My dearest Ashlynne,
Here’s wishing you what would have been your 20th birthday today — November 13, 2024.
Instead of writing out your card like I always did, today I will cherish our special moments while wishing you a happy birthday.
Tears of joy flow as I remember the day you were born. It was on a beautiful autumn sunset, the leaves of the trees clinging on to the branches and the sun casting its last golden rays through the hospital window. The sunray lit up our room, telling me another star was born and what a special gift you would be.
As I travel down memory lane, I sigh, I smile and I cry, knowing that heaven gave me the best 11 years that I could ever ask for. And today, Ashlynne, we who loved you honor your beautiful life, and we send you our sweetest memories and birthday wishes to you in heaven.
For those who did not know Ashlynne, here’s what I would tell you about her. She was such a creative spirit. For one thing, she was musically gifted. She loved the xylophone and piano, and she played those in her school assemblies every chance she had. She also was a natural born artist who won awards for her paintings.
In addition to those gifts, she was smart, shy, and kind-hearted. Her favorite food was spaghetti. Her favorite colors were yellow and purple. And for these and so many other reasons, her friends adored her.
Ashlynne’s desire to spread happiness extended to our farm, where she loved taking care of her animals. She had cats, dogs, and chickens. She was very special to everyone, and everything, she touched.
That’s why her loss has broken so many of our hearts. But that also has emboldened us.
Ashlynne was 11 years old when she was abducted and murdered on the Navajo Nation on May 2, 2016. A series of jurisdictional hurdles delayed the search for her, and because of that I worked tirelessly to ensure no other child, or their family, would need to face the same tragedy as ours endured. It was vital that Tribal lands improve training and access to the AMBER Alert system across this country.
The first realization of that dream came on April 13, 2018, when “Ashlynne’s Law” (S. 772) was officially signed into law as the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2018. Ashlynne’s Law now helps Tribal communities develop programs to safely recover endangered missing or abducted children. So much has been accomplished, while there is a great deal left to do—and a lot of support to make that happen.
I take pride in knowing that, and think Ashlynne would too. And to Ashlynne I say, your presence is so deeply missed. But your love and influence continue to touch so many lives. I believe that is the best birthday gift we can give you.
HAPPY 20th birthday, my darling girl. But to me, you will be Forever 11.
With eternal love,
Mommy
