The First Letter
Dear Asher,
An old African proverb says, "When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground." As I look toward the Act Two of my life, I realize there are so many things I want to leave to you and my grandchildren, if the Lord gives them. I have stories, lessons, fun facts, memories, warnings, and insights I have collected over the years, and time is running out for me to share them all with you.
"Dear Asher" is my attempt to leave you a library. When I am no longer around, you and those you love will have my voice, my words, and a wealth of insight into how to keep practicing the way of Jesus in a world that is getting increasingly darker.
In all humility, Asher, I know I don't know everything. There are so many other voices out there, and I will share the ones who have impacted me throughout this project. But as your Momma, I hope my voice is one that you will continue to gain wisdom from. As you get older and start forming your own thoughts and opinions on the world, some of your ideas may change from mine, and that is okay. If we aren't growing, we are slowly dying. I hope you always have a growth mindset and continue learning from others.
There is one thing that I hope never changes: your love for Jesus. Keep growing in Him, Asher. Root your family in Him. Keep on Practicing the Way and establish and build your life in Him. There is no other way to life and life abundantly, Buddy. There is no other way to eternal life. (John 15)
Erin Kramp
When I was nineteen years old, I watched an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show where she interviewed a woman named Erin Kramp. Erin had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was aware that she was dying. She realized that her 6-year-old daughter, Peyton, would have to grow up without a mother.
In response, Erin decided to record hours and hours of videotape giving her daughter motherly advice. Even during her difficult cancer treatments, Erin wrote letters to her daughter and bought gifts for her to open every Christmas and birthday, ensuring that Peyton would have guidance and love from her mother even after she was gone.
I always remembered that episode, Asher. It profoundly impacted my life, as it did Oprah's. Oprah called Erin "a "heart print for her extraordinary legacy of love."
In June of 2023, I started feeling like I was running out of time. Even though I don't have a terminal diagnosis like Erin Kramp, I still felt that time was so limited and finite, and it was slowly drifting away from me. I asked the Lord, "What am I running out of time for? What are you trying to show me?" The Holy Spirit brought the story of Erin Kramp to my mind, a story I hadn't seen or heard of in over twenty-five years.
(If you want to see Erin on Oprah, you can see her interview here.)
I guess "Dear Asher" is my way to do what Erin did for Peyton.
I want to leave you a legacy of love.
I want you to know that you were and are the very best of my life.
I want you to know Jesus in a real-life kind of way.
I want you to be with Him, become like Him, and do what He did in your corner of the world.
I want you to know that always and forever you are happy, fortunate, and blessed.
So, dear Asher, these are my letters to you . . .
