In this soul-stirring book, a parent offers support, advice, and honest self-examination as his child recovers from a life-threatening eating disorder.

Events wholly beyond our control can sometimes abruptly and profoundly interrupt our life journeys and the journeys of those we love. Often, in the face of great physical or emotional trauma, we become paralyzed by fear and uncertainty.

Several years ago, one of those events drove Don Blackwell’s daughter to death’s doorstep. Thanks to her courage in the midst of suffering, Don realized that such events can also serve as opportunities for reflection and growth. Taking a step back from the heartbreak of the moment and reflecting on the matters of the heart that surround those events, they can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves, of those we love and of the human condition.

Dear Ashley

is a collection of personal reflections like these, and the intimate father/daughter letters used to convey them—shared in the hope that the unique perspective they offer will provide guidance, understanding, and healing when life’s challenges inevitably come knocking on your door.