With Thanks

I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Writing a book is a team sport. This being the case, I extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks to . . .

The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (www.vcca.com), a very special place that fuels the creative flame of artists in every medium and where a large portion of this book was written.

Joyce Ely and Sarah Ely, of JEllen’s House of Fabric in Lyndhurst, Ohio, for inviting me into your lives and helping me to more accurately and meaningfully articulate the experience of people with Down syndrome and their parents. You are heroes to me and so many other people. God bless you both.

My darling and wise big sister, Donna Gomer, as well as Michael Kilty, the most interesting farmer I know, for their insight and enlightenment on matters of agriculture and animal husbandry. You were both an enormous help to me.

Another darling and wise big sister, Betty Walsh, who has raised nagging with love to an art form and without whom I’d probably never even have finished writing a letter, let alone eleven books. This is not an exaggeration.

My editor, Audrey LaFehr . . . whatever would have become of me if you hadn’t seen something in my work that others had overlooked all those years ago? I don’t even want to imagine. Thank you for that and for all the cheerleading, championing, and wise counsel you’ve offered in the years since. And most especially for your keen insights, which helped make this a book we can both be proud of.

Liza Dawson, a shining beacon in the firmament of literary agents, and, on so many occasions, my north star. You keep me calm and on course, you push me forward, and guide me home, and always with kindness, humor, integrity, and exactly the right amount of grit. You are the author whisperer, Missus D. You truly are.

And speaking of teams, to the incredible people at Kensington Publishing: Laurie Parkin, Lesleigh Irish-Underwood, Karen Auerbach, Vida Engstrand, Alexandra Nicolajsen, Meryl Earl, Paula Reedy, Kristine Mills-Noble, Martin Biro, and the entire sales division, as well as everyone involved in production, marketing, administration, accounting . . . thank you so much for all you do to help turn an idea and some loose sheets of paper into that most precious of objects, a book.

The writers—Dorothea Benton Frank, Robyn Carr, Kristan Higgins, and Lauren Lipton—for taking time to read the early manuscript and being so generous with your feedback. I took your observations to heart, and it has made all the difference.

And, of course . . .

The readers. In choosing this book, you have honored me with the most finite and valuable asset in your possession: your time. Please know how grateful I am for your ongoing support and encouragement. My very best wishes and humble thanks to each and every one of you.

 

Marie