situation.

I am so happy that you had found Anna and spent the time you guys had
together. It kills me inside to think that you will not get to feel the feeling
of being married, playing on stage in your own band, having a child... So
many things that this world would have benefited from you doing. On the
tour, Fish helped you learn how to hold your own and come out of your
shell but you still kept that innocence about you that made everyone
love you. I love you so much man... I will miss you more than you could
ever know. I took our time for granted. I never in a million years thought
there would be a day where I could not call you to hang out or to come to
a show or to play some video games... Now I think back at each and
every one of the times we spent together and wish I could just have one
more day.

You were one of a kind man. There is definitely not another person out
there like you. I know for a fact that we would have been friends for life. I
feel so much anger and sadness because you are gone. But I know you
will always be here. Everytime I look around I see something you helped
me with or something you used or somewhere you sat or someone who's
life you touched. And I know you will always be here with me.

But now you are onto a new journey. You will have new experiences and
be able to touch others in the way you touched all of us that love you so
much. So sit back man, relax with a Coke, a bag of Skittles, a
cheeseburger with no onions or pickles, your guitar, and your video
games and rock heaven like its never been rocked before.

I love you so much bro and I will miss you so much until I see you again.

Rikk
11-27-2006