Devin’s Story – The Boy With a Broken Heart
Lion # 100
A tiny baby boy by the name of Ryan was born several weeks early. Because of this, he had to travel to a big hospital where special doctors could fix his small heart. His parents were worried and wanted him to feel courage when he had to stay at the hospital alone. They knew that lions were courageous and so they decided to buy him a little stuffed lion and call it “Ryan’s Lion.” Ryan’s parents searched through all the toy stores to find a small lion, but they could find only bunnies and bears. After a while, they gave up the hope of getting a toy lion for Ryan.
One day, they were very surprised to receive a package containing a worn and ragged stuffed lion. It had been sent by Ryan’s aunt, who lived in a distant state and had heard of the need for a fearless lion. She knew this lion was perfect for Ryan because she had already been given its strength when she had felt sad and lonely, being away from her family.Before it was hers, the lion had belonged to the aunt’s boss, who had needed courage while going through a painful divorce.
With this little lion, Ryan now could feel courage as he braved heart surgery and recovered in his hospital crib. And when he felt a little better, Ryan took his lion home to share with his family. As his parents watched Ryan progress, they eventually felt that their family could bear to part with the little lion and share its courage with others. They decided to send it to Ryan’s small cousin, who needed strength while waiting for a heart transplant.
But Ryan’s Lion stayed with the little cousin for only a short time. Even though he fought to live, the cousin just got sicker and sicker, and he died before he could get a new heart. The parents of this small boy were heartbroken. They were now the ones who needed the courage of Ryan’s Lion. They cradled it in their arms and sadly took the lion home. Ryan’s Lion now became a special beacon for the parents. Every day, they looked at Ryan’s Lion and thought of their sweet son. They also thought of Ryan, and of all those who had suffered before. The lion reminded them that others had been given courage and had overcome their great afflictions.When the parents held the little lion, they felt a bit of confidence and a growing hope. Like the others before them, they felt they must try to be courageous while waiting for healing and acceptance to come to them.
After many months of receiving strength from Ryan’s Lion, the parents heard that a young woman was struggling to leave her family to serve as a missionary for her church. Even though they didn’t want to give up Ryan’s Lion, the parents knew how much courage it would give to others, and they decided to give it to the young woman. So the young woman took Ryan’s Lion with her, and it gave her courage as she shared her faith with others. When she returned home, she gave Ryan’s Lion to another friend who also needed strength as a missionary in a foreign country.
After that, Ryan’s Lion was passed on again and again. The lion was given to a father and mother whose child was born with a serious birth defect, to a couple whose baby suddenly became very sick and died, to a young girl whose family wouldn’t support her religious beliefs, to a dying grandfather in the hospital, and to a young woman who was struggling with her self-worth. Once they could part with Ryan’s Lion, each of these people gave it to someone who also needed strength. Every person who held Ryan’s Lion became a little braver, a bit more giving, and a littler stronger inside. And each person understood that part of the magic of a ragged, stuffed lion was found in passing it on.
The baby Ryan grew to be a boy with a big heart. His sweet personality touched all he met. And sometimes, he talked about his heart surgery and proudly revealed the long scar on the side of his chest.
The story of his lion will never end. Ryan’s Lion will continue to give courage to all who hold it, feel its strength, and pass it on.
-by Fran, mother of Devin:
1 Response
[…] That little lion became a tangible reminder of the love and concern others had for us. It represented the fact that although they were helpless to do anything but hope and pray, our family and friends were there to replenish our dwindling supply of optimism and fortitude. I learned from that experience that one of the most valuable lessons to be learned from adversity is the fact that it teaches us empathy, and increases our effectiveness at reaching out to others who are hurting. I came to know that even suffering is not entirely coincidental in the great plan of life. Sometimes we experience grief because it puts us in a position to be a support to others. Ryan eventually required heart surgery to save his life. While he was recovering from his surgery, we had our first opportunity to pass on a Ryan’s Lion to someone else. A baby boy named Devin, was born to my cousin Fran and her husband Dave the same day Ryan was admitted to the hospital for his heart surgery. Devin lived only three weeks, but that was long enough for his little spirit to impact the lives of everyone who was associated with him. (Read more about Devin by clicking here). […]