October 25, 2002

This day, I will never forget. I was shopping with a friend in Utah, my cell phone rang, it was my brother Danny. I could tell by the sound of his voice, it wasn't good. I immediately left my shopping cart in the store and walked out to my car to talk. I remember word for word what we said to each other:
Danny: Susie, we're headed back up to the hospital with Ashlee.

Me: Oh, no, how come, you just barely got home with her.

Danny: She's just not doing very well, it's hard for her to breath.

At that point I could tell by his silence that he knew.

It took me a minute to try and catch my breath after we hung up, I just couldn't imagine life without our precious little Sissy. Then I called Paula at work, told her we needed to leave immediately and get to Danny and Lisa. We drove, for what seemed like forever and made it to the hospital. When we got there, we witnessed something so special, that I will never forget it....Before all of the family and friends arrived it was just Danny, Lisa, Paula, and I in the room with Sissy. We breathed Ashlee's every little smell in, took off her little socks and played with her adorable little feet, took her sweet little hands and stroked them down our faces, and told her how much we loved her. I've never felt more close to my family than in that moment. I am so grateful for that experience with Danny and Lisa. I have never seen more devoted parents. The rest of the family and close friends arrived at the hospital shortly, at 12:20 a.m October 26,2002 our precious angel left this earth. It felt like it wasn't happening. Then we saw, what I consider to be the most precious thing I've ever seen. Danny picking up Ashlee and dancing with her.
The next few days seem to run together, there were trips back and forth from Salt Lake for me and Paula. We knew Ashlee was already watching over us because we were following behind a semi hauling huge hay bails and Trin started to throw up, so I pulled over attended to her and then we got back on the road. Not 2 miles down the road that semi was tipped over and all the hay bails were all over the road. We called Danny and the three of us knew she was already watching over us. Danny said "that's my Ash!"
On a very snowy and cold day October 30,2002 we laid her to rest. I will admit, I hated the fact that is was snowing, but Lisa said "Ash sent it to Bud (Austin) because she knows how much he loves it!" After that the snow didn't seem so bad.

I will never forget this time with my family, it is something I treasure.

As for our sweet little Ashlee, I miss her everyday. I miss the way she would bring up her precious little hand and caress our faces, her feet, her stinky breath, the way she would jabber to us, having races with her and the little kids in her wheel chair, her squeal when we would take her legs and have her run, her laughing with Bud, feeding her thru her button, and most of all I miss her presence and her sweet little spirit.

Sissy, I'm so incredibly grateful for what you taught me. I never knew someone so little could have such an impact on my life. I miss you everyday and long to feel your sweet little hand caress my face. I love you and you are forever in my heart! Love Always, Aunt Susie

Danny and Lisa, Thank-you for bringing such a precious gift into this world. You are both amazing people and I'm so grateful for you guys. I'm thinking of you both today! I love you!