Chatting With Ry

I find myself recalling the conversations I had with Ryan a year ago as we approach the one year anniversary of his death. The last few weeks of his life he called me everyday for encouragement on his new health plan that he and Arianne were doing. They were working out twice a day and eating healthy. Each day he would call and say day 3, day 7, and let me know how great he felt while not drinking and getting in shape.

A couple weeks earlier he had run into Moss and Colter from his high school days. Back then Ry was the skinny, fit guy and they both ragged him for his beer gut. So he took the challenge and began his fitness phase. I loved it because he called to check in everyday. I am grateful for all the pictures Arianne took of him the last weeks before he died. He was more willing to be photographed because he was feeling good about himself. A few days before he died he even gave up his cigarettes.

The day he died we had a wonderful conversation about how well his father-in-law, Frank, was doing with work and staying sober. I know his success encouraged Ryan that he could conquer his addictions like Frank had.

We spent April Fool's Day chatting several times as he tried to come up with the perfect prank for his dad. He wanted so much to catch his dad off guard. I loved those talks as we conspired for just the right gotcha that Ron would believe. We never did come up with one but those calls scheming will forever make me smile.

Since my birthday was on Easter, I spoke with Ry several times that day too. He was always so concerned that we knew how much he loved us and how important we were to him. That day he was sad to not be with Elissa hiding and hunting Easter eggs and regretting not being with us for Natalie and my birthday breakfast. No way would we have been going out to eat if Ry was here, he would have insisted on cooking to spoil us.

Of course he shared all his dreams for the new job at Gunther Toody's and just knew he would be running the place before long. Ry always dreamed big. But with his personality he could have charmed anyone into letting him do anything.

I am enjoying my memories but oh how I miss my son.

In Him,
Joyful
3-29-11