Ashleys Garden
Moms View Message Board: Youngest Angels: Ashleys Garden
Ashley's Garden
By Candy Chand
"Mommy, would you be sad if I died?" Disturbing words
quickly tumbled from the mouth of 4 year old, Ashley,
taking her mother, Kathleen Treanor, by surprise.
"Of course, I would, Ashley. I'd miss you terribly."
"But, don't be sad Mommy. I'd be an angel watching
over you."
With a wink and a promise to stay close by her side,
childish giggles soon filled the air. Yes, everything was
back on key, with no more talk of 4 year olds going to
heaven before their time.
A few days later, Kathleen brought Ashley to Grandma
LaRue's house. Grandma was a wonderful sitter, whose home
overflowed with love, comfort and joy. Without a doubt,
crafts and homemade cookies would soon be on their way.
After tenderly kissing Ashley good-bye, Kathleen
jumped in her car and hurried off to work. She'd hardly
arrived, and settled comfortably in her chair, with a
steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee, when she heard it.
A huge blast rocked Oklahoma City, and just as quickly,
destroyed her world.
Confused and unsure of what happened, a coworker
flipped on the television. They stood in reverent shock as
the news began to unfold. There'd been an enormous
explosion at the Murrah Federal Building. Kathleen could
hardly believe her eyes. "Not in my home-town," she
thought. "Not here!" Soon, young mothers were running
back and forth in a frantic search for their children.
Kathleen was horrified to discover there'd been a daycare
in the building. "My God, the children," she thought, as
she began to pray for the desperate families.
Within moments, her sister called with unimaginable
news, unraveling the last shred of Kathleen's protective
shroud of peace. Luther and LaRue Treanor had taken Ashley
to their social security appointment, which was inside the
Murrah building. Suddenly, the room began to spin.
Surreal humming filled Kathleen's ears. Ashley was in that
devastated structure - the one she was watching on the
news!
It took days to discover their complete loss. But
slowly, the details came forth. Her mother and father in-
law, along with Ashley, were found among the dead.
Kathleen immediately slipped into a deep, dark, depression,
not able to comprehend how evil minds could change the
destiny of so many innocent souls.
But months later, Kathleen recalled a prayer she'd
uttered just days before the bombing, pleading with God for
a message of hope to share with a hurting world. Then her
mind raced to Ashley's words just before the explosion,
"Don't be sad if I die. I'll be an angel watching over
you." Suddenly, Kathleen realized she was being prepared
for a mission far beyond her understanding.
In gratitude for the peace only God offers, she
planted a memorial for her daughter. Today, Ashley's
Garden is adorned with a graceful weeping willow, a
fountain, and an abundance of lively, brilliant flowers.
For all who see it, the message is clear. Life goes on.
Joy follows sorrow. Light rises from darkness.
Through 5 years of journals, and endless prayers,
Kathleen's dream to see her daughter's legacy shared within
the pages of the book, Ashley's Garden, have finally come
to pass, and her prayer for a healing ministry has reached
far beyond her dreams.
When Kathleen awoke on the morning of September 11th,
along with the rest of the world, she froze in disbelief.
America had, once again, been struck by the evil of
terrorism. In that moment, she knew, her words of hope,
and healing, would reach far beyond the borders of
Oklahoma. They would now take her to New York City.
So, along with survivors, and victim's families, she
boarded a plane and flew towards her destiny. It was there
she saw the ultimate fulfillment of prayer, as she escorted
grieving individuals, one by one, to ground zero, beginning
the long, but vital, process of healing. By meeting their
fellow Oklahomans, the people of New York were able to see
first hand, that time, and faith, heals all wounds.
No one knows what the future holds, but for now,
Kathleen's on a mission, reaching out to the hurting, the
wounded, and to all who grieve, with an inspiring message
of hope, born of prayer.
And back in Oklahoma, Ashley's garden still blooms.
Sniff, sniff... Thanks for sharing this, Sandie.
Beautiful
|
Members
