M
ommy, would you be sad if I died?” Disturbing words quickly tumbled from the mouth of four-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 playful wink and a promise to stay close by my side, childish giggles soon filled the air. Yes, everything was back on key, with no more talk of fouryear-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, homemade cookies would soon be on their way.
After tenderly kissing Ashley goodbye, 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 co-worker flipped on the television. Everyone in the office 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 here! She thought. 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. Luther and LaRue Treanor had taken Ashley to their social security conversation, 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!
Her mother-in-law and father-in-law, along with Ashley, were found among the dead. Kathleen immediately slipped into a deep, dark depression.
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.
Kathleen decided to plant 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.
When Kathleen awoke on the morning of September 11, 2001, 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 victims’ families, she boarded a plane and flew toward her destiny. By meeting the Oklahomans, the people of New York were able to see firsthand that time and faith heal 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.
And back in Oklahoma, Ashley’s Garden still blooms.
- Candy Chand