It was just one week ago that Sue and I sat in the waiting room as Ryan’s femur was operated on. Except for the news coming from an ancient wall-mounted television, the room was quiet. We had the place to ourselves. Knowing his pain was close to lessening allowed me to turn my thoughts in on myself. My sadness must have been apparent because Sue asked me what was bothering me. I told her I was just sick about Ryan’s injury and felt there must have been something I could have done to prevent it.
She agreed, there was. We could just not keep him loose. We could leave his muscles in spasm and his body stiff as a steel rod. Yes, there will always be risk and, like it or not, it’s unavoidable if he is to physically heal. Then she said “Without you, Ryan would never be as healthy as he is. You are not to blame. You are the reason Ryan is as healthy as he is.” Although completely out-of-character, she continued, “The only ones to blame are those jerks who surrounded him and beat him. They are responsible for everything”. She said no more.
Now, for Sue, saying the word “jerks” is akin to most of us saying “bastards” or “assholes”, or worse. I could see the disdain in her eyes. This she couldn’t hide. It was like a flash photo into her essence. A soul that is beautiful and pristine, except for this. In my mind I chuckled as I thought, “Yes indeed, Sue, they are poopie-faces. A trait clearly passed on from their parents”.
I can hear their doctor’s voice play in my head… “I’m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Asshole. You’re son has PFS, that’s short for Poopie-Face Syndrome. It’s a genetic mutation passed on through both parents carrying the recessive gene. There’s no known cure and is quite common in children such as this that also are afflicted with ‘Shit for Brains’. It might be best to keep him isolated, as he is inclined to violence. With any luck, he will not acquire your leather face syndrome (LFS), but we normally don’t see this until mid-life”. I then imagine the Vantrese parents blaming the doctor for their son’s abnormality and the May parents just not giving a damn.
Despite finding myself utterly hilarious, without warning my mental “switch” flipped to anger. By George, Sue was right. It is all their fault. Thank goodness for anger. It sustains me. It’s the fire that must be lit under my sorry ass to drive me from pity. Seriously, I’m addicted to it and the supply is unlimited.
Pittsburgh Here says
If I said one word, I think everyone who is reading this will know exactly what I mean…and that word is: KARMA. It’s a beautiful thing!!!
Your new website layout is as amazing as you and Sue and Kari are!!
The Colangelis says
We are all sorry for what those guys did to Ryan. A senseles act. We thank God that you are his father and are doing all the things you do to provide him the best care. We contine our prayers for Ryan to continually get better; and also pray for God to continue helping you too. God bless you.
Keri Dezell says
GOOOOO KEN GOOOOOO!
Release, release , release… and then rise baby rise.
Sue is absolutely right all the way around! You two make a perfect team.
In the pit of my stomach I am sick for what you must endure daily, but, even among it all, the Diviney Family’s character and strength shine through brilliantly.
YOU ARE VICTORIOUS AS A RESULT.
Your choice of words and the visual that they create have me in hysterics.
GO DIVINEY FAMILY GO!!!!
Love you all always, forever, and until.
With love and in prayer,
Keri, My Frankie and Family
anna says
Reading your post is funny at times, but it just hit me when you said something about Jon May and his parents. How true it is that they just don’t give a damn! How could they? All this time and nothing from them or him?
God bless you Diviney family! always praying.
Rita says
We love you and Sue so much! You complement each other so well… together you make the perfect team for Ryan and are unstoppable. Thankfully, you have also passed on the perfect blend of genes to both of your children. I say this with certainty because of my degree in genetics 🙂 I will not comment on any other family’s pedigree without further DNA analysis, but I suspect your hypothesis may be a valid one, Dr. Diviney.
Kathy says
So refreshing that you can laugh even in the toughest times. It’s a gift!
Paula says
Sue is 100% right on this of course. The perpetrators are worse than poopie faces though — they’re also cowards who haven’t stepped up to their moral obligation to help Ryan recover. The violence in and of itself is reprehensible; the fact that they the perpetrator’s families have turned their backs on Ryan is breathtaking in its utter coldness. What a world…
I get at least a little comfort from having met some great people since I got to know your family. It consoles me to know there are people who will do the right thing. Thank God for them, I just wish there were more of them…
The world is a better place by having you all in it; trust me, I know this to be true. All of us love and care about you.
Sending lots of hugs, prayers, hope and faith, always
Paula
Gail Doyle says
Ken, I have to say all those descriptions and many ,many more (censored) fit perfect and I had to laugh,you sure have a way with words:) Giving you and Sue big hugs. Sue is so right ,Ryan needs the therapy he could only get from YOU GUYS…Easy to say ,but hang in ,we’re all here. Hope you have a calm weekend.
love Gail
Jo says
You are a mess, Kenneth! I have to laugh at this, but really Poopy Face Syndrome (PFS) is a serious disorder and should be included in the new Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy and the Merch Manual of Home Health! For sure, many of us know people whose physician’s diagnosis should match this one exactly. I am going to pass this one along to a family physician/friend, who is in tight with Johns Hopkins, no less. We might all want to pre-order the latest edition. I hope they give you credit; I am sure the New England Journal of Medicine will, since they always list credits regarding research. LOL
Please forgive us for worrying about you, but I was just thinking, “Wonder what I would think about if I didn’t have my worries?” I’d probably just be an airhead — cold and distant! Worries/concerns help me to remember my prayers, and that’s a good thing — isn’t it? Oh, you should see my prayer list, and Ryan’s name is at the very top with you, Sue and Kari following. Always praying ~~ always with you in thought and spirit. Love
Jo says
Well, nobody’s perfect! Merck Manual of Home Health.