Happy birthday to my incredibly strong and amazing big brother.
You were attacked when you were 20 and today is your 25th birthday. Your will to live inspires me and so many others every single day. It’s unfair you can’t celebrate and party for your birthday (because we all know you would probably be beer-bonging right now.. or yelling at me for being bad luck for the Redskins).
Funny how those are the things I miss the most.
I feel selfish admitting that it’s days like these — like your birthday — when I’m the sad one, because I wish we could be bonding together and creating memories. I look up to you so much and was so happy when you told me you wanted me to go to WVU with you. We were finally growing up and just getting closer than ever before you were brutally beaten [by Austin Vantrease and Jonathan May, both from Newark, Delaware]. Not only have you missed out on so much these past five years, but so have I. I’ve missed out on the brother and sister bond. I’ve missed getting to go to school with you. I’ve missed celebrating holidays with you. I’ve missed your advice. And your laugh. And your sense of humor. And having a sibling there for me when times get tough.
I miss everything about you Ryan..
And even though I am so happy to say you’ve made it to your 25 birthday, it still rips me apart every single day that this happened to you. But, I promise you, I will never leave your side. I love you so much and will try to make this day as special for you as possible. Happy birthday Ryan… Me, mom and dad, and so many others love you so much and can’t wait for the day we see that squinty-eyed smile again.
Karyn Mandracchia Ahern via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan !! May God Bless you always <3 <3
Mary T Fugo George via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan,,,,,
Anna says
Happy Birthday Ryan, always on my mind…..
Jerome Kyler Beightol via Facebook says
Happy Birthday, Ryan! You are an incredible inspiration to all. Your family has an indomitable will and their strength is something special to witness. God Bless the Diviney family!!!
Monica Skinner via Facebook says
There are no words to describe this tragedy. God is merciful and omnipresent. HE is also justice. Happy bday to Ryan! Strength and peace to his family. Mon
Justin Dakota Greene via Facebook says
Happy Birthday, Ryan.
Jennifer paynter says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!! Hoping this year is better than last in your recovery. Always praying and hoping that you wake up…xoxo
Cheryl Whittaker via Facebook says
Praying for you all
Team Taylor via Facebook says
Sending Ryan and all of his family peace, love, light and even if it is a simple one some wish come true for this amazing family and most especially Ryan. My heart goes out to you.
Tony says
Happy Birthday Ryan. You family loves you and we are praying for you.
Josh says
Happy birthday, Ryan. You have a great family.
Beverly Vogel Cook via Facebook says
I think of you often, Ryan,you and your family has captured my soul…I send Love and Light….
Sheila York via Facebook says
Happy Birthday!
Kim McLeod via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!!
Joy Beales Smith via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan! You are loved and prayed for more than you’ll ever know!
Mary Sheehannotley via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan,I will keep you in my prayers,miracles do happen,so my wish is that one will happen for you,God Bless…
Sandy Martin says
Happy Birthday!!!!
Lori Langpaul Beebe via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!! Charlie is coming up for a visit to NOVA soon and plans to come visit you all. xoxo
Fernanda Jones via Facebook says
Happy birthday!!!! 🙂
Elizabeth Storms via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan !!!!
Rita says
We love your brother and will never leave him or your family either, Kari. Stay strong, Divineys, and keep fighting, Ryan!
Debbie Chikosky Parsons via Facebook says
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Stacy L. Kennedy Greaser via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!
Mountain View via Facebook says
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Marsha Cook via Facebook says
happy birthday!!!!!!
Bonnie Sload Tyrrell via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan. God Bless you and your awesome family.
clofton1 says
Happy Birthday Ryan!
Becky Daniel VanDyke via Facebook says
Happy birthday Ryan! Love and prayers from MT 🙂
Chris Ward via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan
Tammy Webster Henry via Facebook says
Happy Birthday, Ryan!
Jenny Luxton via Facebook says
Happy birthday ryan!
Sharon Petriello Meier via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!
Amy Williams Kyler via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!!!
Karen Whited Barnette via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan.
Cathy Martin Gunter via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan .. God Bless you
Elizabeth Esper via Facebook says
Happy B-day!
Caitlin says
Happy birthday, Ryan! Even in England, we are thinking about you.
Pat Dyer via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan.
Debbie Bloom via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan wishes love and prayers
Chuck Butts via Facebook says
My daughter went to WVU with Ryan and was good friends with him. Happy Birthday to Ryan and may God bless this extraordinary family.
