Wow.
It is crazy what happens within a
month. Within a month I had a friend move back to America from Ghana,
I went traveling, came back, ran my programs, and then had that same
friend pass away within a month time frame.
Life is weird.
I want to talk about this friend, Ryan Newton. Or rather, I want to share the email I sent to his sister on who I knew Ryan as:
Hello,
My name is Taylor Chustz. I am sorry for your loss and grieve with you. I was friends with Ryan while he was in Ghana and I lived with him at the house in Antoa. I only knew Ryan for a short period of time, but I know I will remember him for the rest of my time on earth.
I came to ghana in January, and it was my first time being in another country so far for a long period of time. I met Ryan quickly after arriving and I knew he was my kind of people. He was hilarious, border line inappropriate most times, but still one of the best people I have ever met. He really had a talent, to just ease you into a conversation and act like you had been there from the start.
At our staff meetings he was always bringing an extra spark with his humor and sass.
But Ryan wasn't only funny. He was a caring human being. When any of us were feeling sick he would cook for us and help us out. He was designing an entrepreneurial program to help students in Ghana start and run a business by connecting them with business owners in Ghana. He would say he didn't like the neighborhood kids, but he would be the first to go play in the dirt for a match of soccer or throw a football.
I think that is just one of the things I loved about him. He loved fully and lived his life fully. Ryan was never one to be, as he said, "turned down." I remember one night we went out and in the night we had: a dance off in a club full of Ghanians, a sing a long in a jeep to "I will survive", and multiple selfies in the same jeep with four people.
He lived his life fully and measured it in the love and friendships he acquired along the way. Sitting here in antoa, I can still hear his laughter and his songs. I swear, I woke up to him singing almost every morning. But it was never a bad thing, it just made the start of my day that much better.
I will miss Ryan till my last day. Before he left, I invited him to be my plus one for my friend's wedding. He and I were excited to have him meet my friends and family and explore Louisiana because I knew they would love him instantly. I was devastated when I heard he was sick, and I am still sad to see him pass on.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I know it will forever be hard when you lose someone as magical as Ryan. But I hope you know that he has touched the hearts and souls of so many people and that he was truly loved.
My name is Taylor Chustz. I am sorry for your loss and grieve with you. I was friends with Ryan while he was in Ghana and I lived with him at the house in Antoa. I only knew Ryan for a short period of time, but I know I will remember him for the rest of my time on earth.
I came to ghana in January, and it was my first time being in another country so far for a long period of time. I met Ryan quickly after arriving and I knew he was my kind of people. He was hilarious, border line inappropriate most times, but still one of the best people I have ever met. He really had a talent, to just ease you into a conversation and act like you had been there from the start.
At our staff meetings he was always bringing an extra spark with his humor and sass.
But Ryan wasn't only funny. He was a caring human being. When any of us were feeling sick he would cook for us and help us out. He was designing an entrepreneurial program to help students in Ghana start and run a business by connecting them with business owners in Ghana. He would say he didn't like the neighborhood kids, but he would be the first to go play in the dirt for a match of soccer or throw a football.
I think that is just one of the things I loved about him. He loved fully and lived his life fully. Ryan was never one to be, as he said, "turned down." I remember one night we went out and in the night we had: a dance off in a club full of Ghanians, a sing a long in a jeep to "I will survive", and multiple selfies in the same jeep with four people.
He lived his life fully and measured it in the love and friendships he acquired along the way. Sitting here in antoa, I can still hear his laughter and his songs. I swear, I woke up to him singing almost every morning. But it was never a bad thing, it just made the start of my day that much better.
I will miss Ryan till my last day. Before he left, I invited him to be my plus one for my friend's wedding. He and I were excited to have him meet my friends and family and explore Louisiana because I knew they would love him instantly. I was devastated when I heard he was sick, and I am still sad to see him pass on.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I know it will forever be hard when you lose someone as magical as Ryan. But I hope you know that he has touched the hearts and souls of so many people and that he was truly loved.
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| From left to right: ME, Patrick, Ryan, and Spencer in the back of a Jeep taking a selfie. |
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