That's wonderful Tink....and it does belong here. Fits in just right.

We have all mentioned the music but what drew me to Rick was something I now realize is the same thing which drew me to other great friends I have been fortunate enough to have over the years. It was his broad base of knowledge and interest in a variety of subjects. More to the point was the passion he showed in pursuing whatever he found that "tickled his fancy," so to speak.

I believe that passion drives the world. Without passion the world is cold and generally boring. The enthusiasm which grips us when our passion takes over is palpable and contagious. It is a quality shared by many at the 'Cat and Rick had that passion for many things. Great as he was musically, he was far removed from being a "one trick pony."

The other factor that makes passion work is the courage to challenge what you believe and to do it repeatedly. Doing so frees up your mind to see/think in ways you never believed possible. Rick did that musically, and again, he showed the same for other subjects where his passions were strong.

So yeah, Rick wanted us all to challenge ourselves musically to be better, but he did far more.......He challenged us all to be better as human beings. It was the same he asked of himself.

Pat