It hardly seems possible Ashley Marie Sala has been gone for three years already, taken so quickly and unexpectedly. On a day when most of the latest high school graduates were enjoying a day at the fair, home from their first weeks at college, Ashley was on life support in a Fresno hospital. Her mom, Sandy, in surgery for a neck injury. They were on their way to Starbucks for coffee, laughing and joking about the prior night at the fair. It happened that quickly. For many of us, life changed that day, never expecting to lose such a beautiful young woman. I know her family will never fully recover from this tragedy.

Yet out of tragedy, came a gift. Ashley was a strong proponent of organ donation. Her older brother Kenny, just 20 years old at the time, signed the consent papers for her organs to be donated. In her death, Ashley donated her organs to six different individuals, who all lived a better life because of her selflessness. Her heart saved a 51-year-old woman, her lungs helped a 24-year-old live six months longer than she would have, her pancreas and kidney saved a 52-year-old, another kidney saved a 56- year-old, her liver went to a 63-year-old, and her corneas helped a 15 month old see.

For Ashley, kindness and giving came easily. At age 13, she went on her first mission trip, the Mobility Project, with the staff at Ponderosa Basin Chapel. She was so excited when she came home that helping others in need became a passion for her. Ashley was one of the kindest, giving, and most wellrounded young woman I will ever have had the honor to know. As I read through her Facebook page today and there seems to be a common theme: “miss your smile”, “miss your kindness,” “you have always been an angel,” and “you sure did a lot of smiling.” I write this in honor of Ashley Sala, one of my heroes. For those who were lucky enough to know her, say a prayer for her and her family who still grieve. I know she watches over each and every one of us from heaven.

Gina Wood