01/17/11

What Was It About Him?

What was it about him, he stood out in the crowd,
Humble and meek and occasionally loud;
His eyes were green, sometimes hazel, sometimes blue,
With a tilt of his head that gaze always shone through.

What was it about him, that smile like a dart,
When he threw one at me, it tore at my heart;
He was charming and kind and encouraged those unknown,
The void that is left makes me feel sad and alone.

What was it about him, he carried himself with poise,
On the field or the court, he was just one of the boys;
Whether dribbling, pitching, or throwing a deep pass,
The donations he made helped to make others’ lives last.

What was it about him, to snooze it was no chore,
His presence, when with him, you would never be bored;
The jerseys, the sneakers he would always buy them new,
I have one I’ll cherish-- #9--it’s grey and royal blue.

What was it about him, I seem to ask God why,
When I imagine life without him, all I do is cry;
The Lord, from the start, knew how special He would be,
Our gift for 16+ wonderful years, then God set him free.

~Bobbie Malinak

STEELTON’S LOST SOLDIER

Just 16 years old, did so many things for people, touched so many hearts for such a young soul. But all that got messed up when you got in an accident on Orchard Drive in the freezing cold.

Three of Steel-High’s brightest is what that BMW had in a submission hold. I was in my room making beats when I was told. I couldn’t believe it. At school we were praying and had a counselin’ and it still ain’t sink in.

J.D. was the first to be released, 2 more to go, that’s all I was thinking. I wasn’t sleeping, eating, or even drinking. I went to the hospital on Monday and saw Tom right before they released him.

I was thanking God that we got 2 out walking, speaking, and breathing. All we can do is pray for Ryan I said.

Then I got a call saying he’s half brain dead. Right then and there I felt like filling myself with lead. But I was like nah, he gonna be strong and fight through like he always did. I ride for my squidity, yo imma die for my squidity, but to see him laid out in a hospital bed, I ain’t have it in me. And for that Ry I’m truly sorry.

Two days later I was getting word that you were doing good. I was like hell yo he gonna be back wit his peoples, his family, and his R.P.H. boys chilling in the hood.

Next Sunday rolled around, I just got back from playing ball. Had Ryan M. 40 on my sneakers and on a rubber band for my dawg.

Got a call from my Aunt Mary Lou and she was speaking like she had lock jaw. She said Baby Ry ain’t wit us no more. I said say this again so I could be sure . . . She said it again and my heart sank wit my body and dropped to the floor.

I was yelling damn why Lord. He’s too young, he spoke ya word in church, memories goin’ through my head.

I can’t stand this pain, the insane hurt, so I quickly left my house in jeans and a T-shirt. I had to take a walk to cool off so I wouldn’t do nothing beserk. Damn on Thursday, my boy, my family is goin’ to be buried in the dirt.

How could this happen to someone who could cause no harm? You now I’m goin’ to get Ryan Mohn tatted on my arm.

Steelton is a strong community and we gonna work through the storm. There is no better place than where he is now and that’s in God’s arms.

We gonna miss that great kindness and charm, but he’s right where God choose him to belong.

Don’t worry Ry, we gonna take care of ya father, ya sister Cristen, and ya mother.

We gonna miss you, Steelton’s young lost soldier.

~Jason Zimmerman

When It Was Just Us

I stood in the outfield waiting to throw

Wondering if my partner ever would show

Last out of the locker room Ryan would run

His belt unbuckled and shoes undone

On the field there were seven other guys

But both in our minds it was just Ryan and Wise

I was his catcher he gave me full trust

I can remember those times when it was just us

Bobbie would ask us to go to the youth event

Neither of us wanted to go unless the other went

During church service we would hide in the back

We would raid the youth closet to get a quick snack

Before long to the sanctuary we would go

He knew his mom would be upset if he didn't show

We made the commitment to God and in Him we trust

Back in those times when it was just us

When I heard the news of that tragic ride

I came home from school to be by his side

He was in the thoughts of the entire town

Hoping and praying that he would come around

As I saw him that last time laying in that bed

I hope that he heard every word that I said

Ryan will be with me in the locker room the field and even the bus

I will always treasure those times when it was just us

~Blake Wise

A Clearer Vision

As I sit and stare across the sky
I see things now and don’t know why
This morning as I peered through the living room glass
Something appeared, it’s here to last
It’s not new, it’s always been there
I just never saw it, maybe I didn’t care
I looked away and thought for a while
Then looked again and had to smile
This sight, you see, is not far away
It’s always there for those who pray
What did I see between the rooftops perched?
I saw the cross on Ryan’s church

~Bob LaVia

Left Behind #2

I was just yelling at him for pulling the veer.

