Remembering Ryan
Remembering Ryan
... thoughts and messages for and about Ryan
If you have any thoughts, messages, letters, poems etc. that you would like to contribute, please e-mail them to: contact@rememberryanfoundation.org.
A poem written to Ryan by his grandfather- "Pa"
Ry-Ry,
I remember the little things like…
Calling you “Bubba” that first year.
Singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” to get you to sleep.
Buying out the entire stock of eggnog
at Tops Tonawanda for you.
Watching the tapes of “Bear in the Big Blue House” with you over and over again
Playing “Don’t take off that sock!”
Your fascination with my light-up wristwatch.
Your fingerprints all over my glasses.
Turning up the volume whenever “Shout” was playing.
The “Healthy Snacks” toy.
How much you liked being on the kitchen table.
Your “frowny face” look.
The musical toys,
the telephones,
the remotes,
the CD players.
And I remember big things like…
your unbelievable capacity to endure pain,
your courage,
your strength,
your pure goodness.
I remember
the impact you had on anyone
fortunate enough to have spent time with you.
I remember…
and I miss you, buddy.
Love, Pa
Mommy and her Little Angel.
A poem read by Ryan's mom, Alex, for the KISS-FM radio-thon to benefit the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo.
LITTLE ANGELS
When God calls little children to dwell with him above,
We mortals sometimes question the wisdom of His love.
For no heartache compares with the death of one small child,
Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to his fold,
So He picks a rosebud, before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them,
and so He takes but a few
To make the land of heaven
more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult
still somehow we must try,
the saddest word mankind knows
will always be "Goodbye."
So when a little child departs,
we who are left behind
Must realize God loves children,
angels are hard to find.
- Author Unknown
To Ryan
Your personality was huge
It was bigger than you
We miss your sweet "Hi!"
And your friendship so true
Your smile was so pure
The slyest of grins
You taught us to laugh
Holding nothing within
We'll remember your laughter
And your playing with your feet!
Your expressions so animated
And shouting "BOO" as a treat
Your struggles were many
Your accomplishments well earned
You taught us to celebrate
Life's corners we turn
Every word that you spoke
Your music, your games
Echo sweet in our minds
But the pain is the same
We can't help but wonder
Where you'd be today
What things you'd be doing
If you hadn't gone away
And the battles that held you
And kept you from staying
No longer can stop you
From running and playing
You left without warning
No chance for goodbyes
But someday we'll see you
And hear your sweet "Hi"
How blessed we have been
To have known you so long
What a privilege it is
To learn from your song
The lessons you taught us
The joy that you gave
The memories you left us
Will never ever fade...
With love,
Jess, Eileen & Lisa
