<<< Previous		Waxahachie Daily Light		Wednesday, November 28, 2001
Indeed, Ashley touched lives around the world, given the power of the Internet and the presence of a Web site created by her father to spread her story. Often recognized for how she proceeded to live her life in the face of the obstacles before her, Ashley's latest achievement was being named a torch bearer for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.    Quoting from an essay written in Ashley's honor by Daily Light Editor Neal White, Kilmer said, "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. ..."    God uses special people and their lives to impact others, Kilmer said. "I think about the difference Ashley made in all of our lives. ... All of us know Ashley brought us closer to God (and) today she is shining as one of those stars, a beautiful light in our heavens forever. She has the privilege of resting with Jesus and sharing eternal life in heaven with him. ... What a great legacy -- to shine with the stars in heaven and to be with the Lord forever."    Richard Gookin gave tribute to Ashley, recalling also many of his own cherished memories of her life.       "This is truly a wonderful gathering of the people that loved Ashley so much," he said, counting amongst those all who had come to love her as her story reached all corners of the world. "Ashley was a beautiful young lady (and) once she made eye contact with you, she had you right where she wanted you."		Gookin described Ashley as a bright, intelligent young lady who had a gift of being able to converse with anyone -- and to hold her own.    "She was tough," he said, describing her life as that of a batter having to face a 100 mph, high and inside fastball. "What did she do with it? She hit it outside of the park. That tells you about her grit and how tough she was, and how she faced the challenges."    Bringing smiles to many, Gookin recalled Ashley's particular love of "shopping."    "She loved to shop," he said, noting how the Briar Patch and the hospital gift shop had vied in their friendly competition to be the first to place the newest Beanie Baby in her hands.    "She loved clothes, dolls, Beanie Babies, shoes, jewelry," he said. "There was a Thursday night auction at Lancaster -- she loved to do that."    Ashley had many loves, Gookin continued, as he described her zest for life and all that it offered.    "She truly loved all of you people," he said, talking also of Ashley's involvement with 4-H and FFA. "She loved ag, the food show, the photography, the community service and doing for other people."       Travel was yet another activity Ashley had lived for.    "She loved to travel and had made two trips to Washington, D.C., with school. Just recently, she and her family were privileged to go to New York through a benefactor. Ashley loved every minute of that trip, taking in all of the sights and sounds. She also got in a lot of shopping," Gookin said, bringing out more smiles. "The family has said some of the best memories they have are of that trip."		Ashley never stopped planning her future, which included a Christmas trip to New Orleans and a spring trip to New Mexico. "Next summer, she wanted to go to Paris, France, with her classmates," Gookin said, "and, in the back of her mind, she was getting back to New York City."    Ashley also thoroughly enjoyed school.    "She loved her classmates and her teachers," Gookin said, expressing the family's appreciation to the teachers who had worked with her through her illness. "She loved being in school and her grades were very important to her. Because her teachers worked with her, she felt that she owed it to them to make good grades -- even when she was ill."    Above all, Gookin continued, Ashley loved the Lord, her church and being involved in its activities.      "When she was questioned about how she faced her disease, she had a response that never wavered: 'You must trust in God and never give up.' And she often followed up that with, 'I've got things to do.'"    Of all of his memories, Gookin said the one most in his mind is that of her father, carrying Ashley in his arms to the front of the church several weeks ago as she accepted the invitation to be baptized.    "She was too frail herself to even walk forward, but she knew what she needed to do, and she was carrying on with it," he said. "It's a picture I'll never be able to forget. It's a wonderful portrait of love, faith and hope."
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