Now he is gone and I have to shed this tear.

I can’t really express how much I cared,
The times we had, the midget and varsity jerseys we shared.
You went from lineman to star quarterback, who would have guessed?
Had my spot when I got hurt, and then you put the 9 on your chest.
I wrote this to stop some of the hurting.
You will never be forgotten, that’s for certain.
I am being strong, but I don’t know how much longer.
Day after day my feelings get stronger.
I already know what tattoo I am getting for you.
An equation 11-9=2
It takes 11 men to start a game. We lost #9 and it’s not the same. That equals #2.
I will always be thinking of Ryan Lee Mohn when I wear the royal blue.
Don’t know if I will get over the day you left behind #2.
When I get about 90 you can save me a seat.
R.I.P my good friend Turkeymeat.

I love you.

~Davelle Crawford

!My Angel!

A month has just passed by.
It feels like it happened yesterday, and I am still asking why?
I felt you by my side, holding me while I cried.
I know you’re in a better place, with that smile on your face.
I know you’re watching over me, even though I may not see.
You’re always on my mind, remembering all the good times left behind.
This is not the way it should be, wishing to wake up and see you Ryan Lee.
Just thinking of you makes me cry, always wondering and asking why?
You are too young, there is no reason you shouldn’t be here.
Since this happened, driving is my biggest fear.
There is so much more about you I could say, as I live my life day by day.
My days seem so long, now since you’re gone.
You will always have a special part in my little HEART!
I can’t wait to see you, trust me you have no clue.
When God is ready for me, I will be happy, just wait and see.
You’re 17 now, WOW!
It’s never going to be the same, and that’s a shame.
I LOVE YOU Ryan Lee Mohn!

~Ashlee R. Mohn

`Lost Love`

Thinking of you every day
Makes me miss you in every way
Every time I needed you, you were there
Now that you’re gone it isn’t fair
My heart’s been broken many times
But deep inside I’ll try and find
The strength I need to move on
After I wake up and realize that you’re gone
I’ll always remember the times we’ve spent
And how much to me they’ve meant
Remember that you’re in my heart
And will always have that special part

~Katelyn Siegfried

&
Kara Acri

Heaven’s Bouquet

Sometimes it’s nice to get a card . . .
After all the excitement has died down . . . to cheer you up
Sometimes it’s nice to know others are thinking of you
So when you’re feeling blue and the tears come coursing down your cheeks
As the days stretch into weeks
And the empty places there now hold nothing but a chair
But the Good Lord up on high thought that the perfect time was night
To pluck a rose
But then He thought it was so good that maybe He just would pick another too
And make His garden more complete with a few more roses at His feet
For after all He’s growing it to make it more beautiful for you
So when on angel wings we’ll fly to the garden in the sky
There we’ll breathe the sweet perfume of the roses all in bloom
What a great reunion see! of our loved ones you and me!
What a beautiful bouquet picked by the Master!
On the day we all thought ‘twas a disaster!

~Rachel M. Hess

THANK YOU, RYAN

Thank you for going on the carnival ride with Nick and me.
Thank you for always treating me “like one of the boys” and teaching me the beauty of equality.
Thank you for getting stung by bees with Nick and me, because I’ve always thought that

“the friends that get stung together, stay together.” Thank you for being Nick’s first best friend and a brother to him when I wasn’t being the best big sister. Thank you for joining Bobbie Jeanne’s “Clean Plate Club” with us, no matter how much food they’d put on the plate for us!
Thank you for always playing at the highest level of your abilities, be it Backyard Wiffle Ball or Cottage Hill pick-up basketball games, and teaching me the value of fierce competition.
Thank you for never denying your friends games of Backyard Wiffle Ball or Cottage Hill pick-up basketball and teaching me to be a better athlete. Thank you for going to camp with us when we were little and “ramboing” up the hill on that deer with your dad, Nick and me. (Wow, we were cool little kids!) Thank you for pouring the chocolate syrup all over the marshmallows on the windowsill at camp on that trip. You truly taught me why there are signs at zoos asking people, “Do NOT Feed the Animals.”Thank you for climbing the wall with us in between my old house and your Grandma’s house.
Thank you for giving me the courage to jump off that terribly scary three foot wall when your Grandma came out and told us we shouldn’t be doing that. Thank you for being just good, ol’ Ry, nothing more and nothing less. Thank you for the endless hours of video games, especially with Nick.
Thank you for taking it a little easy on me when I attempted to play those video games (but you’d still win). Thank you for all the endless memories I’ll take with me through my life. Thank you for growing up with me. It has been my pleasure. Oh . . .and thank you for going on the carnival ride with Nick and me. I’m glad we have the picture.

Your friend,

Devon