I met up with my husband downtown yesterday, so we could head to Rogers Arena and pay our respects at this event.  We hoped that if nothing else, we'd at least contribute to the size of the crowd--thinking that maybe the more fans Rick Rypien's friends and family saw gathered, the more they might be comforted. 

I took a few photos, for anyone who couldn't make it and was interested to see a bit of what it was like.

(hit the "view: wide" button right over there -----> to see the photos correctly)

Approaching Rogers Arena from the SkyTrain. I was happy to see so many people gathering, but then sad as it occurred to me that Rypien will never get to feel excited to see this place again.

A somber fan stands vigil for the fallen.

So much love.

Everyone was subdued & respectful. It seemed oddly quiet for the number of people there, but it also seemed just right.

More tributes. Everyone who moved through here to write on the posters was extremely careful not to disturb these candles.

This one just breaks my heart.

The line to sign the memorial book went all the way to the street, and stayed that way the whole time we were there.

I took this photo for my little boy, who's on vacation right now. Still not sure how I'm going to tell him about all of this.

More love being added to the memorial.

Somewhere in here is where I slipped my terrible-but-heartfelt poem.

Thanks, Rypien. None of us can hear these things too often.