just thinking  / Emily (old friend of paige's )

hi rikki,
 i used to be one of your sisters good friends back when we were in middle school. now were both juniors and dont talk at all anymore(different schools and everything) but for some reasons unknown there are those nights when paige will come to my mind and that leads to you. we met maybe twice and were never really that close but we had one thing in common and that was dance. your face came to my mind tonight rikki leigh lewis and i hope you know how loved you are. and how you will be forever loved and missed. promise me youll teach me a few dance moves when i get up to heaven someday<3

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Thinking of you..........  / Katy Pitts (Friend)
Hey lady!! I've had you on my mind lately. So much has changed for me. I had a little girl on June 5th. But, I'm sure you know that.

Since having her-- I have this new appreciation for life.  I am so lucky. I just can't explain how sad it makes me feel to realize that you won't have this experience. You're not going to have a baby..........i'm crying while i write this......and IT ISNT FAIR. You should be here. YOu should be able to have the wonderful opportunity to be a mom and live life.

I know that you are actually the lucky one. You got to go home. But, it just seems unfair that you won't have the chance to do any of this.

I now know what it means to love something more than you love yourself. I know how it feels to spend every day of your life pouring your blood sweat and tears into a little person, all the while imagining how amazing their life is going to be. Now, I can only imagine what it was like for your mother to do the same, but then have to say goodbye to you at such a young age. No parent should have to part with their child. Since having Kameryn I just can't stop realizing how lucky I am. BUt, I also can't stop realizing how scared I am. It's so scary to put a baby in this wirld and then not have any control over what inevitably happens to them.

I just hold you so close to my heart. Your death has had a profound impact on me. My mother's death was the biggest obstacle in my life-- having Kammy has healed the hole that it left in my heart. But, your death impacted me in such a different way.

I mean, I SAW YOU two days before youdied. YOu were supposed to come to my birthday party. You never made it. How can life be so fragile? How can our parents put so much energy into raising us only to lose us in the blink of an eye?

Oh Rik.................your death was not in vain. You have made me realize just how lucky I am. You have given me the opportunity to view each day as it really is. You have made me a better mother just because I am cherishing every moment (even the exhausted bleary eyed, sleepless moments) because I know that I have zero control over the future. I am holding onto my little girl and breathing her life in. I want each day to be lived like it's the last. You have given me the ability to laugh in the face of adversity and blow off any negativity in my life. Rikki- I wish you were here to experience what I am experiencing. To be a mother is the most beautiful gift that can be given.

 I want you to know that I will always think of you. I will always take a moment to pray for you. Every January-- I will stop and realize how lucky I am to be here. I will tell Kameryn about you. I will always thank you for making an impact on my life (even thought yOu probably didn't even realize that you did).

I LOVE YOU MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxox See you again one day........................<3 Katy

P.S. How about those Bulls? #6!!!!!!!!!!! <3 USF    ((I saw the Sun Dolls shaking it and I could almost see you out there. I had to blink a few times.................)) xoxo Close

THINKING OF YOU  / LEE NOSSEN /GOLDBERG (FRIEND OF FAMILY )

Knowing today is your birthday and is such a difficult time for your family, I wanted to send our love to you all.
I hope that Rikki has taken my Tyler under her wing and helped him .
I know the pain, the grief and the feelings of overwhelmingness.
We are thinking of you and your family....

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the good times  / Kris

Older Sis,
      Well its about 3 in the morning and i can't seem to sleep, it's been one of those days when the world seems like its crumbling down around me.  Ya know when i first came on to your page tonight the first picture i saw was one of ashley and i planting a vine for you and i can't help but think of the way life used to be.  I miss the better days rikki, and i miss the laughter you and i always shared.  It's been 2 1/2 years now and everynow and then i still pass your name in my phone and want to call in hopes that somehow someway you'd pick up.  All i want is to hear your voice one more time, and come to tampa one last time to drink your girly drinks, and laugh hysterically watching bell swing from ashleys hair.  I miss her so badly rik and she's the only one who knew the pain i tried to hide from everyone else, and now i feel like i have nobody to confide in anymore.  I miss you rikki and want you to know that no matter how many times we fought or yelled at each other you were and will always be the best friend i've ever had.  Thank you for always over me and one day i hope to return the favor.  I love you.
Kristofer

