Rarely does someone so joyfully authentic come along and flash a light so bright, you can't help but feel a rush of hope.
Ryder Buck was such a guy.
He was charming and hilarious, ornery and aggravating, and he delighted in his love of music. Nothing more and nothing less than himself, his self-acceptance fueled his audacious dreams and taught him to have faith and just let go. Ryder lived a magical life, but he was also tested in ways many of us never will be. He endured the pain of a cancer diagnosis and the hardship of chemo treatment. And when the disease that should have beaten him didn't, his unimaginable fate showed up on a dark highway.
Then his light began to shine even brighter. It led his mother out of the dark tunnel of her grief. It cradled a family, heartbroken by his silent guitar, to find healing together. It has given people throughout the world the encouragement to be who they really are, to discover their own purpose- to wake up to the magic in their own hearts.
Ryder's story will inspire you to see your own light - no matter what life or death throws your way.
Shelley Buck was born into a creative family in the Midwest and moved to California after college to follow her dream of working for Disney. It was there she met and fell in love with her husband, Chris, who worked in animation. After they married and had their first child, Ryder, she stayed home to be a full-time mom to him and the two brothers who followed. She is an artist, writer, and storyteller, which she expresses through her original jewelry at ShelRae Designs. When Ryder was diagnosed with cancer and the journey went to unimaginable places, she poured her heart into writing their story. Her lessons in parenting through these tribulations, combined with the power of Ryder's larger-than-life spirit, offer profound messages for living in the light.
Kathy Curtis moved into Shelley's neighborhood when they were both 12 years old and an instant, lifelong friendship took root. She has worked as a healing artist and writer since 1991. Her programs support the transformation of grief, illness, and emotional barriers through creative expression. She is the author of Invisible Ink, a memoir about her own journey through grief. The unique writing process that brought her so much healing has since become a successful program, online and at various venues in the Midwest. Kathy's intimate connection to the Buck family, combined with her writing and healing background, made her the perfect person to partner with Shelley on the creation of this book.
