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You are here: Home / News / Happy Birthday, Big Brother!

Happy Birthday, Big Brother!

September 22, 2014 by Ryan's Rally LLC 71 Comments

Happy birthday to my incredibly strong and amazing big brother.

Ryan and Kari on his 25th birthday.

Ryan and Kari on his 25th birthday.

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.

Related articles
  • Happy Birthday, My Son!
  • Four Years Ago: I Lost My Hero
  • Kari Diviney: Victim Impact Statement.

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Filed Under: News

Comments

  1. Karyn Mandracchia Ahern via Facebook says

    September 28, 2014 at 1:24 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan !! May God Bless you always <3 <3

    Reply
  2. Mary T Fugo George via Facebook says

    September 24, 2014 at 3:07 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan,,,,,

    Reply
  3. Anna says

    September 23, 2014 at 11:46 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan, always on my mind…..

    Reply
  4. Jerome Kyler Beightol via Facebook says

    September 23, 2014 at 10:34 AM

    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!!!

    Reply
  5. Monica Skinner via Facebook says

    September 23, 2014 at 7:01 AM

    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

    Reply
  6. Justin Dakota Greene via Facebook says

    September 23, 2014 at 12:18 AM

    Happy Birthday, Ryan.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer paynter says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:45 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!! Hoping this year is better than last in your recovery. Always praying and hoping that you wake up…xoxo

    Reply
  8. Cheryl Whittaker via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:46 PM

    Praying for you all

    Reply
  9. Team Taylor via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:16 PM

    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.

    Reply
  10. Tony says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:11 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan. You family loves you and we are praying for you.

    Reply
  11. Josh says

    September 22, 2014 at 7:32 PM

    Happy birthday, Ryan. You have a great family.

    Reply
  12. Beverly Vogel Cook via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 6:00 PM

    I think of you often, Ryan,you and your family has captured my soul…I send Love and Light….

    Reply
  13. Sheila York via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 5:29 PM

    Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  14. Kim McLeod via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 5:17 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

    Reply
  15. Joy Beales Smith via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 5:03 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan! You are loved and prayed for more than you’ll ever know!

    Reply
  16. Mary Sheehannotley via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    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…

    Reply
  17. Sandy Martin says

    September 22, 2014 at 3:43 PM

    Happy Birthday!!!!

    Reply
  18. Lori Langpaul Beebe via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 3:16 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!! Charlie is coming up for a visit to NOVA soon and plans to come visit you all. xoxo

    Reply
  19. Fernanda Jones via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 3:08 PM

    Happy birthday!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  20. Elizabeth Storms via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 2:13 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan !!!!

    Reply
  21. Rita says

    September 22, 2014 at 1:52 PM

    We love your brother and will never leave him or your family either, Kari. Stay strong, Divineys, and keep fighting, Ryan!

    Reply
  22. Debbie Chikosky Parsons via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 1:11 PM

    Happy Birthday!!!!!

    Reply
  23. Stacy L. Kennedy Greaser via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 12:45 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!

    Reply
  24. Mountain View via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 12:20 PM

    Happy Birthday!!!!!

    Reply
  25. Marsha Cook via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 12:19 PM

    happy birthday!!!!!!

    Reply
  26. Bonnie Sload Tyrrell via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    Happy Birthday Ryan. God Bless you and your awesome family.

    Reply
  27. clofton1 says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:52 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!

    Reply
  28. Becky Daniel VanDyke via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:40 AM

    Happy birthday Ryan! Love and prayers from MT 🙂

    Reply
  29. Chris Ward via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan

    Reply
  30. Tammy Webster Henry via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:39 AM

    Happy Birthday, Ryan!

    Reply
  31. Jenny Luxton via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:34 AM

    Happy birthday ryan!

    Reply
  32. Sharon Petriello Meier via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:17 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!

    Reply
  33. Amy Williams Kyler via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:03 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!!!

    Reply
  34. Karen Whited Barnette via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan.

    Reply
  35. Cathy Martin Gunter via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:57 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan .. God Bless you

    Reply
  36. Elizabeth Esper via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:54 AM

    Happy B-day!

    Reply
  37. Caitlin says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:48 AM

    Happy birthday, Ryan! Even in England, we are thinking about you.

    Reply
  38. Pat Dyer via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:47 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan.

    Reply
  39. Debbie Bloom via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:39 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan wishes love and prayers

    Reply
  40. Chuck Butts via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:32 AM

    My daughter went to WVU with Ryan and was good friends with him. Happy Birthday to Ryan and may God bless this extraordinary family.

    Reply
  41. Amber Prescott via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!

    Reply
  42. Tina Sumner via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:28 AM

    Happy Birthday to a very special young man….prayers to you as always, and love to your family!

    Reply
  43. Melody Stanley Exline via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!

    Reply
  44. Paula Yocom via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    Happy Birthday to an amazing person!! Ryan, you are the best of the best!!!

    Reply
  45. Sue Dayton via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:13 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!

    Reply
  46. Jeremy Sutton via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 10:06 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!! Your Family Rocks!! and that is what family is all about.

    Reply
  47. Paula Dundas Hamrick via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:59 AM

    Happy birthday Ryan. God bless your precious heart.

    Reply
  48. Kids Prayer Network via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:53 AM

    Happy birthday, Ryan!

    Reply
  49. Michelle Carlino via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    happy happy birthday Ryan!!!

    Reply
  50. Sue Bennett Markley via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:49 AM

    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.

    Reply
  51. Sue Bennett Markley via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    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.

    Reply
  52. Linda Muroff via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    Happy birthday Ryan☝

    Reply
  53. Paul Rapsawich via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!!!!!! Stay strong…you’re always in our thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
  54. Becky Rote Hawk via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!

    Reply
  55. Felecia Ott via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  56. PK Miller says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:38 AM

    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.

    Reply
  57. Alice Bird via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan from Warner Robins, Ga. GOD loves you.

    Reply
  58. Rita Brogan Lundstrum via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:34 AM

    You’re family is such an inspiration in my life.

    Reply
  59. Sandy Price via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:32 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan!

    Reply
  60. Carly Alana Zarzycki Richards via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:32 AM

    Happy 25th birthday Ryan!! We all love you xo

    Reply
  61. Jenny Velasquez via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan !! Stay strong and God Speed healing

    Reply
  62. Brenda Livingpositive via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    HAPPY Birthday Ryan

    Reply
  63. Bonnie C Perkins via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:24 AM

    Happy birthday Ryan.

    Reply
  64. Sharon Vaughn Lighton via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:23 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan.

    Reply
  65. Terry Kegley via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:20 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan

    Reply
  66. JoAnn Caudle via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan! Always stay strong!

    Reply
  67. Sam J Davis via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan

    Reply
  68. Mandy N Sean Swiger via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    Happy birthday! !!! You are an inspiration to many! !

    Reply
  69. Gail Doyle says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    Beautiful message from a loving sister!

    Reply
  70. Patti Shelton McComb via Facebook says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    Happy Birthday Ryan.. what an amazing family you have!

    Reply
    • Theresa Keating says

      September 23, 2014 at 9:09 PM

      Happy Birthday, dear Ryan!! May our dear Lord bless you! xo

      Reply

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