The Last Post

It has been just over 3 months now since the clock marked 4 am, on the 4th day of the 4th month - Easter Sunday, when we lost our love - Ryan/Daddy. But still everything we have learned from him and continue to learn every day, remains strong with us both. Ryan is everywhere for us - in the house we live, in the things we do, in who we are and who we will continue to become.

We know that the best thing we can do for him now, is to live the life he would have wanted to have with us. One full of laughter, big hugs, many smiles and sharing it all with our friends. His blog and his book have been the way that he hoped to communicate what he has learned to as many people as possible. So that no one else would have to go through what he did, to learn the lessons.

His blog will be kept up as long as possible, so that you can check in from time to time to remember the amazing gift he left us all. But it doesn't seem right for me to post on it anymore - it was his place.

I leave you with two reminders of his life. They are both songs that his best friend Kevin found over the past few months to help us remember what he would have wanted us to. The first one we played at his celebration of life, in case you were there. The other is another song filled with messages that Ryan believed as well.

Our love and thanks to you all for helping us smile a little bit more throughout this journey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzkZPI-HKsk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO9duGVo7FY

Ryan, Ryan Everywhere....

The loss of Ryan is getting a bit easier with the amazing events and gifts popping up everywhere...a Ryan Westerman golf tournament, a hockey team in the Face Off Against Cancer in his memory, 2 riders that I know of in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, a mention in the Calgary Sun today for his book, some additions to home gardens with a "Ryan's Patch" and a star in the sky purchased in his name.

You might be thinking...wow that's a lot of stuff! And it is, but he left a big hole and this is helping to fill it.

If you want to sponsor one of the riders that is riding for Ryan in the next few weeks, here's a link to his page:

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Alberta2010?px=1891659&pg=personal&fr_id=1332

Stop, Drop and Smile - Available Now!

Today is an amazing day…Ryan’s book “Stop, Drop and Smile” is officially ready for sale. Ryan left us on April 4, 2010, but he wanted to make sure that he lived on through his message. His hope was that as we went about our daily challenges, we would stop and take a moment to think about “a guy named Ryan” and that would give us the perspective we needed to get through whatever we were dealing with and maybe even with a smile.

Many people helped to make this happen, but extra special thanks to:

Susan Pederson – without whom this book wouldn’t have happened
Scott McKay – who created the website to allow this book to be available to more people

As well as: Blitz Printing, Colleen (designer), Michelle (photographer), Ellen (proofing), Tricia (quotes), Sheri & Lori (distribution) and our friends and family who helped to make the “smile” parts possible.

Please follow this link to get Ryan’s book. We are donating 25% of the net proceeds to Rosedale Hospice, who gave us a great last few months with Ryan because of their amazing care for us all.

Enjoy… http://www.stopdropandsmile.com/

Love to you all,
Tasha and Talyn