Missing Ryan...

It has been 5 months since Ryan has died. I do this more for me than anything else, but here are some of the things I have been missing the most about him:

I miss waking up to him speaking way too loud into his phone saying, “Hola” or, “Hey, so and so, what do you need?”

I miss him taking Sage to get her fix of chocolate milk at the gas station when we were out in the morning. She always came home with a couple packs of Donettes and a big grin on her face. I was fine telling her tough luck when she threw a fit that the chocolate milk was gone but Ryan would always give in.

I miss the sound of him typing away in the office, trying to catch up on all the book work that never seemed to get done. I loved the days when he was working at home, not that he was really interacting with us. I guess I just liked the feel of having him home.

I miss the little chipmunk noise he would make in the back of his throat when he was bored or concentrating. It used to drive me crazy. It’s funny how those annoying things they do somehow become endearing. Sage has taken to making that noise. She’s the only one who can duplicate it. A few more years and she will have it perfected.

I especially miss pawning the baby off on him when I was busy running the girls around. Or, having him watch the kids so I could go grocery shopping or other errands. I could get so much more done with his help. What a luxury to have two parents doing the work. I always felt like I did most of the child raising but I didn’t realize how much his effort did for me and my sanity.

I miss watching him as a Dad. I swear he was the better parent. He was the one to play, to go down the slides at Kangaroo Zoo or put the girls on the Wakeboard with him. I just think about all that the girls will miss out on without him and it nearly crushes me.

I miss talking to him on the phone. Neither of us were big phone talkers but I just loved when he would call me. I would always get a little excited when I saw his name on my caller I.D. That was such a big adjustment when he died. I kept feeling like I needed to call him and tell him when something happened or check in with him. It is weird not being accountable to anyone.

I miss meeting up with him for lunch while the kids were at school or going on special dates or going on trips without the kids, even though I always stressed about leaving them.

Ryan was such a good husband. He was always trying to push me to step out of my shell and try new things. He always encouraged me to go out with my girlfriends and pursue my interests.

I miss playing games with him. He thought he was better than me at board games. I guess he usually did win. I liked beating him though he always wanted to play again so he could win.

I miss him eating nachos (we call them cheesy chips). Everyday he made a plate of cheesy chips. He would pour a big bowel of Salsa and put a scoop of sour cream in it. I can picture him so clear eating his cheesy chips and sharing with the girls. Our kitchen had to be stocked with cheesy chips ingredients if not he would complain about the lack of food in our house or he would take off to Costco and return with a 10 lb bag of cheese and a dozen bags of tortilla chips.

I miss watching him in the hospital when each of the girls was born. He was so proud. It was like he was beaming.

I miss hugging him. Ryan was never real affectionate in public but almost every time we passed by each other at home he would hug me.

I miss the songs and jokes he would make up. The people that know Ryan best know what his jokes were usually about.

I miss his silly laugh and when he laughed really hard it sounded like a witches cackle.

I miss the way he looked when we were going out. He cleaned up good.

I miss that no matter how many times he showered there was always traces of tar somewhere on him and he always had a few cuts on his hands or arms, risks of the trade.

I miss him talking on the phone and trying to plot doing something with his friends. He would always try to be sly and would be looking at me out the corners of his eyes and when I started to protest he always started smiling.

I even miss him playing Halo. I actually got to where I liked watching him. I would tell him when the bad guys were coming. I’m sure his ranking moved up with my help.

I miss when he would come home from work. He would clap his hands really loud and yell something and the girls would run to him.

I miss him taking out the trash. That was his contribution to the house cleaning.

I miss snuggling on the luv sac watching one of our shows i.e. Prison Break, Lost, American Idol.

I miss him putting Asha and Sage to bed at night. He did it almost every night since Zaya was born. I loved walking past the girl’s bedroom and seeing him sitting on the bed with the girls curled up on each side of him reading stories. What a good, Dad.

