A Family's Reflections

Friday, February 17, 2006

Ryan's Birthday

The day was so bittersweet but it was a time to celebrate Ryan's birth and all the really good times. To think back on Ryan's birth goes back to 1973 in Frederick Maryland when he entered this world at a whopping 9 Pounds and 14 Onces. Ryan was almost 27inches long, even at birth he was long and lean. We moved back to Texas when Ryan was 3 and to Pflugerville when he was 4. Ryan loved home and family. To celebrate his 33rd birthday yesterday we as a family went to the cemetary and his neice Jillian, nephew Riley and Lauren and Katie daughters of Lisa released 33 blue and yellow balloons colors of Notre Dame. We said a prayer and told the kids "Uncle Rhino" stories. Although they didn't understand everything we felt the symbolism for them was important. After a time we left and it was hard knowing that this was the type of birthday we would now celebrate. We went to dinner and then home. It was 139 days since Ryan died and in some ways it seems like yesterday and in others ways it was like so long ago. Either way I miss him so.

posted by Michelle at 20:48:45 | 1 comments

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

The Yrizar Brothers

I am so happy to have connected with the Yrizar brothrs again. They are a lovely family we met in our BMX racing days. The boys were great friends and Ryan admired their racing abilities. We attended a race in their hometown and felt much love among their family. Jorge told me the sad news of the loss of his father on Sunday. He was a fine man who loved his sons. I remember watching him as his boys raced you could see the pride he had in them. Mr. Yrizar was kind, generous and loving. It shows in his fine sons. I extend my deepest sympathy to the family as we know first hand to lose your father or son is devestating. I will keep the whole family in my prayers.

posted by Michelle at 20:11:19 | 3 comments

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

His Mexican Brother

Dario and Beto Jaquez are such great guys. Ryan and Dario shared a room when Dario lived with us and attended Pflugerville High School. The guys raced and were very close friends. We visited Mexico and attended a race there and Mr. and Mrs. Jaquez treated us like royality. We so much enjoyed our visit with them. Dario bought his first car and dated cute girls and was loved by everyone. Ryan called Dario his "Mexican Brother". They went everywhere together. Ryan truely loved Dario and his family. He found out about Ryan's death today and called me and was so sad. My heart broke for him and his grief. Thinking of Ryan being gone is still such a shock for me. Each moring I wake up and have to tell myself over again that he is gone. Dario promised to visit us and we look forward to having him.

posted by Michelle at 19:50:21 | 0 comments

Monday, February 13, 2006

Chris Kuempel

Chris has been staying in touch. He was always the nicest guy. He gave Ryans website address to a co-worker who has a brother with Bipolar Disorder. I am so thrilled that it helped. That is the purpose of this website to inform and remember Ryan. Chris has shared many of his old BMX zines and photos. I am so thankful to him and to all of you who have kept in touch. If you have not contacted me don't be shy I would love to hear from you.

posted by Michelle at 21:16:36 | 0 comments

Friday, February 10, 2006

His Season

Every year about this time the funny kid side of Ryan would surface. He always looked forward to his Birthday with joy and fun. Although he had something in mind he always liked a surprize. Each year since he was twelve Ryan and I would joke he would say "Do you know what next Thursday is??" I would get a puzzled look on my face like I had no idea. It began a week of banter about his birthday. He would pass by my desk and hold up the 5 fingers five days before his birthday and the count down began. The last few years we took him to dinner and usually he had already gotten or "cashed in" his birthday wish. It was always great fun and he enjoyed the attention. Ryan loved to be the center of the party. We had an ongoing secret gift. Each year I would sneak him a $100 bill. Sometime durning the day I would "palm" to him the money and he would wink at me. Money that he did not have to account for to anyone. Just to spend on himself! It was NOT for the light bill or gas for his truck it was money to just do something for HIM. I don't think the money was the deal really. I think it was the fun of our secret, the pass off and knowing that was "our deal" that made it special. I shall miss that this year.

