I want to thank my publisher, Kathy Lowinger, for her faith in Mrs. Kaputnik and her wonderful comments and insights, and my editor, Lauren Bailey, for her fabulous suggestions, encouragement, and hard work. And to my children, Alise, Debbie, and Daniel, and my husband, Paul, thanks for pushing me to write down the stories that you so patiently listened to over and over and can now share with our new generation.