These are just a few of the things I miss about Ryan. I think I could go on and on. I often look at this Blog, but it has occurred to me that there are not going to be any new pictures or new memories to share. That is why all the old memories are so important to me. We have a book that many people have contributed stories and their feelings about Ryan to. I love to read this book. Often at night the girls ask me to tell them true stories about Ryan. I often read them ones from this book. If you have any new stories about Ryan that pop into your head, that you would want to share. I would love that. You can email them to me at gotroof@msn.com. Thanks for everything.

Memorial Sand Dune Trip

Just a few pics from the Memorial weekend trip to the dunes!

katie cox said...
I also just wanted to thank everyone for putting on the run and showing up for it. It was such a memorable experience. It just remindes me that Ryan really was a special person. I feel so lucky that he is my husband. Becuase of all the people that loved him I'am left with such a great support system. I don't know how people can loose a loved one and go through it alone. I appreciate everyone so much and am only sorry I can't express my gratitude individually.

Run For Ryan

The "Run for Ryan" was a great success! Even the pouring rain didn't stop the 820 runners from coming out to support Katie and the girls and to pay tribute to Ryan. It was an awesome site to see everyone there. We have an amazing community. Thanks to everyone who came and ran and to all of the volunteers. It was a success because of all of you

5K Run For Ryan

There is going to be a fun run honoring Ryan on Memorial Day, which is Mon. May 26th. All of the donations and proceeds will go to benefit Katie and the girls. You can either run the 5K or the 1 mile. The 5K is $15 and the 1 mile is $10. If your family wants to run it together the cost is $50 for a family of 4 under the ages of 18. The run is in American Fork. It starts at the Rec. center at 8:00am. It is easiest to do early registration at 26.2 running store (100N. 100E. AF) Or you can also register at Images Salon. (93E. Center P.G.) There will also be same day registration but it will cost $5 more. Same day registration ends at 7:30am. We want to get as many people to run as possible so please spread the word! Also if you want to or know anyone who would like to donate money, prizes or sponsor the event let us know. It would be greatly appreciated. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!

Ryan the "Outdoors Man"

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Ryan at Roofing Contest

Ryan competing in a nailgun contest at Interstate in January.

Picture given by Mike Baker

Ryan's Mission

"He taught me what humility and dedication was and how to love the people. He loved the people and they loved him. He worked hard and loved to serve."

Nate Kolberg

In Loving Memory

Like all of you we have been so saddened by the loss of this great man. He is such an amazing example to all of us. Ryan has always lived life to the fullest, and has been a friend to everyone that knew him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his sweet family at this time. We will miss him dearly.
Ryan William Cox, 28, of American Fork, passed away tragically, Saturday March 29, 2008 as a result of a motorcycle accident at the Little Sahara Sand Dunes.
Ryan was born April 17, 1979 in American Fork to Michael Ray and Deborah Van Orden Cox. He grew up in Pleasant Grove and graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 1997. He then served an LDS Mission in the West Indies.
Ryan and Katie DeWitt were married on December 8, 2000 in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. He became the successful business owner of a roofing and construction company. Most importantly he was a devoted father to his three beautiful daughters. He enjoyed life to the fullest and spread that joy to everyone he met. His generous heart and fun loving personality will live on through all those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife Katie: three daughters: Asha McKay, Sage Jane, and Zaya Sue; parents: Michael Ray and Deborah Cox, Pleasant Grove: five siblings: Michael (Aimee) Cox, Pleasant Grove; Karen (Linn) Beck, Mendon, UT; Stephanie (Michael) Kendall, Farmington; Stacey Cox, Pleasant Grove; Justin Cox, Pleasant Grove; grandmother, Jerry Van Orden, Blackfoot, ID; Jackie (Rich) Maxfield, South Ogden; and many loving family and friends.
Friends may call Wednesday evening at the Olpin Family Mortuary 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork West Stake Center, 500 North 700 West, American Fork, Utah. An additional viewing will be held at the church one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the American Fork City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinfamilymortuary.com.
Donations can be made at Central Bank to the Ryan Cox Memorial Fund to benefit his wife and children.
Published in the Daily Herald on 4/1/2008.
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