~ Lost ~

by Tina~in_ut
for ~Dawn~

In recent days, I've been spending my time thinking of Dawn and her loss and trying to comprehend it. I've felt like the world should have stopped and the news coverage should be nothing but tributes to Rick, just like we had with MJ. I've been acting like everyone I interact with knows what happened and is as upset about it as I am. I can't understand why everyone around me is going on with their lives as if nothing has happened. I am lost.


Lost. That is Dawn's myspace status. It is a fitting word for how a lot of us feel. We live in a very strange world....this online world. When I first heard what had happened, my immediate reaction was to find out what I could do for Dawn. There are the obvious things like praying for her and the family, sending a card or flowers, but I wanted to DO something. I talked to Mary a couple of days later. We had been going through and thinking the same things. I talked to a couple of more people who felt the same way. We live in an online world, and although we feel as if we are neighbors, we are spread out across the country and even into Canada. Our natural inclination is to "do something" and since we don't live near Dawn, there is very little we can do to help.


When I started thinking about what I would want in a situation like this, as if I could even imagine it, I realized that I would want to know that there were people here for me in case I needed them. That's exactly what some of us have done....either by phone, email, IM, MySpace comments, or even FarmTown, we have let Dawn know we are there for her and that we love her. And she has heard us.....sometimes loud and clear (I can be a little overwhelming at times!). Although I didn't know Rick, and I don't know Dawn like her best friends do, I know that I care about her and those she loves. I did know Rick loved the beach and he loved NASCAR! That alone gave him a special place in my heart......even if his choice of favorite driver left something to be desired! (Dawn will understand this!) :D I thought it was ultra-cool that he got to ride around with Ryan Newman.....who, by the way, is a hottie! Rick probably didn't think so~ :D


"Indiana Rick" is my favorite picture of all that Dawn has posted on MySpace and Facebook. I thought I would share it with you for those who haven't seen it. I love his smile and that getup~ He looks so incredibly happy. I want to remember him this way. Well...to be honest...I'll remember this look......and him in a car with Ryan Newman!!!


Dawn, we care for you, worry about you, and love you dearly. We hope you are able to find peace, and one day realize that you are not alone and no longer lost, because Rick will be with you always.