A Thousand Fireflies

Ryan is a classmate of mine and when I heard that he wrote a book, I knew I wanted to read it. I like to know people on a deeper level and understand what got them to where they are today. I had tears in my eyes reading most of this and there were times I had to dry my eyes and catch my breath to keep going. It's a brutally honest account of the tragedy that he experienced but he allowed himself to be vulnerable not only for his own healing - but so that others may see that healing is possible when all hope seems lost. Ryan and Dan have a beautiful way with words that is able to convey the grief that Ryan experienced simultaneously with the beauty in those broken places. I think my favorite thing about this book is how he existed in both realities simultaneously rather than accept one and deny the other. I am a visual person so the story about the fireflies really tied everything together beautifully. The darker the night, the brighter the fireflies appear. But no matter how many fireflies appear - they do not snuff out the darkness. They coexist. This was a raw, honest, powerful account of a very painful event - a prime example of why you should always be kind to everyone you meet because you don't know what they've been through. I'm proud of Ryan and how far he's come.

I heard about this book from a pod cast I was listening to about true crime. Since some pretty traumatic experiences I've experienced I've been interested in true crime stories. When Morbid podcast covered this case and mentioned that Ryan had written a book, I bought it. Ryan's struggle and need to understand his pain is admiring. Not everyone seeks and gets the help they need. This story is beautiful. This story tells me their is a light at the end of the tunnel. A thousand fireflies is an appropriate title for this book. Especially the story that comes with it at the end. Thank you for sharing your story.

I have had the pleasure of knowing, being friends with, and hanging out with Ryan for a few years now. He and I talked briefly on some of his experiences, but reading this book has really, really helped me to truly understand what Ryan has gone through, and it has really put into perspective what an astonishing human being he is.Instead of using this experience as a crutch, Ryan has used it as a source of motivation for himself, and a source of inspiration for others. Whether dealing with the loss of a loved one, or coping with grief of a completely different circumstance, you will undoubtedly gain confidence and reassurance from Ryan that you can, and will, get through whatever your current endeavor is.With this quite possibly being the only life we have to live, what choice do we have but to find light in the darkness?Well done Ryan and Dan.

I have read a lot of true crime in the past 30 years. I was a huge fan of Ann Rule because she was a victims advocate and wrote to help people recognize abusive situations and possibly save someone. I haven't been a victim of crime just a survivor of painful life choices, some mine, some others. I love the idea of conflicting raalities and learning to live with both. This is so helpful in facing my own trauma. Thank you. I know Dan and he is the real deal! I am seeing him too.

Just finished the book. It took longer to finish than I expected because I had to ruminate over many parts of it. Even after knowing a bit about what had been transpiring over these few years, it wasn't until I read the book that I could begin to feel what turmoil Ryan has endured - the push and pull of emotions, obligations, sentimentalities, and more. And I say, "begin to feel" because the only way to fully understand it is to be Ryan - or to be Dan, the most understanding person he must know. Dan and Ryan are both inspirations of hope and healing. -Jenny Williams

As a resident of the city of Port St. Lucie, these murders hit very close to home for me. Since then, I couldn't help but have a special place in my heart for Ryan. It is so awesome that he met such an incredibly talented therapist, and one who became such an important part of his life. It is also nice to know that he maintains somewhat of a relationship with his only sibling. That truly is unconditional love. Congratulations on the book, and thank you for sharing your journey. Best wishes to you and your new family as you move forward.

This book is a very emotional ride that you take with Ryan. He could have went down so many different roads & taken his life to a dark place very easily given how his world was changed. So many people would have because that would be the easy way to go. As a parent myself, I think that Ryan's parents would be extremely proud of him. The incredible way he explains how you can love someone & be so angry at them at the same time is something that I have battled with myself but have never been able to explain. He does it so perfectly!!!

Fantastic short written memoir of a horrific life changing (and ending) event in a family. But mostly the story of healing that followed. The advice and inspiration should b helpful to anyone suffering grief, loss, despair, substance abuse, or any other significant life trauma.Thank you Ryan, for having the courage to write this. And, thank you Dan, for helping to facilitate both Ryan's healing, as well as the writing of this book.

Ich habe den Autor des Buches letztes Jahr bei einem Trip nach North Carolina kennengelernt umd dabei von seiner traurigen Geschichte erfahren. Seine Eltern wurden von seinem jüngeren Bruder ermordet.In diesem Buch verarbeitet Ryan den verlust seiner Eltern.Die Geschichte von Ryan ist extrem traurig, aber es ist bemerkenswert wie er mit der Hifle von Freunden, Dan Yearick und diesem Buch diese traumatischen Ereignisse verarbeitet hat.Ein tolles Buch das ich auf jeden Fall empfehlen kann. Leider gibt es keine Deutsche Fassung aber das Englische Original ist nicht zu schwer zu verstehen.