|
 Ryan's
Story
Ryan was born September
20, 1979, in Texas. He was a beautiful baby as well as sweet. The day I found
out I was pregnant with Ryan our one and only child, my father died. I grieved
so. I never was able to tell my dad about his only grandson from our family.
Ryan was taken by c-section in the eighth month of the pregnancy. I was given
50 mg of Demerol and was awake for the whole procedure. Shortly after Ryan
was born, I was put into my room. There my dad appeared to me. I am sure
an angel sent by God to tell me he had seen the baby, that he loved me, and
he kissed me on the cheek, and said, "Daddy Loves you Baby" and left. I knew from that moment God's hand was
upon Ryan.
On April 25.1998 Ryan went to his senior prom. He went with several of his
friends including his date he had grown up with. On May 23.1998 Ryan graduated
from New Caney High School. Bound for college and working toward his pro-status
in golf. His life was off to a great start.
On June 21, 1998, Father's Day
Evening, Ryan became ill. He came home from work early and laid down. [ He
was fine earlier we went to lunch after church to celebrate Father's Day.]
He complained of an earache and he had a fever. No other symptoms. As the
early morning approached after a night of Tylenol and sleep, Ryan became sick
at his stomach. He got up to get a drink.
His dad awoke from sleep and rushed to his side. He ask, "Ryan are you
OK?" Ryan, a little surprised at his dad, said, "I am OK Dad."
When I went to Ryan, his fever was 102.5°. I made him some tea and gave
him Tylenol. I called the doctor. We had an appointment for 10 :30 a.m..
Ryan came into my room
where I had just hung up from the doctor. He was weak, and in the dim light
I noticed a rash on his stomach you could literally see his blood vessel
rupturing all over his body. I realized my baby had Meningitis. I called the doctor and rushed him to the medical
center. As we traveled, I kept watch over his pulse and tried to keep him with
me. After 25 years in the medical profession, I knew my baby was in trouble.
As we arrived I helped Ryan from the van. He said, " My legs are numb
Mom." His size 14 sandal fell off of his foot. I told him to leave it but
he wanted it. I knelt down on my knees and I helped him put it back on. As we got to the elevator, Ryan
said, "I can't feel my legs." I carried my 18 year old 6'2'' baby
into the doctor, screaming for help. He was rushed to the ER. There were doctors
and nurses everywhere working on him. He was hypotensive, heart rate 185 ~
200 and he began to vomit blood. The nurse said , "Ryan you are vomiting we are
going to put a tube down your throat." Ryan said, "I'm sorry."
She began to cry and told me he was a good boy and could not believe this
very sick young man was apologizing to her. . Ryan's Dad arrived as well
as a few of our friends. Bob came into the room with us. I was telling our
baby that I loved him and not to be afraid. We were losing Ryan. His father
was trapped between the table where Ryan laid and the wall. I was in the
corner praying. Ryan coded, his heart stopped. I tried to get to Bob, to take him
out. Ryan's heart started on its' on, everyone was amazed. His EKGs show every
second of this event. His dad told him, "Daddy loves you baby boy."
Ryan rolled his head in his dads direction and said, "I know." Once
again Ryan's heart stopped. We left the room as CPR and advanced life support
was started. The doctor was praying out loud asking God to save this child.
Ryan died at 10:53 a.m., June 22.1998, with Meningococcemia. (Meningococcal
Meningitis)
There were over 500 people
at Ryan's funeral. An invitation for salvation was given at our request. We
are told over 100 people gave their life to the Lord. The night Ryan died
A foreign exchange student and neighbor was at the house. In all the confusion
I was able to pray with her and she accepted the Lord. She said, "God
took one heart and gave another. "She wrote a beautiful testimony to
God and Ryan. We took money from Ryan's wallet bought her a Bible with her
name and their date and a frame with Ryan's and her picture. It is inscribed
"From Heart to Heart Love Ryan"
Ryan was our only child.
