My family moved to Middletown on Halloween Day, 1997 about a month before my 7th birthday. The day we moved in, I was standing in the backyard with my grandmother when a boy who lived in the house behind ours walked over with his younger brother. The boy's name was Ryan, and he was my first best friend.
His family was hosting a Halloween party that night, and he asked if I wanted to go and then accompany him and his friends trick or treating around the neighborhood. He didn't know me from Adam, but even so, he knew I was the "new kid" that was in need of a friendly face. I was always a shy kid. I had made some friends in school, but in the days before social media and cell phones, maintaining those relationships after moving was difficult.
After trick or treating with Ryan and the new friend group he introduced me to, I was stuck to him like glue. I'd call his home line every chance I got and ask Mrs. Ennis, "Can Ryan come out and play?" So much so that I'm sure she considered changing their number multiple times haha. But I couldn't help myself, he was so cool. He was funny, good at sports and video games and everybody loved him. Even his house was cool. He had an N64 and PlayStation with all the games and cheat codes; he had all the latest action figures and Pokemon cards; he even had a vending machine in his basement. A kids dream!
I was in awe of him. Even though we were the same age, I looked up to him. I wanted to be just like him. He was my best friend. Even though when I moved in he already had an established friend group, he never once made me feel like I was different, like I didn't belong. But it wasn't because I was special, that's just how Ryan was. His presence and character could light up a room and he shared that light with those around him.
Random Acts of Kindness isn't just something he preached to his clients and social media followers, it's something he truly epitomized it and lived by from a young age. As I look back, the random act of kindness he showed me helped shape my childhood . I'm not sure how different my experience growing up in Summit Farms would have been had Ryan not walked into our backyard on Halloween day almost 30 years ago, but I know it would not have been filled with as much joy, laughter and friendship had he not.
Thank you Ryan. Although I'm saddened and heartbroken of your early passing, I feel so blessed that God allowed your light to shine on me all those years ago and I will cherish the memories we made for the rest of my life. Rest east my friend.