posted by Michelle at 08:06:35 | 1 comments

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Seventy Years

Ryan, I visited you today and told you about this being your grandparents 70 wedding anniversary. I was feeling sad today
missing you and still wondering why. I know for a fact that you were loved by your parents and sister by how much you are missed every day that you are gone. We grieve you today and always will. Your light still shines in hour hearts.

posted by Michelle at 20:38:13 | 0 comments

Friday, February 03, 2006

Farren's Writings

If you are here and have a moment don't miss Farrens tribute to her brother. This well written and moving piece brought me to my knees. Her love for her brother shines in every paragraph. It is truly a lovely piece.

posted by Michelle at 22:15:33 | 0 comments

Monday, January 30, 2006

Picture Uploads

Ok I am about ready to get going again on uploading photos. It is a long and tedious job but well worth it as we have had over 3000 seperate visitors to date. I am amazed. We have had many emails from folks who are getting good information for friends and family from this website. So, my promise to do more this week and every week!!

posted by Michelle at 20:21:50 | 0 comments

Friday, January 27, 2006

Star Wars

Riley was sick this week. Farren Ryan's sister had to bring him to the office to finsih a bit of work she had to do. As he was laying on the couch we had a pop station on the radio. There was NO REASON for the Star Wars theme song to be on!! This just happened to be Rileys "thing" right now. Why would a pop station play this song?? Riley jumped up and said "Uncle Rhino" is having them play it for me because I am sick!! Farren and I looked at each other in shock. Maybe it was!!

posted by Michelle at 20:40:04 | 0 comments

Friday, January 27, 2006

Our Friends

Ron and Nena Dube are the most amazing people. In Ryan's honor Ron and Nena have ordered a wonderful bench with a plaque for it. We will be taking it to Burning Tree Recovery Ranch and placing it under a big tree. There folks can sit and think about a sweet young man who suffered with Bipolar and lost his life to this terrible disease. What do you say to a friend who honors your son in this way. You say Thank You and We love you. Your kindness to us will never be forgotten.