He was a beautiful young man. Loved by all who ever met him. He loved the
Lord. He led several to the Lord in his short time on Earth including his
grand mother, a teacher and several more because of his life and death since.
He spoke with a friend a few weeks before , he died. The friend told
us he asked Ryan , "How do you get to Heaven? He said, Ryan told him.
He asked Ryan what did he think Heaven was like? Ryan said, "I think it
is a really cool place where everything is free (he was tight with his money)
I will get to play golf with Jesus and He won't cheat like you guys! And the
first thing I am going to do is tell that dude He needs some Dry Lops, those
sandals want cut it!
The days are lonely without Ryan. His friends are here a lot...They are a
gift from God.
We know God has our son
and we have His.
See You Later Ryan! |
|
|
|
This was
Ryan's favorite scripture.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those
who hope in the Lord will renew their strength
They will mount up on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31
|
|
In this scripture it tells us to be strong in our Faith and Hope in The Lord.
The Faith and Hope of Ryan's friends, as well as ours is knowing that we will see Ryan again
in Heaven.
|
|
|
Shannon at Ryan's Grave with
his friends on His birthday five years later.
We miss you Ryan. We still
love you. Much has happened. We are graduating college and getting
married and oh, Look at the new Little Ryan's named in your
memory.
Ryan and His Friends
|
This is
a copy of a letter I wrote to God the morning after Ryan went home to the
Father. It was read at his funeral.
Dearest Lord,
Thank you for allowing us to have Ryan. We know you only gave him to us for
safe keeping a little while, but that he really belonged to you all along.
He was a creation of love, and of all of the beautiful things of Heaven and
Earth.
His voice was as a gentle breeze on a warm summer day. His smile like sunshine
through the rain. His eyes like the brightest stars on a dark night.
He loved you Lord, and now he is back at home for you to keep safe where we
all hope to be one day.
We ask you, Lord, that all those touched by Ryan, who grieve with us will
know and understand that your plan is divinely perfect.
We Praise you, Father, for our child and now we fully understand the sacrifice
you made with your Son on the cross.
We love You. We praise You.
Frankie and Bob
PS: Hug our baby everyday, please Lord, and tell him we will see him as soon
as you allow.
Mom and Dad
|
The song on This Page
One Sweet Day
Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men:
Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say.
And now it�s too late to hold you,
�Cause you�ve flown away, so far away.
Mariah:
Never had I imagined
Living without your smile.
Feeling, and knowing you hear me,
It keeps me alive, alive.
All: (Chorus)
And I know you�re shining down on me from heaven,
Like so many friends we�ve lost along the way.
And I know eventually we�ll be together
One sweet day.
Boyz II Men:
Darling, I never showed you,
Assumed you�d always be there.
I, I took your presence for granted,
But I always cared and I miss the love we shared.
All: (Chorus)
And I know you�re shining down on me from heaven,
Like so many friends we�ve lost along the way.
And I know eventually we�ll be together
One sweet day.
Boyz II Men:
Although the sun will never shine the same,
I�ll always look to a brighter day.
Mariah:
Lord, I know when I lay me down to sleep,
You will always listen as I pray.
All: (Chorus)
And I know you�re shining down on me from heaven,
Like so many friends we�ve lost along the way.
And I know eventually we�ll be together
One sweet day.
And I know you�re shining down on me
from heaven,
Like so many friends we�ve lost along the way.
And I know eventually we�ll be together
Dedicated to Ryan from his Friends and
Family.
This is one of the songs Ryan's friends and his
cousins chose for him.
One Sweet Day played for 1 hour and 45
minutes while over 500 people passed his casket to say good-bye.
But Ryan in truth we only say see you soon Baby
Boy.
|
There were 18 pallbearers at Ryan's funeral. All 18 young men went and knelt
at his casket and prayed and all 18 kissed him good-bye for now.
|
|
