Ashley Starkey, BSN, RN

Ashley was on the night shift and cared for my mom. On Friday, very late at night, after I had gone home, Mom was unable to settle down. Ashley asked, "What can I do to help?" Mom asked if she had any children, and Ashley said yes. "Did you sing to them?" "Yes." "Whatever song you sang to them, will you sing to me?" Ashley replied, "Yes, but it won't be very good." Ashley sang A Bicycle Built for Two to help settle Mom's nerves. Mom often sang me to sleep 55-60 years ago. What other nurse in the world does that for an 88-year-old woman? Ashley consistently went beyond excellence every day. She earned her own star in the heavens above. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about it, especially since Mom is facing a grim diagnosis. Furthermore, I am a cyclist. I ride about 5,000 miles a year. Some of my riding is on a tandem — a bicycle built for two. I often hum that song when I ride the tandem. For the rest of my life, when I ride tandem and hum, A Bicycle Built for Two, I will think of Ashley every time. Please thank her for me personally.