If there is anyone who would like to share "Ryan stories" at the funeral, please let me know. This can be done by writing it down and the Pastor reading it or by you actually telling it yourself. All stories might not be able to be shared depending on the response that I get. Please let me know at your earliest convenience.
Here is some hotel information for those of you coming from out of town to celebrate Ryan's life.
Best Western -- Grandville Inn 616-532-3222
Comfort Suites: 4520 Kenowa, Grandville, MI 49418 616-667-0733
Days Inn and Suites: 28th St., Grandville, MI 49418 616-531-5263
Quality Inn: 3301 Highland Dr., Hudsonville, MI 49426 616-662-4000
Super 8: 3005 Corporate Grove Dr., Hudsonville, MI 49426 616-896-6710
The two in Hudsonville are closer to the church and the cemetery.
SWEENEY: Ryan Patrick Sweeney, 27, of Jenison, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, June 6, 2008, after a courageous battle against Cystic Fibrosis. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Kristin; his twin children, Lily and Wyatt; his parents, Stephen Sweeney and Laurel Sweeney; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Les and Sharon Holwerda; grandmother, Jean and Tom Nicholson; brother, Nicholas Sweeney; sister, Amanda Sweeney; sisters-in-law, Sandy and Dean Hayes, April and Steve Palmbos; five nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00am Tuesday at Chapel Pointe Church, 3550 Baldwin, Hudsonville with Rev. Daniel Rundhaug officiating. To honor Ryan’s wishes, please do not wear black to the service. Interment at Georgetown Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Kristin Sweeney for the Sweeney Family Trust Fund at Fifth Third Bank or to U of M Dept. of Social Work, attention Lisbeth Warner, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., D2202 Medical Professional Bldg., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 (in the memo: transplant). Relatives and friends may meet Ryan’s family at the church on Monday from 6-9:00pm and on Tuesday from 10-11:00am prior to the service. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.
6 comments:
My deepest sympathies to the entire extended Sweeney family. Just a quick story.
As a 25 year old newly hired hospital employee I was extremely nervous about how I would handle the stress of dealing with children who had significant illnesses. Many people gave me advice. "Don't get attached", "Stay professional", "Don't get too close, you'll burn out". Then I met Ryan. Ryan and his family were amazing and welcomed my wife and I into their home in a very cool way. It wasn't long after that I realized that getting personal, getting attached, and caring too much is the only way to take care of people. Ryan and his family taught me to show people who I was and more importantly taught me how to love despite the potential pain that may occur. I continue to care for kids as Ryan and the Swenney's taught me. I have cried, laughed, grieved, and rejoiced a hundred times over. I have a life rich with emotion and that is truly living. Ryan... I thank you for that lesson.
You are all in our prayers.
The Danduran (Mike, Sandy, Madison, Haley, Delaney)
Kristin,
I don't have many eloquent things to say as some other people posting do but all I want to say is your husband was a great man. He was smart, funny, silly, passionate and loyal. Not one time that I was with him did he act sick or complain that he was sick. He was really an amazing person to know. I never thought that this day would actually come. It is taking a long time to sink in since we didn't get to see you very often but it is hurting more and more as each minute passes. I am thrilled for Ryan that he is now with our Lord and experiencing all the wonders of heaven but I am so sad for you and the kids. I wish I could have known Ryan as a dad. I know he was great at it! I have so many thoughts going through my head about wonderful memories with Ryan and you. I could write for a long time. We are saying many prayers for you guys...
All our love,
Mandy
Kristin, Stephen, Laurel, Amanda, Nicholas, Lily & Wyatt-
I am at a loss for words because non seem adiquate. It was such a joy and honor to know Ryan and consider him a friend. I went through WCHS & TIU with me. His joy and passion for life never ceased to amaze me. He had such a zeal and upbeat personality and such a great sense of humor! It was definatly contagious, when you were around him you couldn't help but smile. There are so many stories, it is hard to pick one. He will be greatly missed!
The song "With Hope" by Steven Curtis Chapman came to mind (the lyrics are below).
I am praying for you all in your loss! May God grant you all peace and comfort in this time!
Amanda
This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...
We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again
And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and ...
We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...
We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope
I too, am sad Ryan never received new lungs, although I am relieved he will not suffer another day. I realize though, that the miracle I was praying for, we had already been blessed with. Our family all prayed that this sweet little two week old baby, diagnosed with such a devastating illness, would live to be an adult. Our prayers were heard and happily answered. Ryan accomplished more than we ever thought possible, and I feel that his 27 years with us was a substantial gift. As hard as it is for me to lose my dear nephew,
I can't help but look up and say an overwhelming thank you, and a resounding AMEN!! Aunt Lisa
Kristin,
You don't know me well, we met a couple times a few years ago, but I knew Ryan all my life it seems. He was a year younger than me all our years at WCS together. I am so sorry for your loss, and I am struggling to comprehend that Ryan is gone. A friend of ours told us that Ryan was in the hospital a couple months ago, and my wife found your blog. She read it every night, and we shared in your hope and sadness as Ryan's condition changed for the better and worse.
Growing up I can remember our school praying for Ryan to pull through many times throughout the years, and by the grace of God he always did. Ryan was always such a great leader and friend to all. He never let his sickness hold him back from anything, and he never used it as an excuse. His strength and faith were remarkable, and I can see those same qualities in you. Your entries have touched lives of people that you don't even know across the country.
Just as Ryan had such a profound impact on me throughout my life, you have had the same impact on my wife and the many others she has shared your entries with. Thank you for demonstrating the life of a Godly woman and wife. Ryan's message of faith, strength, kindness, and endurance is alive in you and your children.
My heart breaks for you and the whole family. Hang in there, and know that God is using you, just as he used Ryan.
Ethan Van Eck
Kristin, I love you so much. We're so thankful for the certainty that Ryan is with his Heavenly Father and Savior. I too am sorry I did not get to know him better and haven't seen you since your wedding! But I feel I still know you as I did then, and know your children and Ryan too. We are praying for your peace and comfort.
Laurie Gates
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