Amber Prescott via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!
Tina Sumner via Facebook says
Happy Birthday to a very special young man….prayers to you as always, and love to your family!
Melody Stanley Exline via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!
Paula Yocom via Facebook says
Happy Birthday to an amazing person!! Ryan, you are the best of the best!!!
Sue Dayton via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!
Jeremy Sutton via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!! Your Family Rocks!! and that is what family is all about.
Paula Dundas Hamrick via Facebook says
Happy birthday Ryan. God bless your precious heart.
Kids Prayer Network via Facebook says
Happy birthday, Ryan!
Michelle Carlino via Facebook says
happy happy birthday Ryan!!!
Sue Bennett Markley via Facebook says
I had seen a post from your dad that Ryan was to have his surgery to put the plate back in his head. Has that happened yet— just wondered how he was doing with that by now.
Sue Bennett Markley via Facebook says
I certainly hope you will in time, see that squinty grin –which looked like “his trademark smile”. Didn’t know your brother but we love in Grafton ,WV which is 30 miles from where you two went to school. He’s always in my prayers. I have a grandson with a traumatic brain injury from a car accident who has a little 3 yr . son. We know what you’re going through. Prayers for you, and your mom and dad also.
Linda Muroff via Facebook says
Happy birthday Ryan☝
Paul Rapsawich via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!!!!!! Stay strong…you’re always in our thoughts and prayers.
Becky Rote Hawk via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!
Felecia Ott via Facebook says
Happy Birthday!
PK Miller says
Happy birthday, Ryan. You SHOULD be partying, celebrating the milestone with your friends as I did when I was 25 (1968, alas!). You should be playing beer pong or something, even, perhaps, starting a family. I, too, am struck by the unfairness. It’s easy to be glib & say Life is unfair but that’s unfair. We are struck by the global impact of Ryan’s assault & disability. You, Kari, your parents, extended family, Ryan’s friends, your friends… I wish I had some words to ease the hurt for all of you. We hope this blog, not only your postings, Divney family, but our comments, bring some comfort.
I will say again, no one knows what Ryan may comprehend but be unable to express. He feels your LOVE. I hope you read these postings and, he can feel the love and support from so many people. Maybe the “good” part of this is bringing together so many disparate people from across the globe. People whom Ryan and you will never meet, people whose lives would never otherwise intersect w/Ryan. Tim & I were pondering things this w/e. It would’ve been the 58th birthday of a good friend who died a year ago after battling a virulent form of pancreatic cancer, leaving his wife & 2 children on the cusp of adolescence. Again, perhaps, the “good” part is the outpouring of LOVE. Love sustains us when everything else fails. We are certain Ryan feels your love and that of so many of us brought together by this unspeakable tragedy. We hope that sustains you not just today on Ryan’s birthday but throughout the coming days.
Yesterday, at our monthly Vintage Pride Luncheon, an attorney specializing in estate planning gave a presentation on the topic of estate planning for the LGBT community. Tim & I confess, we’ve put that off forever. “Sometime soon, dear.” “Yeah, absolutely, soon, dear!!!” Thinking about what happened to Ryan coupled w/this attorney’s presentation has prompted us to take care of this, ASAP because we just don’t know. NONE of us knows. Happy birthday, Ryan. Feel the love and care from thousands of people. That transcends human words and we pray it transcends the pain. God be with you all.
As verbosely as ever, PK Miller, Tim Montgomery.
Alice Bird via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan from Warner Robins, Ga. GOD loves you.
Rita Brogan Lundstrum via Facebook says
You’re family is such an inspiration in my life.
Sandy Price via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan!
Carly Alana Zarzycki Richards via Facebook says
Happy 25th birthday Ryan!! We all love you xo
Jenny Velasquez via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan !! Stay strong and God Speed healing
Brenda Livingpositive via Facebook says
HAPPY Birthday Ryan
Bonnie C Perkins via Facebook says
Happy birthday Ryan.
Sharon Vaughn Lighton via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan.
Terry Kegley via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan
JoAnn Caudle via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan! Always stay strong!
Sam J Davis via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan
Mandy N Sean Swiger via Facebook says
Happy birthday! !!! You are an inspiration to many! !
Gail Doyle says
Beautiful message from a loving sister!
Patti Shelton McComb via Facebook says
Happy Birthday Ryan.. what an amazing family you have!
Theresa Keating says
Happy Birthday, dear Ryan!! May our dear Lord bless you! xo