In Honor of Ryan
Posted: September 9th, 2009
Our latest email campaign will not tell you about any fantastic specials at Joyful Noise Books & Gifts. In fact, this email is not about the store at all only that it serves as a vehicle to honor Ryan, his life and his death and because Jesus tells us we are to be His eyes, His ears, His voice here on earth;
This September long weekend was beautiful. We spent it busy with errands, church, friends, meals out, laundry, chores and some relaxation. Almost a perfect weekend.
Late Monday afternoon our phone rang. The voice on the other end was a familiar one, but I was caught off guard by the strain in his normally relaxed, jovial tone. I called my husband over, the phone was for him. Having lived through one or two of these life altering moments I had an uncomfortable, almost nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach. As I listened to one end of the conversation I knew it was bad. Patrick grew more and more quiet and in shock. He learned in that phone call, that a young fellow that he hired and worked with everyday would not be returning to work on Tuesday. He was killed in a car crash on Saturday night.
This amiable, hard-working, 26 year old who’s future was as bright as he was, was gone. Just like that. I knew Patrick liked and respected him alot by the way he spoke of Ryan. Now, he is the son that will never come home, the brother that will never again drive his siblings wherever they needed to be, he died because somebody decided to drink and drive. Because someone did NOT value life. Not their own life, nor anyone else’s.
Instead, yesterday (Tuesday) Patrick gathered up Ryan’s personal belongings, placed them in a box, and handed them over to Ryan’s father who came by to see the place where his son spent so much time. Both wanting and needing to take in the atmosphere that Ryan enjoyed the last few years of his young life. Patrick assured his father that Ryan was well liked and valued by all there. Something a father deserves to know.
So, how do we show value for life?
I suppose regardless of what we profess, our choices and actions will always show the world just how we value our life and the life of another. Or not, as in the case of drinking and driving.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this for Ryan and all those who left us at far too young an age. And Ryan…thank you for the person you were. I am living with someone who did value you and whose life was affected by having you in it. May you rest in God’s eternal peace.
God Bless,
Peggy Maas
7600 Responses to “In Honor of Ryan”
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September 9th, 2009 at 08:43 PM
Dear Peggy, I was deeply touched by your tribute to Ryan. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends. As for the driver of the vehicle, he or she will have to live with the horror of their irresponsibility. By now, you think people would have learned that even one drink changes their ability to operate their vehicle safely. I also extend my sympathy to you and Patrick, it sounds like Ryan was more than an employee. May God Bless and help you through your loss. Rita
September 9th, 2009 at 08:50 PM
How thoughtfully loving. I shall also remember his soul in prayer.
September 9th, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Dear Peggy, Thank you for writing about Ryan; I didn’t know him, but you and Patrick both respected and liked him and for me that’s enough. Life is difficult, accidents happen at the drop of a hat, even when we pay attention and are careful. Why then enable accidents to happen by not abstaining from alcohol when driving? Why such disrespect for the life of others? Whether we want it or not we ARE our brothers’ keepers. How can someone live a peaceful life knowing he/she was the cause of another’s death or injury, and the years of pain an anguish that person’s family will have to endure? How can one sleep at night? Like you, I pray for the repose of Ryan’s soul and for the Holy Spirit to bring comfort to his family. And I pray also for whoever caused the accident: may that person feel true remorse, learn a valuable lesson and stop drinking and driving. May God have mercy on them all. Love and prayers. Odete
September 9th, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Hi Peggy! Thank you for the kind words, although I did not know Ryan , but through your words feel I do.I will keep Ryans family in my prayers as I am walking on St.James Way starting next week.As I have all of my loved ones and friends with me on this walk I will be thinking of all of you and carry you in my heart.God Bless Ellen Schuetze
September 9th, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Peggy and Patrick,
We are so sorry to hear of this tragic loss of a young life. We will be sure to pray for Ryan and all who were touched by his death at daily Mass this week.
Fran & Don Jeandron
September 9th, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Dear Peggy and Patrick, My deepest condolences at the loss of this friend, co-worker and lovely young person. I am sure he will be terribly missed and I am sorry for the sadness this brings. May God give you peace remembering that he loves you, Ryan and his family. Praise Jesus for his Mercy. I said the chaplet of Divine Mercy for Ryan. God Bless and Hugs to you. Jane
September 9th, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Oh my goodness. What can I say. I have children and what happens to them happens to me. God Bless Ryan and his loving family.
Love,
Lilly
September 9th, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Hi Peggy and Patrick.
It is so sad when a vibrant young life is taken so needlessly. But you both know all about that!
