I was so caught off-guard when I read this touching passage. I knew, right away, it was worth sharing.
Hope is the dream of a soul awake
Last night we had the honor of meeting Ken Diviney, Ryan Diviney’s father. The chairs of our event were invited to a dinner with Ken, Peter Walsh and Ken Greenblatt. Tomorrow is our big fundraiser, the “Declutter for the Divineys” yard sale.
There is something important missing from all of the flyers, videos, newsletters, Facebook posts, news articles, pleas, etc, that circulate around Ryan Diviney and his family. No, it’s not the story behind this senseless tragedy, nor is it the event details, those have been covered…….it’s the why. Why has this tragedy not only touched so many people in our community but why has it inspired so many to action?
Well….what’s important in life? Call me goofy, syrupy, looney (I am by the way all of the above), but the answer is “love.” When you see a father, a mother, a sister and a brother with so much hope, love and determination, it’s hard not to rally behind them. One may say they are doing what “any parent would do,” but I’m not so sure. I think there are many who would give up, let others care for their son, not trust themselves, not trust their hearts, not believe in their son’s strength…..but this father, this mother, this sister….they do believe. Do they have moments of despair? I cannot even dare to imagine to what extent, I wouldn’t even dare to say I can relate in any way, nor would I guess what is in their hearts, but I would say this to them…..”you are responsible for the community rallying around your son Ryan” because if you dare to hope, if you dare to believe….then so will we.
For some of you who read this, tomorrow is just another day. It is also an opportunity to help give this family the resources they need to dare to try, to hope, to continue to believe.
Please consider joining us Saturday, April 9th. 8am – 3pm. Ashburn Village Lakes.
Hope is the dream of a soul awake.
Gloria Gallagher says
Beautifully stated. We were at the “declutter” event today. We were so happy to see so many other people!
Gail Doyle says
Beautiful and so true,…We’re all here for you Ryan. Get better soon Love you
Vicky Scott says
It is not self-sacrifice to die protecting that which you value: If the value is great enough you do not care to exist without it. This applies to any alleged sacrifice for those one loves. Ayn Rand
Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion, and empathy. Dean Koontz
Jo Hobbs says
Thank you, Vicky, for posting these quotes. They are quite meaningful to many of us.
Dianne says
WOW! Ken, I thought you had a way with words, but Lorraine is right there with you too. She doesn’t compete with your words, she compliments them. We all love you and Ryan and your family. Truly we do. Many of us love in different ways but it’s all sincere and true from the heart. Please accept that pure love and the caring and the true outpouring of community. Our community knows no geographical boundaries. It reaches as far as our love reaches — from each of us to Ryan. God bless you on this beautiful day, and may our community continue to thrive.
Jo Hobbs says
HOPE — Not just another buzzword! It’s our word for Ryan. Still here with hope, faith, love and prayers.