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Thank-you! / Mommy

Dearest Rikki,  It amazes me how you have been by my side and have walked me through the last two and half years. Their is not a doubt in my mind that you have orchestrated the events that have taken place to get me where I am today. Although I have experienced the pain of betrayal, deceit and heart break, I know now that it was going through these stages that brought me to the joy and happiness that I have found. I guess it is true that you can not truly know what true love and happiness is until you experience the real thing.  I have found that within myself and now have the ability to accept and give love in a way I have never experienced before.  I have been able to forgive myself for not knowing when to say no and love myself for knowing when to say yes.  It has been a long road, but with you holding my hand and guiding me, their was no doubt that I would come out of this a better and stronger person. Rikki, you knew what I was going through when you were here, it was those words of advise that you had given me back than that got me through the tough times, and I thank-you from the bottom of my heart.  I love you my sweet daughter and miss you, but I know you will continue to be right here beside me forever and always. Please keep close to Kris and Paige.  All my love, Mommy

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condolences / Eric H. (none)
i never knew Rikki. in fact i was looking for a memorial for a guy i knew in high school that somebody had said passed away. i was able to get through most of the pictures and when Rikki's came i couldnt believe how beautiful she was and i said to myself how could this happen and had to read about it. im so sorry theres nothing worse in the world than a tragedy like this. my cousin passed away in a car accident when i was 17 and he didnt have his seatbelt on. he was a great guy and im sure Rikki was a great girl. i hope all the family and friends of Rikki are doing okay and my prayers go out to you and Rikki. Close

Thinking About You Always!  / Jennifer Lostumbo (Friend)
Rikki,
Today I was able to reunite with your mom which was such a good feeling.  My mom ran into her at the nail shop.  Your mom gave my mom her phone number and asked her to have me call.  I filled up when my mom told me.  I didn't even hesitate (not for a second).  I called soon after and chatted with your mom.  

Your mom gave me this website and I was in awe as I went through the messages, pictures, and tributes.  It is so beautiful!  Just as I remember you! 

 To this day, I think about you.  I remember all the good times we had with cheerleading.  No matter how tired or frustrated we were, you always seemed to put a smile on my face.  I was actually going through pictures the other day and had sooo many (especially from cheerleading with Michelle and Coach Barber). Also, I have some cute ones of you on H.E.L.P. trips.   I will never forget the time when you, Danielle Twyford, and me put Jackie Fernandez up in a full and she fell and you and I collided.  I needed two stiches under my lip.  I went and got them and actually came back to practice. I knew you guys would be there to support me if I returned!  

My mom constantly mentions your name and sometimes even sees other pretty girls and says doesn't she remind you of "Rikki Lewis".  You are in my thoughts, prayers, and heart (always).  

Now that I know about this website, I plan to check it more often and I promise I will send it to all of our friends that might not know about it. 

I love ya girl!  
Jen Lostumbo Close

In my dreams  / Ashlee
Hey Rik-

Thank you for coming to me last night. I don't really know why I was putting a wedding dress on (???-maybe sometime you can explain that to me since I'm not even engaged)...

I said to you- I wish there was a way to "get a hold of you". You just smiled.  You were as beautiful as ever, and I think we both knew that as much fun as we were having, you had to go back.

I guess I'm beginning to accept that you're truly gone, but like in my dreams, I pretend that you're still here. To have that comfort that when I need something, I can always turn to you,  makes the day a little more tolerable.

Thank you for visiting, it had been a while.

I love you and miss you more than anything.

Keep your dad company today- I'm sure it's not easy (never will be, but these holidays make it harder). I may not get to talk to all of your family very often, but I think about all of them- Dad, Mom, Kris, Paige, Granny- I bought a Jetta this week, your Grandpa Noel would not be happy ;) 

