Sam & Ashlie Lewis Wedding ~ May 30, 2015 ~ Ashton was a groomsmen
1 Samuel 18:1 — “…the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
Proverbs 17:17 — “A friend loveth at all times…”
Proverbs 18:24 — “…a friend sticketh closer than a brother.”
Isaiah 41:8 — “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.”
James 2:23 — “…Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God:”
The Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 1:30 — “And now, Zoram, I speak unto you:…I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever.”
Doctrine & Covenants 121:9 — “Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.”
Growing up, I had no idea what a sweet and tender blessing good friends would be to me later in life. I made a New Year’s resolution just a few weeks before Ashton died (on January 28, 2014) to be a better friend. I thought of a few men to whom I wanted to be a better friend. I asked them if it would be OK if I remembered them on their birthdays. A couple of them didn’t celebrate birthdays anymore, but they appreciated the gesture. The rest said, “Sure!” To a man, each of them reached out to me after Ashton died.
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but these are some things that dear friends have done since Ashton’s death:
- Within a few hours after Ashton died, a friend stopped by to give me a hug while I cried and he gently said, “It will be OK.” He’s right; it will be OK. The more time passes, the more things are “OK.”
- On the day of Ashton’s funeral, someone anonymously planted flowers in front of our house.
- A friend composed a poem about the name “Ashton” and put it on a plaque that we placed in the ground in front of the ash tree that we planted in Ashton’s honor.
- Someone anonymously put up Christmas lights on our front porch railing. It’s now May 31, and the lights are still up — mainly because they bring us so much joy to think of the love that was shown to us. We hope they will last until next Christmas!
- I asked a friend to water our garden while we were away. Not only did he water the garden, but he also hoed up the weeds and rigged up something to better support the pea plants that were sagging almost to the ground.
- Some friends from college days made the effort to travel several hours to visit and console us. We had dinner together, then had a nice visit where we shed tears together.
- A friend from high school has called me several times to see how I’m doing.
- A friend invites me to ride bicycles with him — something we both enjoy doing.
- Faye’s friend from elementary school checks up on her from time to time.
- A friend who is grieving a loss still brings us delicious food in the midst of her grief.
- A family brought bottles of Fiji water — one per day for 24 days leading up to Ashton’s “Angel-versary” (the anniversary of the day he died). The bottles were each dressed up in homemade Fiji-like clothing.
- Several friends have asked us, “How are you doing?” — and really want to know.
- One of Ashton’s friends brought Faye some flowers for Mother’s Day.
- Another of Ashton’s friends had Ashton’s senior picture enlarged and encased in an exquisite wooden frame. He was married yesterday and had this picture on an easel — to represent Ashton being one of his groomsmen. He carried the picture down the aisle — with his new bride at his side — and handed it to us — amidst tears from us. God bless you, Sam, for remembering Ashton!
- My best friend on this earth is Faye. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather grieve with than her! What a special friend she is to me!
- My ultimate Friends are God, my Eternal Father and His Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as my Comforter, the Holy Ghost. I listened to the following song by Janice Kapp Perry (sung to the tune “Oh Danny Boy) probably ten times today. I hope you find it as comforting as I did. I think what touched my heart the most was thinking about what a Great Friend each member of the Godhead are. I love Them with my heart and soul.
The Love of God
Is fairest of all precious Gems —
A Gift from heaven that heals the sorrowing soul.
It settles softly on the sad and lonely heart.
And warms it with a Flame that makes the spirit whole.
In times of gloom or sadness, He will Comfort send.
And help a wounded soul to rise again.
His constant Love is like a timeless melody
That sweetly whispers, “I will always be your Friend.”
The Love of God
Is constant as the rising sun
The one pure Fount from which our blessings flow.
He walks beside us in our darkest hour of need
And when our faith grows dim, He shares our pressing load.
Our pleading prayers ascending to His Throne on High.
Are heard and answered by our Loving Friend.
His Kind Compassion warms us as His Wisdom comes.
“Hold on, My hurting child, the Light will come again.”
The Love of God
Endures when other love grows cold.
His steady Hand upholds us from afar.
He changes not from days and years of endless time.
He is our One Sure Rock, our True and Guiding Star.
Above the din of life we strain to hear His Voice.
And by His Gentle Words of Peace be blessed.
His Healing Love is Manna to our weary soul.
He says, “Come unto Me, for Here you shall find Rest.”
“Come unto Me, for Here you shall find Rest.”
Written by Carter
