“Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad.”
I thought while Ken was stretching Ryan, I would post an update for father’s day. When I think of father’s day I can’t help but think of the two most important fathers’ in my life, my Dad and my husband.
To my dad…until we are grown we never fully realize how wonderful our father is. We simply take for granted each sacrifice he makes for us in his own loving way. I can’t begin to tell you the many, many things my dad has done for me my whole life. And continues to do. I know I can always call him up and he will be there. Anything I need, he will do. Sometimes I have to laugh when I think of how many times, my dad (and mom) helped me move from apartment to apartment, delivered mattresses from Pennsylvania, carried couches, made my favorite cucumbers, watched my many pets, and even adopted a couple. He’s shared some of the best moments in my life, and comforted me in the worst, but without a doubt…he was always there. He always believed in me. And Dad on this special day, I want you to know I will always be “daddy’s little girl” and you will always be my hero. I love you!
To my hubby…It is impossible to put into words what a remarkable father Ken has been. Throughout our marriage (it will be 25 years next month), Ken’s top priority has always been family, and especially his role of “dad”. The excitement in his eye’s when he watched the birth of our children, that same excitement when they first said “Daddy”, and how I still see that same excitement now when Kari still says “Daddy”. Throughout the years, Ken has devoted his life to the kids. “A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be”. Ken left a very successful career to be a stay-at-home dad. He never once looked back or felt he missed anything. Quite the contrary…he saw himself as the luckiest man in the world. He got to stay at home with his children. He spent countless hours on the fields with both kids. Ken coached little league, softball, girls & boys basketball, and football. Anything to be close to the kids. He couldn’t get enough of it. And the kids felt the same way. One of the most special things about their relationships is how much they enjoy being together. Kari loves spending time with her daddy. The two of them laugh nonstop. She is the glimmer in his eye, his “little girl”. And Ryan looks up to his dad with so much pride. When Ryan shared his dreams for the future with me, he always led with “I want to be a dad, I want to coach my kids”. He wanted to be a “dad”. Yep, just like his “dad”. I also can’t help but think back to the summer of 2009 (our last summer before the brutal attack). A typical day for Ryan was spent working at his job, working out with his dad, evenings with his friends, then coming back home late at night and jumping in to our bed to share his day, talk sports or tell funny stories, before he went to bed. He was 19, yep 19. And then there was the family vacation in Bethany Beach. We spent a week at Ken’s Aunt Doris’ trailer, a few miles from the beach. The best vacation of our lives…we spent the days at the beach, evenings eating way too much food, and played mini-golf daily. Ken and Ryan also went to the public basketball court near the beach for some one-on-one, until Ken went up to block a shot and came back down breaking his ankle. While you would think this would have put a damper on our vacation, it didn’t. Ryan and Ken now had a story to tell…especially the part that Ryan still took the shot and made it! This never slowed Ken down. We still went to the beach and he even played mini-golf. He took Kari shopping and played Frisbee tag. A week later, he moved Ryan in to his first house in Morgantown carrying heavy furniture on that same broken foot. He always put family first.
But, then our world came tumbling down…. and once again, Ken was there. “We Got This” he said. He held me in his arms, our bodies shaking uncontrollably and tears rolling down our eyes, “We Got This”.
I go back to the quote at the beginning… “Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad”. This was (is) the test of his life, but Ken never once hesitated. His son and his family needed him. Now…more than ever. I could never have imagined the degree Ken would be willing to go to for his family. Every day, yes, every day… Ken works with Ryan. He talks to him, he holds him, he kisses him, he works out every inch of his body. Ken can barely move his left hand and his back is in constant pain, but this doesn’t stop him. Not at all, he goes on. Ryan needs stretched, he needs his therapy. “We Got This” He stays with Ryan 24 hours a day. He makes us laugh. He spends hours researching and learning everything he can about the brain. And he takes amazing care of Ryan. Ryan has his teeth brushed every two hours, he prepares the most properly balanced and healthy diet you could ever imagine for Ryan. I could go on and on. But to Ken, he’s just being a “dad”. That’s what a “dad” is and I love him with all my heart. Ken…. “We Got This”…. Happy Father’s Day!
