Ashley, you filled our lives with joy and love

Your brown eyes sparkled bright as the stars above

You helped others to feel a sense of their own -worth

You are one of God's own angels sent to make a difference, here on earth

You gave so much of yourself to lift up others ' hearts

You were truly a master at playing all of life's parts

You had a voice as sweet as any bird

But you hurt and cried out, and God heard

No longer will you walk down the halls of school

For no one to speak your name seems so cruel

Your love was like a potion creating such an addiction

I am so sorry for the pain and darkness of your affliction

Your absence to your Father's heart has crushed

On your Daddy's Lips, your name shall never be hushed

You made him fall in love with you, unlike any other

Around your little finger, twisted there he was, yes your Brother

To us never did God create a more perfect creature

Mother, Father and Brother all three, loved each tiny feature

The people we thought and called friend

Your death to that brought an end

Uncomfortable is how they feel toward us

New friends to be made and new trusts

Behind a covering of fear the community does hide

Just because a child of mine chose suicide

I have cried an ocean filled with grief tears

Felt pain in the heart as though pierced with spears

Ashley, I hope you now are in a beautiful place

And pray God would take my heart and fill the empty space

Fill my heart with memories that will forever remain clear

All your antics, good and bad always to my heart will I hold dear

I have been told life goes on, and so I must

It is not easy to carry on, so in God I place my trust

I will cherish all the moments, no matter how brief

And pray that the memories can overshadow my grief

Yes, my heart has been broken and surely do I cry

To you Ashley I bid not just the last, but the hardest goodbye

Dedicated to my daughter with love: Cathy Roose