Ashton was my hero. He was everything I wanted to be. Truly selfless. Ever loving. Fearful of nothing, yet aware of the dangers in the world.

He was a man who could do anything he put his mind to. He was brilliant. And, yes, he was a jack of all trades. Everyone came to him to fix... anything mechanical or otherwise.

Yet, this man -- capable of anything -- found his personal life difficult. After several back operations, employers considered him a "high risk". No one wanted to hire him, even though his back was stronger than ever. He went to the state employment agency. They told him the chances of finding work were slim, and to go on welfare.

Welfare. A dirty word in Ashton's book. Never. He kept looking and finally did find work.

Near the end of his life he snapped a previously broken bone on the side of his foot. He could barely walk... but he did, and when he finally found employment he worked without complaint.

He went to the VA about his foot. He was told either to live with it (broken), or chance an operation that would leave him crippled. Crippled would mean he couldn't work. He chose not to have the operation. Instead, he fashioned a "support" that he slipped inside his shoe, and continued to work.

I was so proud of him, yet I suffered inside for this man who so desperately wanted to make a contribution to the world. He didn't know that just being Ashton was contribution enough.

Through all the back surgeries and broken foot, it was most important to him that I succeed in my career. With every forward step I took he celebrated with me. And, I would learn later, Ashton would boast to his friends about my work.

I am a screenwriter and screenplay consultant. One of the most difficult and frustrating "careers" to pursue. I've been working for years -- through the years that he could not find work. But he never resented my small successes. He reveled in them. We would celebrate together. And he kept encouraging me, even though my work would often mean that I was locked away in my office for hours. Hours that I now wish I had spent with him.

I could never have succeeded without his love, support, and understanding.

He was proud of me and told me so every day.

I was so proud of him, but didn't tell him nearly enough.

Ashton was the wind beneath my wings.