Please know that we will pray for Ryan’s family and you all try to make sense of God’s plan.
Love you both.
Jennifer
September 9th, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Oh, Peggy. A heart wrenching tragedy. I will keep Ryan, his friends and family in my prayers.
Janet
September 9th, 2009 at 10:48 PM
My prayer is for Patrick and Ryan and Ryan’s family. May they all be able to come to grips with this tragedy in their own way, and in their own time. One minute at a time, one hour, one day, at a time.As much, or as little as they can bear.
With empathy and love,
Your friend,Rick
September 9th, 2009 at 11:03 PM
“Hi Peggy, Please pass on our very heart felt sympathies to Patrick, Ryans family. After reading your “Honor of Ryan”, I know why I donate to MADD each year. So sad. Words seem so empty sometimes.
God Bless, Susan & Bruce “
September 9th, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Hi Peggy, thank you for sharing this with me. Vanessa and I will say a prayer for Ryan’s soul, and for his family. And for the other driver too!
September 9th, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Thank you for sharing Peggy. Both John and I will keep Ryan and his family in our prayers. We pray that God will give Ryan’s family the strength to bear this terrible loss.
God Bless, Lorraine and John
September 9th, 2009 at 11:42 PM
Dear Parents of Ryan and to his siblings, exended family & friends’
Sorry sorry to hear of your loss. I know somwwhat of what you are going though right now as my husband & I lost our 2 children 7 months apart last year. Ryan is now an angel in Heaven who is looking after you all. He knows that your sorrow must be great but he wants to dry your tears, just as he will always be apart of your thoughts & prayers, you are too, apart of his.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you now.
September 10th, 2009 at 02:17 AM
dear Peggy, thank you for sharing the sad news. please pass on our condolences and we will keep Ryan and his family in our prayers . we will offer mass for him tomorrow morning. eugene and dorle
September 10th, 2009 at 04:26 AM
That was a beautiful write up about Ryan. It is always heartbreaking when someone close to us passes on. But God has called him home. His body is gone but his spirit is very much alive. I shall remember him in my prayers. Take care and God bless.
September 10th, 2009 at 05:13 AM
Dear Peggy & Patrick, Thank you for letting us know this sad news. As we know, it is at these times we need Our Lord most, and find comfort in His embrace, I hope Patrick is feeling this at this difficult time. I will pray also that Ryan’s family will draw closer to Christ. We will pray for the repose of Ryan’s soul. Love Jacky & family
September 10th, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Dear Peggy: So sorry to hear about this. Will keep Ryan in prayer. I am in Australia still, with my sister and other members of my family. A gift from God. See you when I get back. love & God bless. Marilyn
September 10th, 2009 at 05:24 PM
For what its worth…. have Patrick communicate our best wishes and promise of prayers to the family
Bruce and Sue
September 10th, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Hi, Peggy:
We sympathize with your loss. May Ryan’s soul rest in peace. God bless his family. God bless you and Patrick. Keep up your good works!
Best regards, Teresita “Tisha” Nixon, M.A.
September 10th, 2009 at 05:27 PM
I trust that Jesus’ arms were open wide to welcome Ryan to his eternal home.
At a time in my life when I could not understand why a person I had loved and who was what society would call “a good man”had died before his time, I had the good fortune to read a passage from Isaiah which gave me some comfort. see Isaiah 57: 1 My prayers are with Ryan’s family, PAtrick and his staff.
God bless all
September 10th, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Thanks Peggy for sharing. I will pray for his soul and all family members.
September 11th, 2009 at 03:26 AM
Dear Peggy and Patrick,
A beautiful tribute to Ryan. May his family find peace and love in their hearts. Keeping the family, you and Patrick in my prayers at this difficult time.
September 13th, 2009 at 12:42 AM
I am so very, very sorry for the loss of Ryan. I cried when I read this and I don’t even know him. I just know through your words what a wonderful man he was. All will be in my prayers.
God Bless, Charmaine
September 13th, 2009 at 12:47 AM
A very beautiful statement of love for Ryan…your feelings come through very clearly…he is at peace…there is great strength in that.
Love as ever, G.
September 14th, 2009 at 03:47 AM
Dear Peggy and Pat,
...We didn’t know this young man but feel very honored to read this memorial to him…May God bless Ryan’s family…Can we ask anymore from God than to be worthy enough to be missed by friends when we are no longer on earth.
Sincerely, Connie-Lou
September 14th, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Your email was beautifully written. Thank you for sharing with us. What a tragedy. I’m sure it was a difficult week for Patrick – I know how co-workers become a kind of family to us. Please pass on my love and prayers.