Happy Birthday Ashley

I got this picture off Ashley's Facebook. Her Mom shared it on her page and it's just a beautiful picture.  Seeing her face and really looking at this picture, just made me want to write something about the beautiful person she was and continues to be in Heaven.

     

     I met Ashley through sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. I always thought she was so pretty. She was always such a sweet person as well. When I learned that she battling cancer, my heart went out to her. During the time that I spent around Ashley and was graced with her presence, I became amazed. That girl was amazing. She had a heart kinder that most ever encounter. Ashley was 100 percent a fighter. This girl lived life and didn't let cancer bring her down. It was impossible to have a bad attitude with her around. Her kindness was contagious. She always did such a good job with whatever she was doing. Her sweets were some of the most delicious around. You are really missing out if you never got the chance to experience them.

     

     I was never super good friends with Ashley, and we didn't really hang out or anything like that. Every time that I was around her though, she was just so nice to me. There is one moment that really sticks out when I think of Ashley. It was during Relay for Life 2011. Our sorority set up a booth, like most organizations in town. Ashley was mostly in charge of ours. Our theme was 'Curing cancer one CUPCAKE at a time.' We usually take shifts for selling the cupcakes and such. That night I spent pretty much the entire night at the stand selling. A lot of the time, I ran it almost by myself. Of course, there were others that helped at points and some volunteered to help but I was more than content selling them. I didn't want to leave the stand. I stayed there and didn't give my shift up. I actually stayed until we took everything down. If I remember correctly it was around 11 p.m. or midnight when we finished. I had one of the best times that night. I felt so accomplished. I also felt very proud. Ashley complimented me a few times on how good of a job I was doing, and honestly, it was the highlight of that night for me. I felt like I had made her proud. I don't know why I felt like that or why her being proud of me was even important to me, but it was and it's a memory that I'll always have. I never told anyone that or even told her. It has been something that has just stuck with me. I've decided to share that moment today since it's her birthday. Sadly, Ashley will never know the impact she has had on me, but the rest of you will. Maybe she is able to read this from Heaven. I sure hope she can. 

     Ashley was loved by so, so many people. The magnitude of people is just crazy to even think about. She impacted so many. I sure hope she knows how much of a blessing she was in the lives of so many. I wish I understood why people are taken from this Earth so soon, especially the good ones. I do believe that everything happens for a reason though, and she is no longer in pain. She has, once and for all, kicked cancer's ass. I'm sure she makes a beautiful angel.