And to all the special dad’s out there… Happy Father’s Day and thanks for all your support and love!
All my love…
Sue
Well, WOW–there just are no other words to write–they are all written here from Sue’s post to this one. It is beyond unconscionable what happened to Ryan and all of you, his family. Still here–i pray for you daily and think of you daily. You’ve taken your pain, Ken, and aimed it toward Ryan’s recovery. Wow. It takes real guts to stand in the face of great adversity.You are an incredible, loving Dad and most courageous. There is a great gift i see here, Ken, after reading Sue’s post–you have ALWAYS been there for your kids from day one, no one can ever take that away from you, the time you had with Ryan before the thugs happened. This knowledge will sustain you now and always. I do believe he knows you are with him and what you are doing for him, he feels your love and dedication. Keep on truckin’. Annie
A late post from me but I visit this blog every day. Happy fathers day and happy birthday Ken. I think of you and your family daily and am so happy to read about the improvements Ryan makes and am thankful that you can find moments of encouragement and strength. Much love to you all!
You can take the armrests for the wheelchair off your wishlist! Hopefully it’ll get to you soon.
Happy Belated Father’s Day Ken. Sue, your beautiful tribute to your dad and husband was extremely touching. I was blessed to be visiting with my father on Sunday. As you know our YGR has a daily prayer email and I post links to Ryan’s blog as well as various others that we are praying for. My parents have been part of this group since it began 8/3/2009 and they have been praying for Ryan since we first heard about him in Feb 2010. To see my dad’s emotion as he come out of the computer room having just read your posting, showed me how much your words penetrated the heart. I like you, have an incredible dad. We are blessed daughters in that respect for sure.
Stay strong and know that so many people lift Ryan and you each and every day in our prayers.
What a lovely, lovely tribute, Sue. Brought tears to my eyes, and warmth to my heart.
I’m in awe of your strength, courage, and fortitude. Thank God for parents like you.
Still here my friend. Always.
Love,
Carla
How fortunate you are, Sue, to have these two amazing men in your life who exemplify every day through their love and self-sacrifice what it truly means to be a father.
Happy Father’s Day.
Happy Father’s Day Ken! You are a great dad. You show us that every single day in your posts. I hope your day with your family was a most memorable one for you.
Sue, Behind every good man is a wonderful woman. You just showed all of us that. Beautifully stated. Thank you!
Love, Peggie
Dear Sue What a beautiful tribute to your Dad And Husband…Hope you all had a good day together.Happy Fathers Day Ken!!!! And Ryan and Kari are blessed with a wonderful Dad ( and Mom too of course) Still here Ryan praying everyday for you to heal Love Gail
Thought of you all alot today wondering how your day was going. Glad you are together for this special day. Sue, always good to hear your perspective, thanks!
Ken, you da man!
Wonderful comments.
Great Dads.
Happy Father’s Day, Ken
You are a great Dad, extraordinaire!
Wow, what a wonderful tribute you both your father and to Ken. Happy Father’s Day Ken.
Beautiful post, Sue!
Ken, Happy Father’s Day to the ultimate dad!
You already know this, but you really did make the right choice when it came to choosing who you would make a family with. I’m amazed at what Ken does day in and day out for Ryan.
~ The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. ~ Felix Adler
Dear Ken,
In an age where true heroes are hard to find, you are the real deal. Thanks for being a hero to so many of us.
We’re all still here, and we’re not going anywhere. Ever.
Love & prayers, always — Paula
Wow, Sue you really know how to pull a heartstring:). I imagine the reason you married a man like Ken was because of the fine example your dad set about what to expect from a man, who would be the father to your children. I wish all of you a loving Father’s Day~
Happy Father’s Day, Ken! And thank you, Sue, for sharing your personal & beautiful thoughts.
Happy Father’s Day to a remarkable person!
Ken you are my hero. Happy Father’s Day to one of the very very best!
Happy fathers day Ken! Kari and Ryan are lucky to have an amazing dad like you