I was going through some photos to find some updated pictures of my daughter that I could print out to put into some frames I keep on the shelf in the family room. Looking at her photos one can’t help but notice how absolutely gorgeous of a young woman she is. It’s easy to recognize the exterior beauty she was blessed with, but all one has to do is stare a moment longer to recognize that there is far more to the girl in the picture than her external beauty. There is a sparkle in her eyes, there is a thousand-watt smile that could light up any room in an instant, and there is purity in her face that reflects the virtues she has chosen to live her life in accordance with.
“She was beautiful, but not like those girls in the magazines. She was beautiful, for the way she thought. She was beautiful, for the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved. She was beautiful, for her ability to make other people smile, even if she was sad. No, she wasn’t beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She was beautiful, deep down to her soul.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
This girl in these photos, this gorgeous daughter of mine, isn’t just beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She is genuinely beautiful, deep down to her soul. I am so proud of her for the example she has set over the years for so many other young women. I am grateful for the example she has been to me. She is strong. She is courageous. She is willing to put herself out there without letting fear get in her way. She is willing to try even when there is a risk of failing. She is willing to be silly and laugh at herself so she can help others have permission to be silly and laugh at themselves too. She notices the one who is left out and brings them into the fold. She stands up the underdogs. But most impressive about her is her desire to do all she can to make her Heavenly Father proud.
I feel blessed God allowed me the privilege of being her Mom. Love you Ashley!
~Amy Rees Anderson
4 Comments
There is a definite resemblance, it is obvious she is your daughter. Though, looking at the pictures you look more like her sister than mother.
Seriously you just became my favorite person! Thanks for the compliment!
Ashley has always been special, has always been loving, has always been physically beautiful, has always had that 1,000 watt smile, has always been an example of the very highest of virtues, has always been more fun than a barrel of monkeys, (haha)..she has always had that sparkle in her eyes that denotes a spark of divinity and she continues to get better each and every year. My questions to you are where on earth did she come from….and what did you do to deserve such an angel?
Susan I don’t think I can say I deserved to have such an angel for my daughter. She is one of a kind and even she doesn’t realize yet just how truly amazing she is. She is definitely her Heavenly Father’s daughter…I just feel humbled and privileged that the Lord trusted me to serve as her earthly Mother. And I can tell you there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel the weight of responsibility to not let her or God down when it comes to raising her right and helping her achieve all He intends her to achieve in her life.