We’ve now been without Ashley in our lives for one full year. Still so hard to believe. Her permanent marker was installed at Arlington, just in time for the one- year anniversary. As if that day wasn’t emotional enough, seeing it made it all seem more real, more final. As if it could ever be.  

The next day to get through is the anniversary of her funeral service which was on June 21, the first day of summer. I remember it was such a hot Atlanta day yet over 300 of her closest friends showed up along with 300 more online to honor Ashley and surround us all with love and support. We have made it through the year of “firsts”.  I really don’t know how, but we did it. Well, I have a pretty good idea of how--through God’s grace, the help of loving friends and family, and knowing that Ashley would want us to.  

We have tried to honor Ashley by putting one foot in front of the other to carry on and make her proud throughout the changing seasons, the holidays she loved and the milestones that she was not here to celebrate with us. She may not have been here with us here in person, but we know she was in spirit. Our year of “firsts”:

JULY 2022 - We know she was our heavenly lifeguard and seaside angel in St Simons at our annual family beach trip.

AUGUST 2022 - We know she felt the love and even made some wishes at her 43rd birthday celebration on August 9.  We know that she was proud of (I actually think I heard her laughing) about her parents posing together for Davis’  Back-to-School photo.

SEPTEMBER 2022 - We know that she was on the sidelines cheering for Davis in fall football.

OCTOBER 2022- We know she, as the ultimate party planner, orchestrated with friends to make sure there was a perfect 50th birthday celebration for Chris.

NOVEMBER 2022- We know that she was sitting by the fire with us in the Blue Ridge mountains for Thanksgiving and for my birthday.

DECEMBER 2022- We know that her Christmas spirit was with us helping us decorate, shop and worship even when we really didn’t feel very festive.

JANUARY 2023- We know that she was smiling and as we made the move from Tennessee to Georgia to be close to Davis and Chris.

FEBRUARY 2023- We know that she was here with bells on for Davis’ 13th birthday party with family and friends.

MARCH 2023– We know that her spirit was with us as the weather warmed and the flowers started blooming, promising new beginnings.

APRIL 2023– We know that she was with us on Easter Sunday as we each found new ways to worship and celebrate. We know she was at the hospital in Charlotte when our new cousin arrived.

MAY 2023– We know that her spirit was everywhere we were in Maycember—with Chris on their wedding anniversary, Mother’s Day, dance recitals and birthdays. We know that she was on the front row at Davis’ school for his last performance of the 6th grade.  And we feel confident that she was finally first in the carpool line!

JUNE 2023 and beyond – We know that her love and spirit lives on in the people she loved and the lives she touched. We know that she is everywhere she usually would be. For us. For you. She always made the effort to be with friends and family and go the distance for them.  We can feel her presence by visiting the places she loved. We feel close to her when we share funny stories that we know Ashley would love or newsflashes that only Ashley would know! We can see her through Davis’ eyes, smile and humor.  We can’t believe a year has passed without her. We love and miss her tremendously. And, we know that we will see her again one day.  

with love,
Shanda (Ashley's Mom)