Ode to Ashley

I didn’t know her very well, but I knew the brilliance of her smile.

I didn’t know her very well, but I knew the testimony of her grace.I didn’t know her very well, but I’ve witnessed her sweet spirit and generosity.

I didn’t know her very well, but she made me want to be a better person.

I didn’t know Ashley all that well. My first actual memory of her is the announcement that she had cancer. I watched her then, 18 or so, struggling through a diagnosis that devastated, yet she wasn’t destroyed. She was content when she was cancer-free and when she wasn’t. To be in Ashley’s presence was to feel a palpable peace. Ashley taught me something about the woman of God I want to be. The one she already was.

I remember the Christmas we celebrated her remission. I remember seeing her this summer, beautiful and gracious, sweet and lovely, a genuine smile on her face, when we all would have understood if she’d just stayed at home and cried in the face of yet another bad report. I never saw someone who fought so hard to live, who loved her family so ferociously. Ashley possessed a sweetness, a peace and contentment that I simply do not. When I think of her, I think of the light that shone out of her. If our purpose on this earth is to pursue God and glorify Him, Ashley got it right.

Ashley passed away this afternoon surrounded by her loving family. Her life is a testimony to all of us who are wandering through this life. Ashley taught me what God can do when we lay ourselves down and allow Him to work in and through us. Ashley had an impact on this world that won’t fade.

I thank God that I got the chance to know her, even if it wasn’t very well.