A long applause and white and blue balloons released by his friends in the sky bid farewell to Riccardo Licheri on his last journey after leaving mass . The parish church of Ghilarza is not big enough to accommodate the many people who have come to bid farewell to the sixteen-year-old, son of the mayor of the town Stefano Licheri , who died tragically after almost a week of agony following a motorbike accident.
The square in front of the parish is also packed: young people, adults and elderly people all united by the pain of a death too difficult to accept. It is not even 5:20 pm when the white coffin crosses the threshold of the church. It is difficult to hold back the tears, difficult to understand a fate that seems absurd and inexplicable. The parish church has been crowded for some time, the rosary is being recited, the faces are gloomy. Sitting in the side chapel are Riccardo's companions and friends, still in disbelief at the atrocious fate that has befallen those who shared moments of joy and lightheartedness with them.
The Prefect, the Police Chief and many mayors from the entire province were present, close to dad Stefano, mom Lucia and sister Giulia. Father Paolo Contini officiated the mass, together with other priests. " We welcomed you with festive bells even if today the pain and sadness take away the words ", said the parish priest. And he continued: "We believed the doctors, but until the end we wanted to wear the helmet of hope. We all prayed incessantly and then the tears became prayers". And then the touching words for the parents, who made a great gesture of love by deciding to donate the organs: " Thank you for the generosity you have had in giving other young people hope and life ".
The sixteen-year-old's friends were moved: "We are here, your faithful - they said - We want to remember you smiling as always. You left us with a flood of memories of you. We hope that from above you can accompany us on our journey ". This morning at the Ghilarza high school, the school where this year Riccardo should have attended the third grade with his classmates, a minute of silence and reading of a thought by one of his teachers and the words of another teacher. Tomorrow another moment of reflection on the value of life for the students of Mariano IV. Many messages of condolence from administrators of the territory and not only, from associations, . And also several compositions in Sardinian dedicated to Riccardo, who flew to heaven too soon.
