On August 11, 2002 the Consolver family lost their 24 year old son Ryan, to a tragic motorcycle accident. This Christian family could not imagine how the God they knew and loved could take this young boy so early in his life.
Several months went by. Mom went to counseling, prayed and joined a support group for parents of lost children. Dad withdrew and could barely talk about it. Together they knew somehow, someway, they had to pull out of this depression and go on with their lives as Ryan would want them to.
Ryan’s dad is in the automotive business, loves old cars and Harley’s and is well experienced in the art of bodywork. Mom is a planner and leader, involved in numerous clubs and activities. They put their expertise together and came up with an idea that would remember Ryan on his birthday, and make a huge impact in not just their own lives but the lives of many others.
The name “Ride for Ryan” came first. This could be a motorcycle event since Ryan would like that. Then talking to other family and friends the idea grew and grew. They’d form a small committee, this is going to be huge they all agreed, Ryan loved parties. Where they would ride and gather had to be worked out. Why not ride a route where Ryan lived, went to school and hung out with friends all his life? That would be good. The idea got bigger, and so did the committee. Next thing they knew Ryan’s friends, cousins and immediate family made up a planning committee of 35.
The decision to use the proceeds to keep Ryan’s memory alive would be a scholarship fund. He had received a full scholarship to pursue his love of building. His scholarship would have to be for kids who wanted to do the same.
Dad came out of his depression. He had something to work for, something he had to do for his son. He must rebuild the 1995 Harley Davidson Ryan had his accident on in time for this event. Six months of love, sweat and money got the memory bike together so it could lead the crowd that day.
Mom had flyers made up and gave them to every motorcyclist she saw. She went to the local motorcycle club known as H.O.G. and told them the story. Tears filled the room as she told this group of bikers that she didn’t know, how her dream was to have 300 motorcycles show up for the first Ride for Ryan. Most people thought she was expecting way too much and was afraid she’d be disappointed. She had faith and she kept on praying for 300. She had put a big “star” on the 300th registration form just in case.
Her “Pennies from Heaven” email kept coming to mind. It went like this:
I found a penny today
Just laying on the ground.
But it’s not just a penny,
this little coin I’ve found.
Found pennies come from heaven,
that’s what my Grandpa told me.
He said Angels toss them down.
Oh, how I loved that story.
He said when an Angel misses you,
they toss a penny down.
Sometimes just to cheer you up,
to make a smile out of your frown.
So, don’t pass by that penny,
when you’re feeling blue.
It may be a penny from heaven,
that an Angel’s tossed to you.
Ever since Ryan died, his mom would find pennies. The day of the ride was not any different. The very first thing at 6:30am, the day of the ride, she found a penny in St. Joe Harley Davidson’s parking lot! How exciting, Ryan was watching on “his” day. She told her friend, “Look I found a penny!” He replied, “I found one too!” She then went over to her sister-in-law, and was told “I also found one”. Wow, how could Harley’s parking lot just so happen to have 3 pennies on the ground in completely different spots? At 10:00 the parking lot was getting full, bikers were coming from everywhere! A little 10 year-old girl just happen to find Ryan’s mom, and said “Janis, look at all these pennies I found.” She held out her little hand, and there were a handful! Amazing, how did she even know to tell this? Why didn’t she just keep them to herself, or give them to her dad? This was the true confirmation that Ryan was there.
The next confirmation came right at noon when the ride started. There had been 301 registrations!!! Answered prayer, Ryan was definitely there!
The planning was a success. Tears of happy and sad emotions ran as the group waited to rumble out of the parking lot and follow Ryan’s dad on Ryan’s rebuilt memory bike. It took 15 min to get all the bikes out of the parking lot and on the route. As they all stayed together for the 50 mile ride, it was like the movie Field of Dreams, “if you build it they will come.” The headlights from the motorcycles went on for miles.
Was the family finally healed from their grief? No, not really. There is no total healing. But, this was truly a boost and created joy in their lives. They could help others and know Ryan’s presence is there.
One scholarship was given the first year, but since then 29 local high school students have been helped! This gives the family great joy to plan an annual event to help others too. The Ride for Ryan event gets bigger and better every year. A true birthday party celebration, but with the guest of honor watching from far away. Since the first event, Ryan’s mom, Janis, learned to ride a motorcycle and loves it. Ryan is always watching over her.
With Love,
Janis Consolver(Ryan’s Mom)
This Year’s Ride For Ryan
June 7th 12 noon.This years 6th annual Ride for Ryan will be approximately 100 miles, going through the countryside, where Ryan grew up. The ride will leave St. Joe Harley-Davidson at high noon. There will be two stops along the way at