Love always
~Ash Close

Still remembering  / Jeannie Reilly (USF Sundolls )
Hi Rikki,

 I know you and I lost touch of each other after I graduated USF in 2004 but I have never lost touch of you or anyone else that we danced with. I may not physically talk to everybody but everyone is still in my heart especially you and now Caroline too. I think about what I call "the glory" years and how we had so much fun. Since then I have had a son and a wonderful man that has asked me to marry him which is the reason I am writting to you.
I know that you are always with us especially your loved ones but I was wondering if it would be possible for you to attend my wedding. eventhough you will not physically be there your spirit will shine through us especially the Sundolls that do attend becasue you touched our lives and only we can embrace your presence. 
Miss you 
Jeannie Close

thinking of you  / Jake Shanahan (Friend)
Rikki, I've made a lot of new friends up here, and everyone who comes into my room sees your picture and always says how beautiful you are and asks me about you. Its so hard sometimes, but so great to be able to share your memory with new friends. I'm heading to europe for the summer with a bunch of these friends and I'll be thinking of you over there looking at all the sites and knowing you are up above looking over us all. I miss you. love always, Jake Close

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY  / Debbie Wengert Kevin's Mom

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crazy / Gaby (room-mate)
i know that u are as shocked as I am, who would've thought that women can still die from giving birth. Please welcome Caroline, I know that matters weren't idealistic but I know that all of that is water under the bridge. Give Caroline your strength and please please wacth over Clay Christian. This is unreal, too much has changed within the past few years. R.I.P Caroline and Rikki, your memories will live on forever. i love you both. Close

Mothers Day  / Sherrie Kitterman
Rikki Leigh,     Another Mother's Day without you.  All the memories of the times we all shared together will always live on in my heart.  Please be with your Mom today.  She misses you so much and needs to know that you are ok.  Help her find peace and enjoy her much deserved Mother's Day.  She is my dearest and best friend and I cannot help her with the emptiness she feels without you.  You, Rikki are the only one who can help her.  I know you will fill her heart today with all the love you have for her.  We all miss you so much, however, no one more than your Mom. May you rest in peace and dance everyday in heaven.  God Bless you, Rikki Leigh.  All my love always,  Sherrie  xoxoxo  Close

Happy Mothers Day.  / Valerie Haslett

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Remembering You  / Mommy
I went to Winnie Texas this past weekend to put our property up for sale and to re-visit a part of my life that was so precious to me. It was so strange going back after twenty five year to a town that you spent the first four months of your life. It was so familiar, yet seemed like a life time ago.  My heart took me back to a place of comfort and new beginnings. A place where I started my life as a mother, your mother. I sat and thought about all the times I daydreamed about who and what you would be when you grew up, at one point forgetting that you are no longer physically here, I went to grab my phone to call U and let you know where I was.  That's when the pain hit me, and the memories of my 1st baby came back so clearly that it literally took my breath away.  Words will never be able to explain how much I miss you and yearn to hold you in my arms again as I did the night you were born.  Letting go of my past is the hardest thing I will ever have to endure, but I know that with you, my Angel, I will walk through life with my head held high, my heart filled with wonderful memories and no regrets.  I love you, Mom Close

miss you  / Kris Lewis (Brother)
Hey Rikki, I haven't been on the site for a while but I try and talk to you every night before bed.  You know being in college just isn't the same as it could have been if you were still here.  I can't help but think how hard you and I would have partied together and how much fun and laughs we would have had.  I need a good laugh right now Rikki and I know you are one of the only people who could ever bring me out of a deep rut.  Please continue to watch over me and guide me down the right path.  I love you Rikki and miss you so much. Close

Happy Easter  / Mommy
Dearest Daughter,  Their will never be a Holiday that will ever be the same without you.  Please know Rikki, you are always here with us and forever in my thoughts, heart and prayers.  I miss you more and more each day.  All my love always and forever,  Mom. xoxo Close

Sending you Irish love today & always  / Melissa Killingsworth (Angel Brandon's Mom )
Sending all my heartfelt love to you Rikki and your precious family who love and miss you so. Close

man..... / Ashley Sams (Best Friend/ Roommate )
It's been a while Ric. I miss ya so much. I had a dream about you last nite and I could sleep at all afterwards. You were so beautiful. I miss yo so much. I try not to think about it a whole lot. I dont really know or have any clue what its like up there but I hope you are looking down on all of us. Everyday I drive on Fowler Ave I am reminded of the day you were taken. You made such a difference in my life, I still love you so much. Someday when I get to heaven well have to do some major catching up. Close

With Love and Deepest Regrets  / Veronica Angel Mom To Zachary Vanwinkle
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