Ashia James Obituary

Ashia was one darling granddaughter who always lived far away but had a special place in our hearts and in our lives. Oh, how we miss her! While growing up she wrote us sweet letters and drew cute pictures. She always finished our "tea" parties (actually cookies and milk) by drinking out of the spout of the pitcher. She went camping with us in KOA Kabins in Loveland or in tents or motorhomes in Dolores, and always spent time with us at our home while visiting her dad and Brandy in Farmington, New Mexico. She enjoyed being with her many James cousins in Farmington where they went boating and swimming in warm Morgan Lake, playing Slap Jack, having parties, riding 4-wheelers. She was always up for an adventure and we had many through the years. She was thrilled when she got to share some of those experiences camping in Dolores and riding those same 4-wheelers with Ty, Jay and Juni.
I remember one day when she was about five I asked her if she liked peas and she said she loved peas. I told her we had some growing in the garden. She was surprised so we went and picked some. She was leery to try them as she looked at them lined up in the pod, but at my urging she tasted one and spit it out. I said, "I thought you liked peas." "I do," she answered, "but I only like real peas out of a can. Not ones that grow in the garden." She hated that story.
I remember when she was in Hawaii with her dad and Brandy, me and Grandpa. She loved being there, shopping, wading in Waikiki Beach, shopping, seeing pineapples grow, shopping and buying matching Hawaiian outfits, oh, and did I mention shopping.
On our last camping trip Mike invited us over to their camp one evening. Ashia had fixed a special treat for me - dark chocolate cupcakes with orange frosting and a tiny slice of fresh orange. Mike had told her one of my favorite things was dark chocolate covered orange sticks. The cupcakes tasted like them. They were decorated beautifully and so delicious! I was very honored she did that for me.
That was Ashia. Sweet, thoughtful, loving. A granddaughter I loved and cherished. Throughout her life each time we said goodbye I would hold her close look into her eyes and tell her I was taking a picture with my eyes to keep in my heart until I saw her again. Though my heart aches to see her again I have the most awesome memories stored there until we meet again.