There is life. A testimony to a life well lived. My darling niece put this video together and it was displayed at Ryan's wakes. She set it to the two songs he loved best to play on the guitar.
Thank you to all who have prayed, cried and mourned with us. I promise to be back to write more about my sweetheart soon, but right now I just need to be with my family and friends.
Thank you to all who have prayed, cried and mourned with us. I promise to be back to write more about my sweetheart soon, but right now I just need to be with my family and friends.
Oh Mary Ellen, you are all in my daily thoughts and prayers. This is a beautiful, sweet and loving tribute to a wonderful young man.
Posted by: Paula in MN | August 26, 2009 at 02:34 PM
Beautiful. We miss Ryan so very much.
Posted by: Karen | August 26, 2009 at 02:43 PM
Thinking of you and your family, Mary Ellen...and praying!
Posted by: Jennifer Mackintosh | August 26, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Beautiful, Mary Ellen. Thank you for sharing your precious Ryan with us.
Posted by: Ruth | August 26, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Beautfiful, Mary Ellen. You gave that boy a very happy, a very blessed childhood. Such a joyful life full of wonderful memories.
Continuing to keep you and your family in our prayers.
Posted by: Cay | August 26, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Beautiful child! Mary Ellen, you and your family are in my daily prayers - Hugs for you :)
Posted by: Cheryl M. | August 26, 2009 at 03:21 PM
This is so beautiful, Mary Ellen. We're praying here for your broken heart and the for the whole family.
Posted by: Suzanne Temple | August 26, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Thank you for sharing this with us. It was beautiful. We continue to pray for you and your family. Much love,
Posted by: KC | August 26, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Beautiful, truly beautiful! Thank you for sharing this with us. Your family is in our daily prayers.
Posted by: Heather | August 26, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Thank you Mary Ellen for sharing Ryan with us. Your neice did a fabulous job with the video and I cried through the whole thing. I had no idea I could ever feel so much sorrow from the loss of someone I never even met, but for reasons that make this feel so close to home, I've thought about you and your family often since I first heard the news.
Your articles on special needs and your experiences have been such an encouragement to me in my homeschooling journey with my son, Peter,...I simply could not ever thank you enough for all you've shared.
We'll be praying and thinking about you and Ryan for a long time to come.
Posted by: Susanna Boland | August 26, 2009 at 06:10 PM
This is such a blessing that you are sharing your Ryan with us.
You remain in my constant thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: molly | August 26, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Dear Mary Ellen,
Praying and thinking of you.
I still cry when I think about your loss. So I can't even imagine your own pain and loss still.
God Bless
Posted by: Gae | August 26, 2009 at 06:54 PM
simply beautiful...
thank you for sharing your son with all of us. Our Lady has Ryan in her loving arms until you embrace again.
God bless you!
Posted by: shelly | August 26, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Mary Ellen, this was incredibly moving and beautiful. Thank you. You and your family have been constantly in our thoughts and are ever in our prayers.
Love,
Lissa
Posted by: Lissa | August 26, 2009 at 07:23 PM
We are so very sorry for the loss of your adorable son. We will pray for your family.
God Bless,
Posted by: marie | August 26, 2009 at 09:29 PM
So, so beautiful, Mary Ellen. Thank you for taking the time to share this. I ache for your tremendous loss. You are all in our daily prayers.
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | August 26, 2009 at 09:36 PM
What a beautiful tribute!! I am so sorry for your loss, Mary Ellen. You and yours are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Posted by: Jennifer Brewer | August 26, 2009 at 09:42 PM
What a lovely tribute to Ryan . . . a glimmer into Ryan's brief but blessed life. Thank you for sharing . . . your whole family remains in our prayers. God Bless you all . . .
Posted by: Laura | August 27, 2009 at 12:05 AM
I am so so sorry for your family's loss of such a beautiful child. Ryan's life was so obviously filled with great joy, love and happiness. I am new to the blogging world and homeschooling, and realize that I've never truly met you, but I cannot express the sadness and heartbreak I feel for your loss. I will keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers constantly, and pray that God will bring you peace.
Posted by: Natalie Parker | August 27, 2009 at 02:57 AM
This is beautiful, Mary Ellen. It is apparent that Ryan had a rich and joyful life, wrapped in the love of his family. Thank you for sharing this. We're praying for you all.
Posted by: Lisa Mladinich | August 27, 2009 at 04:29 AM
This is so beautiful. What a wonderful life he had. I am crying as I write this.
You will be in my prayers.
Posted by: Tammy Pieri | August 27, 2009 at 06:06 AM
Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ryan is safely in God's home watching over all of us - what a comfort that is to me.
Posted by: Angela | August 27, 2009 at 07:15 AM
We are praying for your family every day Mary Ellen! May God bless you and comfort you always.
Posted by: jess | August 27, 2009 at 08:00 AM
It is so apparent that he was given a wonderful childhood and that not only was he a gift to his family, but his family was a gift to him. You are all in my prayers.
Posted by: Sharon-shutterbug | August 27, 2009 at 08:24 AM
Sending love and prayers your way!!!
Love
Margot
Posted by: Margot | August 27, 2009 at 08:49 AM