I AM FILLED with gratitude to my people, who have always received me with kindness, from the Rockport Colony in Alberta, where we were gently led to our grandmother’s grave, and to our friends at the Leask Hutterite Colony near Prince Albert, where I go to reconnect, to my home colonies of Fairholme and New Rosedale that I still love to visit, and all the stops in between.
Thank you, Susie Basel from New Rosedale, for giving me the dress I wore on the book cover, and thank you, Cousin Helen, for being flattered that I wanted it. Mothers have special “giving away” privileges.
Thank you to those who have surprised me with an old photograph or had me into their homes for Lunschen. Your stories and anecdotes have found their way into this book to give the reader an honest helping of our humor, our way of looking at the world, and our unmistakable candor.
Some names and places have been changed to maintain privacy, but the sweet and enduring essence of our culture has remained untouched.
A million thanks to Arvel Gray, the spiritual guardian of this book. Thank you for the many hours you spent weeding, watering, and nurturing my manuscript. Thank you for your sense of excellence, for your generosity, and for knowing that writer’s block is cured with a sizable piece of pie. Most especially, thank you for the skillful way you helped knit this story together!
Thank you, Catherine Hofer, for revisiting the memories of our childhood with me, for permitting me to use excerpts of the letters you wrote, and for your continued friendship. I cherish you and them, always.
Thank you, Darius Vetter of New Rosedale Colony, for access to your recollections and writings and for letting me sift through your old photographs. I know how much you wanted to read this book, and I hope it makes the library in heaven.
Thank you, Dora Maendel of Fairholme Colony, schoolteacher and daughter of Peter and Sara Maendel, for translating the Carinthian dialect and High German for me. It was a joy to work with you, especially in our own language!
It is with love that I acknowledge my brothers and sisters who took this journey with me, and Mother and Father for trusting me with their deepest secrets.
Thank you to my mother-in-law, Gwen Kirkby, a registered nurse, for guidance on medical protocol; to my husband, Gordon, for your support along the way; and most especially to my treasure Levi, for continuing to ask important questions.
I am indebted to Matt Baugher, who came to Canada to convince me to sign with Thomas Nelson. After so many years of rejection, my book has finally found a wonderful home. Jenny Baumgartner, you’re a gem. Thank you and everyone else at Thomas Nelson for helping me ready my manuscript for the rest of the world.