Events wholly beyond our control can sometimes abruptly and profoundly interrupt our life journeys and the journeys of those we love. As they are unfolding, the physical and emotional trauma that often accompany such events present seemingly insurmountable obstacles to our ability to move forward. We become stuck, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. Several years ago, one of those events drove Don Blackwell's daughter to death's doorstep. In the midst of her suffering, however, and largely as a result of her courage, Don came to realize that such events can also serve as critical points of reflection and opportunities for growth. He also realized that if we are willing to take a step back from the heartbreak of the moment and reflect 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 those reflections 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 come knocking on your door.

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.

Why not let LOVE in?Every day we see things that, at first glance, seem rather ordinary – a mother bird foraging for nest-building supplies, notice that a family pet is LOST stapled to a telephone pole, a little boy falling off his bike, a discarded bunch of flowers on a roadside trash pile, a father holding his almost-teenage age son’s hand, and a sidewalk hug.But, several years ago, Don Blackwell realized that if we pay closer attention, open our eyes a little wider, and reawaken the sense of curiosity, awe, and wonder that accompanied our hearts when they came into this world, we can see beyond the “ordinariness”. We can see something extra. It turns out the “extra” is everywhere, hiding in plain sight, and it’s unspeakably beautiful. In these pages, you will see it too, learn, as Don has, from the insights the “extra” has to offer, and be inspired, as he has been, to continue the search for a lifetime.

Events wholly beyond our control can sometimes abruptly and profoundly interrupt our life journeys and the journeys of those we love. As they are unfolding, the physical and emotional trauma that often accompany such events present seemingly insurmountable obstacles to our ability to move forward. We become stuck, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty. Several years ago, one of those events drove Don Blackwell's daughter to death's doorstep. In the midst of her suffering, however, and largely as a result of her courage, Don came to realize that such events can also serve as critical points of reflection and opportunities for growth. He also realized that if we are willing to take a step back from the heartbreak of the moment and reflect 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 those reflections 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 come knocking on your door.

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.

Why not let LOVE in?Every day we see things that, at first glance, seem rather ordinary – a mother bird foraging for nest-building supplies, notice that a family pet is LOST stapled to a telephone pole, a little boy falling off his bike, a discarded bunch of flowers on a roadside trash pile, a father holding his almost-teenage age son’s hand, and a sidewalk hug.But, several years ago, Don Blackwell realized that if we pay closer attention, open our eyes a little wider, and reawaken the sense of curiosity, awe, and wonder that accompanied our hearts when they came into this world, we can see beyond the “ordinariness”. We can see something extra. It turns out the “extra” is everywhere, hiding in plain sight, and it’s unspeakably beautiful. In these pages, you will see it too, learn, as Don has, from the insights the “extra” has to offer, and be inspired, as he has been, to continue the search for a lifetime.