Uncle Ry Ry

Your Uncle RyRy has been on standby since I text him the night labor started (Monday).  Nana called him on Wednesday at 4am and he rushed to the Virginia Hospital in Arlington with us.  He heard the screams, saw the forceps incident, and I think was traumatized by the sounds because he had to leave the room at one point while I wailed.  

Uncle Ry was always careful to listen to what I said.  Sometimes people at the hospital can ignore the crazy pregnant/postpartum girl but he always made sure to listen out for me and my pleas/demands.  When I said I was parched he took it seriously and fetched ice chips and fed them to me, he pet my head, gave me drinks with a straw, fixed my bed position, my oxygen, and took notice of all the little comforts or uncomfortableness and tried to ease them for us.  When I said we needed to tidy the room, he was the first one on it!  He truly is the best social worker in a psychology major.  He is intuitive and caring and sensitive and serving to the needs of others around him, but I think especially to us!  He's my little brother but acts like he's my big one the way he always takes care of me (pregnant or not).  When I had cravings or didn't feel well when I was pregnant he helped take care of us.  He was one of your first visitors in the NICU to hold you and tell me how beautiful and sweet souled you were.  

There were numerous random calls in the wiles of the night and Uncle Ry was always quick to answer his phone, get Nana, and come on the fly!  One night they came just as I was going into my third surgery.  Uncle Ry helped calm Nana who cried when she just missed getting to see me before they wheeled me away.  When I came out Uncle Ry, Nana, Daddy and you were waiting for me.  Daddy was holding you so Uncle Ry held my hand as I complained of profuse sweats, he sopped my head, and rubbed cold cloths over me, and held my hand as I squeezed as hard as I could for something painful I was feeling.  It's the last thing I remember before I knocked out.  

You are so blessed to have wonderful strong males in your life like your Uncle Ryan to teach you how manly it is to love in service and attention to others.  I pray you will learn how to be aware of the needs of others like your Uncle Ryan is and be quick to love.  Love is after all the greatest thing there is.