posted by Michelle at 20:22:58 | 0 comments



Previous Posts One Month Left Writing More Mother and Fathers Day The Butterfly I saw a boy Mimi Gone One Year on the 6th Video of Meadow Brook Just Finding Out Ryan's Birthday The Yrizar Brothers Archives September 2007 February 2007 June 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005	A Family's Reflections Friday, February 17, 2006 Ryan's Birthday The day was so bittersweet but it was a time to celebrate Ryan's birth and all the really good times. To think back on Ryan's birth goes back to 1973 in Frederick Maryland when he entered this world at a whopping 9 Pounds and 14 Onces. Ryan was almost 27inches long, even at birth he was long and lean. We moved back to Texas when Ryan was 3 and to Pflugerville when he was 4. Ryan loved home and family. To celebrate his 33rd birthday yesterday we as a family went to the cemetary and his neice Jillian, nephew Riley and Lauren and Katie daughters of Lisa released 33 blue and yellow balloons colors of Notre Dame. We said a prayer and told the kids "Uncle Rhino" stories. Although they didn't understand everything we felt the symbolism for them was important. After a time we left and it was hard knowing that this was the type of birthday we would now celebrate. We went to dinner and then home. It was 139 days since Ryan died and in some ways it seems like yesterday and in others ways it was like so long ago. Either way I miss him so. posted by Michelle at 20:48:45 \| 1 comments Wednesday, February 15, 2006 The Yrizar Brothers I am so happy to have connected with the Yrizar brothrs again. They are a lovely family we met in our BMX racing days. The boys were great friends and Ryan admired their racing abilities. We attended a race in their hometown and felt much love among their family. Jorge told me the sad news of the loss of his father on Sunday. He was a fine man who loved his sons. I remember watching him as his boys raced you could see the pride he had in them. Mr. Yrizar was kind, generous and loving. It shows in his fine sons. I extend my deepest sympathy to the family as we know first hand to lose your father or son is devestating. I will keep the whole family in my prayers. posted by Michelle at 20:11:19 \| 3 comments Wednesday, February 15, 2006 His Mexican Brother Dario and Beto Jaquez are such great guys. Ryan and Dario shared a room when Dario lived with us and attended Pflugerville High School. The guys raced and were very close friends. We visited Mexico and attended a race there and Mr. and Mrs. Jaquez treated us like royality. We so much enjoyed our visit with them. Dario bought his first car and dated cute girls and was loved by everyone. Ryan called Dario his "Mexican Brother". They went everywhere together. Ryan truely loved Dario and his family. He found out about Ryan's death today and called me and was so sad. My heart broke for him and his grief. Thinking of Ryan being gone is still such a shock for me. Each moring I wake up and have to tell myself over again that he is gone. Dario promised to visit us and we look forward to having him. posted by Michelle at 19:50:21 \| 0 comments Monday, February 13, 2006 Chris Kuempel Chris has been staying in touch. He was always the nicest guy. He gave Ryans website address to a co-worker who has a brother with Bipolar Disorder. I am so thrilled that it helped. That is the purpose of this website to inform and remember Ryan. Chris has shared many of his old BMX zines and photos. I am so thankful to him and to all of you who have kept in touch. If you have not contacted me don't be shy I would love to hear from you. posted by Michelle at 21:16:36 \| 0 comments Friday, February 10, 2006 His Season Every year about this time the funny kid side of Ryan would surface. He always looked forward to his Birthday with joy and fun. Although he had something in mind he always liked a surprize. Each year since he was twelve Ryan and I would joke he would say "Do you know what next Thursday is??" I would get a puzzled look on my face like I had no idea. It began a week of banter about his birthday. He would pass by my desk and hold up the 5 fingers five days before his birthday and the count down began. The last few years we took him to dinner and usually he had already gotten or "cashed in" his birthday wish. It was always great fun and he enjoyed the attention. Ryan loved to be the center of the party. We had an ongoing secret gift. Each year I would sneak him a $100 bill. Sometime durning the day I would "palm" to him the money and he would wink at me. Money that he did not have to account for to anyone. Just to spend on himself! It was NOT for the light bill or gas for his truck it was money to just do something for HIM. I don't think the money was the deal really. I think it was the fun of our secret, the pass off and knowing that was "our deal" that made it special. I shall miss that this year. posted by Michelle at 08:06:35 \| 1 comments Sunday, February 05, 2006 Seventy Years Ryan, I visited you today and told you about this being your grandparents 70 wedding anniversary. I was feeling sad today missing you and still wondering why. I know for a fact that you were loved by your parents and sister by how much you are missed every day that you are gone. We grieve you today and always will. Your light still shines in hour hearts. posted by Michelle at 20:38:13 \| 0 comments Friday, February 03, 2006 Farren's Writings If you are here and have a moment don't miss Farrens tribute to her brother. This well written and moving piece brought me to my knees. Her love for her brother shines in every paragraph. It is truly a lovely piece. posted by Michelle at 22:15:33 \| 0 comments Monday, January 30, 2006 Picture Uploads Ok I am about ready to get going again on uploading photos. It is a long and tedious job but well worth it as we have had over 3000 seperate visitors to date. I am amazed. We have had many emails from folks who are getting good information for friends and family from this website. So, my promise to do more this week and every week!! posted by Michelle at 20:21:50 \| 0 comments Friday, January 27, 2006 Star Wars Riley was sick this week. Farren Ryan's sister had to bring him to the office to finsih a bit of work she had to do. As he was laying on the couch we had a pop station on the radio. There was NO REASON for the Star Wars theme song to be on!! This just happened to be Rileys "thing" right now. Why would a pop station play this song?? Riley jumped up and said "Uncle Rhino" is having them play it for me because I am sick!! Farren and I looked at each other in shock. Maybe it was!! posted by Michelle at 20:40:04 \| 0 comments Friday, January 27, 2006 Our Friends Ron and Nena Dube are the most amazing people. In Ryan's honor Ron and Nena have ordered a wonderful bench with a plaque for it. We will be taking it to Burning Tree Recovery Ranch and placing it under a big tree. There folks can sit and think about a sweet young man who suffered with Bipolar and lost his life to this terrible disease. What do you say to a friend who honors your son in this way. You say Thank You and We love you. Your kindness to us will never be forgotten. posted by Michelle at 20:22:58 \| 0 comments