Richard Jr.'s Memorial

On September 25, 2021, at the age of 34, we had to say goodbye to our precious, sweet Richard Jr. after an unexpected accident that took him home to Heaven…

To know Richard Jr was to love him. Having Autism, he had a tremendous gift, an innocence that brought you to a comforting place and removed you from the chaos of the world, even if just for a short while. His love and excitement for the simplest things taught you that life doesn’t have to be complicated or constantly chased, but presently lived with a joy in your heart.

The constant lessons that Richard Jr. taught all of us are ones not to be forgotten or ignored because these lessons are why God put him on this earth. He taught us unconditional love, forgiveness, to not let the worldly troubles blind you from the love that has never left. Being Richard Jr’s sister has been a huge blessing and a privilege…I’ll never forget the way he made my heart feel every time he would randomly remind me how beautiful I was or how I was the “Bestest sister in the whole wide world”.

It was no secret that Richard Jr was special and I know it was a HUGE devastation to those who followed him on Facebook’s “Quarantine Karaoke” page where he sang and told jokes, who watched his “Christmas Spirit Fun” videos during the holidays, and/or those who knew him just through his sweet presence on social media as well… but no heart broke as much as our moms.

The mother and son bond that they had was nothing less than inspiring. After finding out Richard Jr. had autism she knew this would be a lifelong journey caring for him, but she never allowed his autism to hinder him from living his best life.

Even on days when she didn’t feel like she had any energy left in her —She loved him still and she showed up for him.

Even when she had to battle through two open heart surgeries. —

She loved him still and she always made him a priority.

Even when she was told countless times on how to “properly” raise Richard Jr. —

She loved him still and in a way that she knew made Richard Jr feel valued, accepted, appreciated and loved.

She was Richard Jr’s soldier, a true fighter, armed with a shield to protect him from anything that could potentially harm or hurt him physically, emotionally or mentally. She was his hero, as he was hers and the love Richard Jr showed to all was simply a beautiful reflection of the love our mother gave to him. She is the one who taught us the power of Unconditional Love and a brilliant teacher she is too, one who teaches by example. For that blessing alone, I thank God everyday that He chose her to be our mom (or as Richard Jr. calls her: “Momma Abby”).

I have never had children so I can’t even imagine how my mother feels having to navigate through this kind of pain, but I know it is not easy. I also know that I nor any of you can remove the hurt she feels as she grieves the life of her son, but my hope is to remove some of the financial burden she will be facing. Being a single parent, who later on developed heart disease, she found herself no longer able to work and Richard Jr.s financial support along with hers made a good balance to provide their monthly needs. Now with Richard Jr. being gone she is finding herself in a tough spot and and needs our help. If anyone deserves love and support its her, for she is always the first one to support and love others when in need.

So on behalf of my mom, I ask that you please consider helping to bring some assistance to her during this difficult time. Anything that you can contribute to this fund will be so greatly appreciated (no amount is too small and anything contributes to making a difference.) and know that it means more than you could ever imagine.

Lastly I just want to say thank you for the friendship, love, respect and kindness many of you have shown to my brother over the course of his short life. Know that each time you honored him by listening to his stories, talking with him, watching him preform, guessing on his jokes, reading his letters, YOU absolutely lit him up. — All he asked for was a moment or two of your time and when you gave it, you became his best friend…

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you….