A Prayer for Ashley Simpson

There is no shame in the way you left us

Ashley

You made the world a better place

You healed hearts

Sang songs

And led the small children

Like a pied piper

And made tears turn from sadness to laughter.

You have earned your wings.

There is no shame in running home

Ashley

There is no more pain and sadness

Only cool lakes

Frosty drinks

And skies that go on forever.

For five years, we have cursed and cried

Ashley

Damned the injustice

And sought reason

While you consoled us

With your lovely eyes

And magical smile

Shining back at us from all those selfies

On your Facebook page.

You are 32 forever

Ashley

Beautiful, strong and joyful

And we cannot wait

Until that wonderful day we meet you again.

In the meantime, we will keep your place warm

Right here at the bonfire

Eating mom and dad’s good cooking

And telling stories about you.

We'll play all of your greatest hits.

And hope you will hear us.

But know that despite the smiles

Our hearts are shattered.

And can never be made whole.

We go on in your name

Ashley.

And fight for you

Because we made a promise

To your mom and dad.

Never Give Up.

And we never will.

There is no shame on this rainbow day

Ashley.

Just birds that mark your passage

Dancing in the wind and light

At Margaret Falls

Where you have found a new beginning

A new and glorious musical dance

Accompanied by the wavering breath of a silver flute.

The trees join in, singing softly

And whisper your name

Ashley

In celebration of all that is good

In celebration of all that is eternally you.

Comments

Ashley Simpson: Don't Let Her Die in Vain

Six years ago, I was combing through my Facebook and I saw post from my cousin Julie Major. Her brother and his wife were frantically looking for their daughter Ashley who just days before had Facetimed her mom saying she was planning to return to her home in Niagara. Ashley never made it home. She was murdered in cold blood in her home in Salmon Arm then buried in a nearby field. It would be five and a half years before her body was located, and her boyfriend was charged with second degree murder. Today, Ashley's urn has a sacred spot in her parents' home, and Derek Favell is in jail awaiting trial by judge and jury. The trial is expected to go into next year sometime. This has been an agonizing journey for Ashley's friends and family. The pain has never stopped, and the wounds are broken open every time the family has to sit through a series of pre-trial proceedings. Fortunately, this ordeal will end but the pain will never wane for the people, including me, who have b...

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