// My Goodbye's To Nic
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
