It was a long time ago and it feels like an eternity from a previous alternative life.
A few friends from high school and I got jobs at a factory in a neighboring town during the summer prior to college orientation.
Ashley was a few years older than I, and we only chatted on occasion during break periods at Modernfold. The most conversation came when she decided to visit the back of the plant where I worked with my buddies and Ashley’s dad. She always gave us a hard time and we enjoyed her company over break while we sucked down cigarettes per factory way of life.
Time took us down different paths but the podcast brought us back together. Ashley listened to previous podcast episodes of The World With Nate and reached out to share her encouragement and delight in the work I had done. After catching up and learning a little more about her journey, I knew she was a perfect guest to speak on the podcast.
My favorite part of my time with Ashley came after the episode recording. Knowing how special of a relationship Ashley had with her dad, I asked about his battle with cancer. Sharing the struggles and reliving those tough times together felt good for someone who has encountered the same battles. Seeing the demise of the ones we love at the hands of cancer is extremely difficult, but we aren’t alone. Thank you Ashley for helping me heal.
Unfortunately, the disease is very prevalent in our society, but by sharing our stories and hardships we can lend a hand back and help others through their tough times. There is growth for all inside of that. Thanks for the chat, Ashley! Looking forward to the event in September at The Field of Dreams.
