• ChooseProgress.net (Criminal Site)
  • Ryan’s FB Fan Page

We Got This!

"I tell him I tried. I tried to keep memory alive; I tried to fight those who would forget. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. There is so much injustice & suffering crying out for our attention. We must take sides. We must interfere. -E.W.

  • Home
  • Give
    • Donate
    • Wish List
      • Wish List Items Needed
      • Wish List Orders Received
  • The Story
  • Blog
    • Main Blog
    • Guest Articles
  • News
  • Photos
    • Photos
    • Video
  • About
    • Contact Me
    • About Ryan
    • Keep Ryan Relevant
    • About Me
    • About RyansRally.org
  • Legal
    • Website Disclaimer
    • Civil Lawsuit Complaint
  • Commonly Asked
You are here: Home / News / Strength is One Thing. Endurance is Another.

Strength is One Thing. Endurance is Another.

November 5, 2012 by Ryan's Rally LLC 12 Comments

I took the weekend off from writing. Truth is, I’m really not motivated to write today either. I’m forcing myself. This is a rough week with the three-year anniversary of my sons brutal beating (by Austin Vantrease and Jonathan May) sitting squarely in the middle. Oh, how I hate November 7th. 

I would rather hide from the world for a while. Just stick a pillow over my head, squeezing off the sounds and light, and sob. That would be easy to do. It’s so damn tempting.

I won’t, because it’s not my style.

I can’t, because I have no choose.

It’s best to square-up to it… face it head-on. Then plow through it. That’s what strong people do and I want to one of them.  No matter the challenge, I want to rise above it. No, not just that, but make it better. Improve the situation, so to speak.

I realized early on in life that, like Ryan, I was an effective leader. It was noticeable in the organizations I ran, the teams that I coached, and the family I nurtured. All successful. Even now I hope most see it in my campaign to keep Ryan relevant. I pour my heart into it. It defines me. What I didn’t realize was my family’s (potential) strength. I sure do now, to my dismay. As for me, I have proven this to myself many times in the past three years. I’m being boastful here (as I often am), but it shocks me that I’m stronger than I ever imagined. But, that’s not to say the strong don’t cry… we just try not to do it in front of others. That’s not because we don’t want to appear weak, it’s because we have the feelings of others to consider. It’s nothing more than a façade to make others comfortable around us.

Also, I wish I never knew this about myself. How much happier I would be in blissful ignorance. I’d trade these — strength and ignorance — in an instant.

Strength is one thing, endurance is another. There is a trade-off.

For Ryan’s sake, I worry how long I can keep this pace. For now I’m doing well enough, but clearly this is slowly killing me. It’s getting me from both sides. The pure, unrelenting stress must be having a hell of a fun time with my physiological systems. In other words, converting it into physically destructive properties. Then there’s the toll it’s taking on my body. It’s not just the bruises and scratches either. It’s the strained muscles, chronic achenes, and joint issues.

I hurt on every level.

There’s no end in sight so, like I do, I live in the moment with this aspect of my life too. I glance up every so often to make sure I’m heading in the right direction and see what the next obstacle is in front of us, but then it’s back to the task at hand. No need to look back, that’s just the wreckage and it’s too much to bear seeing it.

###

 

During this week, when readership will be up, I’d like to use this horrible anniversary in a positive way. Let’s see if I can increase donations to Ryan’s Special Needs Trust Fund. Ideally with more people signing-up for the monthly recurring option, but a one-time contribution is always appreciated. For those who already do this, maybe even see if they might make an extra donation, apart from their recurring one. No sense faking anything here (Real and Raw!), I’m blatantly exploiting the anniversary of the beating to improve the situation. Ryan’s situation, to be exact. I you can help, the contribution form (in yellow border) is in the right sidebar of this page.

Please! Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Austin Vantrease, Jonathan May, Ryan Diviney

Comments

  1. Your Delaware friend says

    November 6, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Ken, we will always be here and praying for you, Ryan and your entire family. I come from a very athletic family and we have all suffered and driven our body to levels we thought we couldn’t get to.I have coached many sports teams and would loved to have YOU on any of my teams. Your heart,drive, endurance,passion, dedication to your son are unmatchable. Keep your head up and your mind strong and just know there is thousands of people out here admiring you everyday of the week. Keeps writing and know we will never go away.

    Reply
  2. Will Nier says

    November 6, 2012 at 5:23 PM

    I continue my prayers for Ryan and his family. I seriously believe the God is right there with you each second of the day protecting and giving the strangth needed for each day. After all we believe that Christ is present in each persons heart; we are the temple of God and you take care of Him each day through Ryan.

