Uncle Rick was such an important part of my life, especially when I was growing up. While my mom and I lived thousands of miles away, we spent so much time with Rick, Nona, Rebecca, and Rachel that the distance was barely even noticed. To this day, I can still remember the excitement I felt as a kid when he would come to CT and take us out for hikes, to Amato's Toy Store, or to just be silly and play games. I can still say that for many of those early years, there was nothing I looked forward to more.
Time has an unfortunate way of stretching things out and putting months, or even years in between visits and phone calls. The immediate demands of life easily grab our attention, and as we age, it's hard to realize when it happens. But I'll never forget my uncle Rick and will always appreciate the impact he had on my life. I have countless memories of my time with him through the years, and will deeply cherish them forever.