Though the writing of this book required eight years of my life to complete, I was not alone. I was bolstered by a small and special community of people, whom I wish to acknowledge:
SUZANNE DE PASSE, who made me believe I had a story worth telling and that I was worthy of telling it.
CALVIN HERNTON, who patiently gave me the tools of his artistry, and challenged me tenderly to be true to the word and find the true words.
KAY LEVATTER, my psychotherapist for seven years, who guided me carefully through the valley of the past.
AMANDA URBAN, my literary agent, who started with me and stayed with me because she believed in me.
LINDA HEALEY, my editor, whose pen was at once healing and merciful.
PIERRE ELBY, whose love over the past years gave me the spirit to see this through and whose support gave me the strength to do it.
DOROTHY CLARK, my mother, who gave me something more than I recognized when I set about this writing: the ability to write.