She was open and honest, and always compassionate to her classmates when they had questions.
When her cancer went into remission, Ashley wasted no time getting back into a regular routine.
It wasn't easy, though.
Brain surgery was difficult, and she had to learn how to do many of the basic functions we take for granted all over again. Her body was weak from chemo and radiation, but she fought on, returning to school full-time in 1998.
Many of us will remember her parents Paul and Susan taking her to Turner Middle School for the first time since the surgery, and seeing the entire campus welcome her with open arms.
They found comfort in the welcome, but that didn't stop her parents from worrying that Ashley was doing too much, too soon.
But Ashley insisted. She had a will that couldn't be broken.
And when Ashley made her mind up about something, the best thing to do was just get out of her way.
I loved that about her.
Despite her illness and the pain that went along with it, Ashley saw every day as a blessing.
Every sunrise was a new opportunity to explore, a chance to make a difference.
And at the end of every day, she took comfort in knowing that she had earned the precious time that God had given while looking forward to the day ahead.
She never thought about dying.
She only thought about living.
When her second tumor was diagnosed just two short months ago, the O'Rears were told the prognosis wasn't good.
Instead of looking back and waiting, Ashley set her sights on the future.
During an interview at her home back in late September, I remember her telling me that this was just another setback to overcome.
"I've got things to do," she said, tilting her head to the side and giving me that trademark Ashley stare.
She kept on traveling.
In fact, the day before her passing, Ashley insisted
on going shopping with her grandmother. Despite Paul and Susan's objections,
Ashley persisted until they finally gave in.
A few hours later, Paul carried Ashley through the dpor
with her grandmother close behind carrying the packages.
Setting her down on the sofa, Ashley couldn't wait to
show off her purchases — a set of purple luggage.
When Susan asked why she bought luggage, Ashley said
that she needed them for her trip to Paris next summer with her French
class.
There were a lot of things she intended to do.
She wanted to get a pig to raise for next year's Ellis
County Youth Expo.
Instead of one pig, Ashley and her friend Casey Mulkey
picked out two, which she instantly named Tulip and Squealer.
We must have talked for a half-hour about her pigs,
and how much she looked forward to getting into the arena next March and
showing them.
But Ashley's unyielding spirit and determination weren't
enough to overcome the cancer that was destroying her body.
During a visit with the family Sunday, I learned that
Casey is planning on raising Ashley's pigs, and will show them in her
honor at the Expo.
Casey, who won the grand champion honors in 1999, felt
it was important to do this for her friend.
"Ashley will be at next year's show," she said. "Maybe
not in person, but in spirit."
What can you say to ease the grief or explain the loss of someone so special?
Ashley touched so many lives, and we are all deeply
saddened by her passing.
Our hearts also ache for Paul, Susan and Ashley's younger
brother Justin. Words can never soothe the inconsolable loss they must
be feeling.
All we can say is that we love them and we are here
for them.
We hope they take comfort in knowing how so many felt
about their daughter.
She was an inspiration, constantly setting an example
for all of us to follow.
Through her openness and deep concern for others, she
allowed us to share her life. And through that experience, to many of
us, she was like a daughter, and a sister, and certainly for everyone,
a very dear friend.
We share your loss.
I do know that the world is a much better place because
Ashley was in it.
She gave us courage to face adversity and the strength
to see things through.
She taught us that life is so very precious, and should
never be taken for granted.
But her gift that I will always carry with me is the
desire to earn each and every day that God has given us — to see each
morning as a new opportunity to explore and a chance to make a difference
in this world.
In her very short life, Ashley O'Rear made a difference.
I feel blessed to have known her.
Be with God, Sweetie. You've earned it.
Neal White is the Editor of the Waxahachie Daily Light. He has been covering Ashley O'Rear since 1998.