Tragedy

Yesterday afternoon I got one of those phone calls. The kind where you know your life will instantly change once the conversation is over. The kind you hope to never receive.

When I saw my aunt’s number on the caller ID, I thought maybe she was calling to check on the kids for her babysitting duties later that afternoon. But I couldn’t be more wrong. She was calling to let me know that my cousin had been shot and killed.

Early yesterday morning my cousin, David Andrew Ryder, was shot and killed by a "friend.” While specific details aren’t known at this time, what I do know is that he will be greatly missed--missed by wife, DeAnna, his adorable two-year-old son, Landon. Missed by his mom, dad, and sister. Missed by his numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Missed by his many friends.

Although David lived in Bend, Oregon, and hasn’t lived in this area for several years, the memories I have from our childhood are vivid in my memory. Growing up David (who was only 9 months younger than me), his sister Amber, my brother Jake, and I often referred to ourselves as the Fab Four. We were the four oldest cousins on that side of the family and we were practically inseparable. I will always cherish the memories we shared--Camping trips with our grandparents and fighting over who was going to sleep where in the camper. I remember going to Brookeville Lake and Grandma Ryder threatening to drive us into the lake because we were driving her crazy. I remember gum being banned in my grandma and grandpa’s house because one of the “Fab Four” somehow managed to get gum on the carpet in the basement of their house. (We still don’t know who did that!) I remember huddling under the ski tubes on my Uncle David’s boat when we got stuck on Lake Cumberland during a thunderstorm and then later that night after getting positively muddy and gross, playing cards under the dining fly while it was still raining. I remember riding bikes together with our Mickey ears on when our grandparents took us to Disney World. I remember David’s big blue eyes, his mischievous but infectious smile, and his love for life.

Although I haven’t had the chance to spend much time with David as an adult, one thing I can tell you for sure is he continued to have that zest for life. He loved his wife and son and he lived his life in way he could be proud of. I will always cherish the memories we created on family camping trips, driving our grandparents crazy, and spending time together at family gatherings.

Please keep David’s wife, DeAnna, his two-year-old son, Landon, and the rest of my family in your thoughts and prayers as we are faced with this tragedy.