Ashton playing Candy Land with nephew David
By profession, I am a family physician. My goal is to help my patients to heal from whatever malady they might have. However, my patients often also help me to heal. For example, two days ago, I received this email from a patient who is also a dear friend:
“Hello, Carter,
“We are writing to let you know that you are both in our prayers and our thoughts during these difficult weeks. As with our son [who also passed away in his 20’s], our thoughts often go to times of great enjoyment that we had with him. There are many, many of those. Without a doubt there are many such memories that you have with your son as well.
“May peace and blessings be with you in great abundance at this time.”
Thank you, dear friend, for helping me to heal as I remember that it was two years ago today that Ashton passed away.
With that backdrop, I have chosen to make today “Happy Memories of Ashton Day!” Would you like to join me? If this goes well, we may do this again next year – and maybe every year on January 28.
Here is my memory:
Ashton loved playing games – any type of game. It didn’t matter so much whether he won or lost; he just enjoyed playing. When Ashton was about 14, he and I stayed up on New Year’s Eve playing Lord of the Rings Risk. Ashton’s older brother, Jordan, went to a friend’s house to welcome in the new year. When he came home after midnight, we were still playing. I think we finished at about 1 a.m. I don’t remember who won. I just remember having fun with Ashton and knowing that he was having the time of his life!
Thanks for remembering with me!
Your turn!
Please consider sharing your favorite happy memory on the blog or on Facebook. Please also consider spreading the word through social media so others can share, as well. It’s OK to keep sharing memories over the next several days/weeks/months, too!
Thank you for helping us heal!
Written by Carter
This is a great friend. Thinking of you and your family this day.
God bless you today! I am thinking of you and hope your day is full of peace and love. Love and hugs from Peggy Judd
Malcolm Thurling was a wonderful, selfless, human being. I lost him to colon cancer after only 11 yrs of a wonderful, happy, marriage. We married late in life in our 50s and hoped for marriage to last into 80s. Must accept what happened and move in forward direction. It has been 9mos since his passing, life has lost joy and meaning for me. I keep busy with so many activities for 4-5 days weekly: cinema,lectures, astronomy with telescopes, astronomy lectures, organized hikes with San Pedro House volunteers, eating meals with friends, concerts, and gym 4-5 days weekly. These activities help but, don’t take away the pain of missing my soulmate and best friend!! I know I have improved over the months but, I still cry daily.
Frieda, I wish I could have met Malcolm in this lifetime. He sounds like someone I would have enjoyed spending time with. You are in my prayers as you are grieving. I’m glad you are able to cry; tears can be so healing!
I loved that Ashton would let me call him “Squishy” or “Squish”. I’m sure sometimes he didn’t like it, but he never said otherwise. He was the squishy-est baby I’ve ever encountered! That’s how he got his name. You would hold him and he would just melt into your arms & was just so soft!! But even as he got older (even as a big, burly football player) you could still melt into those warm hugs of his. And then as a missionary he was still “Elder Squish” to me, and always will be. I’m glad he let me call him that throughout his life. I hope he knew it was a term of endearment. Wish I could get that squishy hug now. Love & miss you, Mr. Squish!
Thanks, Marph, for being such a loving aunt to Ashton — and to all our children! We love you!
Carter & Faye, I will always remember your family today, as today was Joshua Raye Nieman, my son’s 33rd birthday! I baked 2 cakes in his memory & tacos for d inner.
Cassie, thanks for reminding us of your beloved son, Josh. You are in our prayers!
I absolutely CHERISH the times Ashton came to
visit our family when we lived in Indy! He was always SO good with my children. He had/has such a natural ability with children and all children LOVE him! It is because he is so good and kind and patient with them. I love you Ashton!! Love, Sissy 🙂
Thanks, Sissy, for being such a loving older sister for Ashton! Yes, he LOVED being with you and your family! I trust the Lord’s promises that we will be a family in the eternities, also! I love you!
Although I may not have had the pleasure of knowing Ashton here on earth he has given me many happy , joy-filled memories of him through the love and shared memories of his beautiful, kind, and loving mother Faye who I am blessed to call my sister, my friend. Every time I am welcomed into Carter and Faye’s home I am surrounded with not only numorous pictures of our Glorious Lord but also various pictures at all different ages and stages of the well-loved Mayberry children . Ashton of coarse is always among them. His beautiful smile and shy loving face always beaming. Faye loving shows each and every picture I admire and inquire about supplied with a backgroud story or peak in to the past as to how the particular photo came to be. I enjoy each and every moment and memory Faye generously shares with me. I have not been blessed with any children of my own ( at least not the human kind.) My kids all have fur and 4 legs. But through Faye’s willingness to share her love and joy with all her children and grandchildren–I too have memories and joy and fun with Ashton. I know he was cleaver, funny and yet shy. When I look at pictures of Ashton–I see a boy/ young man who is well-loved. I see my friend Faye’s eyes beaming back at me. So, I may not have laughed with him here on this earth but I now when I go home and I finally meet Ashton we will share much laughter and joy.
Vikki, thanks for your kind and generous remarks. We treasure your friendship. Thanks especially for being a dear friend and support for Faye.