First to Heather........You know that Karen and I send you our best and warmest thoughts and hold you close in our hearts. Much Love.....

I didn't know whether I could or would post to this thread today. And for the most part, I won't. What I want to say and what Rick would well understand, others might not.........so I'll hold that a bit.

Rick and I came to the 'Cat within days of each other and in those first months amazed ourselves with the relationship and friendship we had developed so quickly and so closely. It was unlike either of us. We also spent a lot of time in PM's gossiping like a couple of old hens. The 'Cat was just beginning to gel and some of you will remember those days well.

If your heart is empty tonight, fill it with all that Rick left us for the remembering. The music, stories, advice, kindness, caring, love, and the very words he wrote here, are far more than any heart can hold. What we got from Rick and that which we pass on from him assures an immortality that no religion can give.

For many of us he left even more and with a debt to him we cannot pay. For me it includes a little ditty named "Catspaw's Rag," written by a caring and gentle man who, when he could do nothing else, did what he did so very well.......wrote a song for a critically ill friend......

Dammit Rick................I loved ya' man.............still do........


Spaw