The day before Richard’s funeral we had a visitation at the funeral home.

I wrote a letter to our guests. We framed it and displayed it next to the guest book along with a picture of Richard.

Many people asked me for a copy of that letter. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why.

But I’m posting the letter here:

Dear Family and Friends,

Yes, this is the saddest time we’ve ever known. Our hearts are broken. You will no doubt see us cry. We find the strangest little things can get the tears flowing – like a piece of country ham from Carriss’ Grocery.

But we are not here to mourn.

Since learning of Richard’s death on Thursday night we have spent many hours going through pictures. In all the albums and boxes of pictures, it is hard to find images of Richard without a smile – his first haircut being a rare exception.

There is a country song with the lyrics, “I wanta keep running, till the sands run out.” That was Richard’s life. As an infant he would often run and laugh in his sleep – those fat little legs just going like crazy. He never stopped until the end.

Richard grabbed the joy from life and shared it with the rest of us. He loved to laugh and smile and experience life. And if he found us taking ourselves or life too seriously, he would tease and laugh at us and keep us straight.

We can no longer show you our beautiful son. We have gathered a few of the things he loved and was proud of to share with you. And the pictures. We hope his smile will bring you the same joy it has brought us. The joy it will bring us until we join him when our sands run out.

The pain is so intense because the joy was so large.

Over the past three years Richard faced many heavy blows. He never changed. His smile never faded. In the end his illness conquered his body. But his spirit was never dented.

So please help us celebrate Richard’s life. He packed a lot into 22 years. While much too short  it was…

A life well lived.

Remembering the joy,
Joe and Debbie Mudd