I have written many times about how wonderful the
Ryan House has been for our family. It is a place of respite where doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and many volunteers tend to the medical needs of Bryce and Annalise, and to the mental and emotional needs of our entire family. I love that place and am so thankful to Ryan and his parents for opening the Ryan House here in Phoenix.
The Ryan House is also a place where children can go to receive end of life care when that is what is needed. The staff there provides support to the child and their family as the child moves from this life to the next. It is a private time for them. The other families staying at the Ryan House are not involved. However, there have been two different times (that I know of) when we have been at the Ryan House while a family has said their final good-bye to their child. Those times have brought many different emotions to me. Neither of those families did we know well, one, not at all, and yet I felt a sorrow for them at the pain they were going through. At the same time I felt joy for the child who was now able to run, laugh, talk, and play like other children, although I am sure they miss their earthly family as well. One of these passings occurred while I was sleeping, but the other was in the middle of the day and although the staff does their best to keep other families from knowing what is happening, I knew what was going on. I could feel it. The veil between this life and the next is so thin. I was not even in the room and I knew that there were messengers from Heaven who had come to welcome this young child back and to be with him throughout his new journey. I could feel the spirit so strong!
It was a wonderful feeling and yet at the same time a feeling of sadness, wonder, and even fear for the time that our family will be on the other side of that wall. This past week, some very close friends of ours faced their time on the other side of the wall. Denise, Les, Tyler, and Noah said their final goodbye to little Ryder last Wednesday morning. They now know exactly how it
feels to be in that situation. My heart aches for them. I want to take their pain away, but I know that is not possible. I do not have that power. My only hope and comfort is that I know that in time, with the help of a loving Heavenly Father, they will feel peace again and that one day, they will be with Ryder again. As long as we are on this earth, Ryder will always be missed and will be in our hearts forever! We sure love you little man!
