Journal entry by Chloe Damberger —
Ryan Gordon Damberger- lightworker, stargazer, stonemason, artistic genius, bringer of peace and kindness, skilled baker, lover of color, voyager of the Earth- went to be amongst the stars under the last full moon of the year on December 27th, 2023.
As I told you all before- Ryan never once complained about the lot he was given. He strode through the last year with strength, kindness, grace and an unwavering courage that bolstered the rest of us in our darkest moments of fear and uncertainty. He was so brave, and still so perfectly Ryan, in every single moment.
If you knew Ryan, you knew his kindness. Even on his last day Earthside, he was making sure everyone around him was going to be alright when he finally took his trip to the other side. He spoke kindly snd intentionally sat and listened to each person who visited, making jokes and giving hugs up until his last four hours, where he gently fell asleep holding his daughter Aeva's hand and gazing at the nebulas and constellations projected on the wall by a small astronaut projector. And at 3:00 am, when everyone was peaceful and asleep and he knew all things were calm and going to be okay- he departed.
We are honored to have been there for every step of this journey with Ryan. He continues to inspire, even now. His determination, and boundless love in every moment of his battle gave so many of us a perspective unlike any we have ever known. Being happy is a choice, loving and giving fully of yourself is a gift, and life in every one of its moments both painful and beautiful is an irreplaceable privilege.
We will celebrate Ryan's life on what would have been his 35th birthday- July 28th, 2024. His celebration of life will take place at the Montana State University Student Union Building, on the campus where Ryan spent so much of his childhood and adulthood. We invite anyone who would like to attend to come celebrate his joy, his lively gentle way of existing, his passions and his strength.
Ryan did not want anyone to fall into despair with his passing, but asked that it give motivation to live more fully every day and seek happiness in each moment. He did all those things up until his very last hours- he was continuing to give so wholly of himself, even then. We are so honored. To have known him is to have loved him.
In lieu of flowers, Ryan asked that donations be made to the American Cancer Society to support furthering research of colorectal cancer and gene mutations and to provide support and education for those in need.
He's in the stars- don't forget to look up.
We Are StardustEvery atom of oxygen in our lungs, of carbon in our muscles, of calcium in our bones, of iron in our blood - was created inside a star before Earth was born.
Hydrogen and helium, the lightest elements were produced in the Big Bang.
Almost all of the other, heavier, elements were produced inside stars.
Stars forge heavy elements by fusion in their cores. In a star of intermediate mass, these elements can mix into the star’s atmosphere and be spread into space through stellar winds.
During the supernova explosion of a massive star is the only time when elements heavier than iron are fused. The supernova expels this material across interstellar space.
The enriched material ejected by stellar winds and supernova explosions becomes parts of vast interstellar clouds. The Sun formed within such a cloud, where some of the heavy elements condensed to form Earth.
“I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journeywork of the stars.” - Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
From: The American Museum of Natural History, Hall of the Universe
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