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Family of Rylie Guentensberger begins 28 days of kindness

The kindness they experienced while Rylie was in the hospital made them think of her and the ripples she started – the ones they could help grow into waves.
Credit: Rodriguez, Jacob

KUSA – Every wave starts with a ripple. Twelve-year-old Rylie Guentensberger created ripples with little acts of kindness.

“She would always leave little motivational notes for people and a lot of times they said just, ‘be happy,’” said Rylie’s mom, Meghann.

The ripples Rylie created made her mom smile. She’ll always remember the day at Miller Activity Complex in Castle Rock two years ago.

“[Rylie] found a lily that was just floating unattached and saved it because that was what Rylie does,” Meghann said. “I snapped a picture of her over by the pond and the rocks with her flower and ginger beer.”

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There were acts of kindness and silliness, too. Rylie’s dad, Ziggy, remembers those experiments in the kitchen.

“Trying to get her brother to taste all kinds of funky concoctions,” he smiled. “Those are, you know, those are cherished moments for me.”

One year ago, a car crashed into a Parker running store while Rylie was inside with her mom. Rylie was struck by the vehicle and was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

“A tragic accident happened at that time and that’s kind of the last time that we had experienced Rylie full of life,” Ziggy said.

Parents lost their daughter 28 days after the accident. During the most difficult time in their lives, Meghann and Ziggy Guentensberger were overwhelmed by the amount of support.

“Those 28 days restored my faith in humanity,” Meghann said. “There was never a moment that Ziggy and I didn’t feel loved, supported, prayed for, the whole 9 yards.”

The kindness they experienced made them think of their daughter, Rylie and the ripples she started – the ones they could help grow into waves. The couple started the non-profit Rylie’s ARK to honor their daughter’s memory and spread kindness to those in need. On the one-year anniversary of the accident, the Guentensbergers chose to build off the little ripples of kindness their daughter created.

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“Starting today, we are kicking off 28 days of kindness,” Meghann said. “For 28 days, we’re building the habit of kindness and going to reach out and do just small things for people.”

On Sunday, the couple visited Miller Activity Complex where Meghann took the photo of Rylie with her lily a couple years ago. It’s the place where the family held Rylie’s Celebration of Life and where a new bench was installed overlooking a pond.

“That bench is inscribed with that phrase, ‘be happy,’ and [Rylie’s] name,” Meghann said. “So, it’s just a special kind of a place we can come and be with her.”

Those who sit on the bench can watch ripples in the pond grow and be reminded of the kindness of a 12-year-old girl.

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