September 9, 2019
Yesterday, Bill and I took his delicious BBQ (brisket and ribs) to the fire station (Houston Fire Station 78) that came to our aid the night we found Ashley. They are right next door to where she lived, and on that night, I was able to go to the balcony and call down to them to help us.
During the month that Ashley lived there, I’d always go look at the fire station…one of my weirdnesses! Out of all those times, not once…not once…did I see any firemen or women down there. However, on this night, April 20th, as I raced to the balcony and looked down, they had just pulled in and one of the firemen was walking away from the truck, and I was able to get his attention.
They came up as quickly as they could, and broke the lock on Ashley’s door so we could get in. As difficult as life has been since that night, I can see God’s grace to us in so many places. Having the firemen (and woman) there where they could immediately come up was one of the first that I see as I look back. Their quick response allowed Bill to hold and hug Ashley one last time, and it gave me the opportunity to lay next to Ashley on her bed, and to hold her that one last time, to tell her how much I love her…as she took her last breath on her own on this earth. You have no idea what this meant to me and Bill. My time reference that night is very skewed, but I do know that all of this happened within about ten minutes. So, as her Mom, I’m so grateful that Ashley didn’t die alone that night. Had we called the police to break down her door, they would likely not have made it in time, and those three things I just mentioned would not have happened.
We are so thankful for the fireman and woman, the EMS crews, and the police officers who shared that night with us. How I wish the outcome was different, and that Ashley had been with us as we went to thank them.. But it doesn’t alter the hard work and dedication they exhibited that night, the skill and compassion they showed. They are heroes. They worked on my baby for an hour trying to revive her, and if you’ve never seen it in person (and I pray that you don’t ever see something so traumatic), it is hard work, and they could have easily given up. They did not. They prevailed, which allowed us to eventually get her to the hospital, and allowed Zach, my parents, and sister Cindi to come tell her goodbye. I hope you never have to call on these angels in uniform, but if you do, you will likely meet some of the kindest, most heroic men and women in Houston. I am so thankful for them, and grateful for their work ethic and their desire to save lives. Thank you to each of you who shared April 20th, 2019 with us.
And I am grateful to my Savior for giving us this grace, these gifts. 💕