    Reply
  3. Tony says

    November 5, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    You are a great Father to Ryan and he is blessed to have you. I will say a prayer to help you get through this anniversary and I hope Ryan is doing OK.

    Reply
  4. Paula says

    November 5, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    Ken, I wish I could give you a big hug right now. Instead I’ll just say that we’re not going to leave you or your beautiful family, no matter what. We can’t erase your pain, only try to comfort you however we can. Thank you for letting us help; it is a privilege. Everything you’ve done is not in vain, one look at Ryan affirms this. The sacrifices you have made are enormous, beyond what most of us can even fathom. And yet you press on. Hugs, hugs and more hugs. Lean on us, we’ll help however we can. You’re not alone though you shoulder all the burden. We care deeply and through our actions will continue to show our caring for you and your family. We give you our prayers and positive thoughts, our hope and faith and belief in a better day. An abundance of love is yours now and always. We blink our eyes and another year is gone. We’re all still here holding on together. I hope and pray all who read your blog today will be inspired to do whatever they can to help. Three years and Ryan is still fighting. You’ve been carrying him on your shoulders for that long, and he is so strong and healthy because of it. God bless you, you are an amazing man. My love & prayers to you and your family always…Paula

    Reply
  5. Anna says

    November 5, 2012 at 6:28 PM

    Thinking of Ryan and your family this week. It’s hard to believe it’s been three years. My words for Austin Vantrease, Jon May and their band of friends who stood by and watched as Ryan was attacked are unprintable, hopefully they are haunted by their shameful and evil actions until the day they die.

    Reply
  6. Rita says

    November 5, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    Wise King Solomon advised against singing songs to a heavy heart, so I won’t. Just know that mine is with yours and your family’s. Your love for Ryan overwhelms and inspires us. We will never abandon you. May your love endure forever <3

    Reply
  7. Gail Doyle says

    November 5, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Ken, No words can be written or said to ease your pain
    and even more (don’t know how that’s possible) during these next few days. You and your family are,to say the least,the strongest people I know.And you have every right to be boastful , to cry to scream , to yell ..whatever
    And I somehow hope knowing we’re all here for you and Ryan and family always will help that awful day go faster
    One day there will a new anniversary when Ryan gets better .Always hope NEVER GIVE UP !!!!!! And do pray for you to feel better too
    love gail

    Reply
    • ryansrally.org says

      November 5, 2012 at 5:35 PM

      Yes, knowing there are people who care makes every day easier to get through. I’m not sure what I’d do without Team Diviney.

      Reply
  8. Kathy says

    November 5, 2012 at 3:55 PM

    So sorry to hear it.

    Reply
  9. Kathy says

    November 5, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    I know you don’t like to complain, but how are your hands and wrists doing?

    Reply
    • ryansrally.org says

      November 5, 2012 at 2:58 PM

      They ache constantly.

      Reply
  10. Gloria says

    November 5, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    Ken, you and your family have an unbelieveable amount of strength and devotion to each other. I only hope the small amounts we are able to contribute help with the big picture. You and Sue do such an outstanding job helping Ryan to recover. We hope for Ryan’s day to day comfort and his recovery.

    Reply

Leave a Comment. I read EVERY one! Cancel reply

Featured Articles

Just One More Time. Forever is Worth it.

Wife's Turn: Family. It's What We Do.

Ryan, I know What You're Thinking.

I Lost My Big Brother that Night.

Her Turn to Cry: I Want the Old Ryan Back.

I Lost My Hero.

Most Commented Articles

  • Austin Vantrease Father: “Wrong Place, Wrong Time” (155)
  • Ryan Does Something New (155)
  • Ryan has Potentially Life-Threatening Infection (146)
  • Ryan in ICU. Illness Identified. (131)
  • Five Years (131)
  • Kari Diviney: Victim Impact Statement. (125)
  • “Just Let God Have Him” (and Other Stupidity) (123)
  • Austin Vantrease Siblings Speak Out (101)
  • Austin Vantrease Parole Hearing Scheduled (2013) (97)
  • Skull Surgeries Necessary (95)

Log In

SSL Certified: We are Verified & Secure!

Get Email Alerts of New Posts!

Contact Information

Ryan's Rally, ℅ Ken Diviney
21092 Carthagena Ct.
Ashburn, VA 20147
kdiviney@ryansrally.org

Search Ryan’s Rally

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in