Acknowledgments

As I reflect on the deeply personal moments shared in this book, I cannot do so without a debt of gratitude to the incredible sisterhood in my life. First, to my blood sisters, Annette, Bennie Ruth, Janet, Celestine, Bonita and Belinda . . . thank you for the love, hard times and happiness you shared with me over the years, along with my big brothers, Jackie and Ben.

Where would I be without the women friends who helped shape, nurture and encourage me through so many ups and downs? What would become of me without my book club girls (Marva, Judy, Tawana, Jonelle, Angela, Yolanda, Dale, KC, Pauletta, Gloria and Jerri), who keep it real and sane? Who cares if we don’t always read a stimulating book? Or my lunch club, which makes life so much richer: Robin, Gayle, Theresa and Tonya are like a ray of sunshine.

I am stronger and wiser because of many mentors who brightened my life, like Dorothy Hardy, my unforgettable English teacher, who helped me truly believe in myself. Thanks to my confidante, honorary sister and cheerleader, Agenia Clark, who always gives me reason to smile even during the dark moments of parenting and living; I’m also so grateful for the friendship of Ruhanna Neal, my spiritual mentor. Thanks to the brilliant Laura Morton, who discovered that I had a story to share, and to Mel Berger and Tracy Bernstein, who nurtured it along for so very long. And most of all to my kind, passionate and extraordinary husband, Al, who makes me believe in the beauty and challenge of love!

—D.R.

I want to thank my brother, Chris, and sisters, Alisa, Desireé and Patricia, for being family.

Thanks to someone I talk about all the time, Dr. Louis B. O’Donnell, my professor at SUNY Oswego who was instrumental in setting me on my career.

I want to publicly thank the man who gave me that first job doing television weather, Andy Brigham, the news director at WHEN-TV in Syracuse. He gave me my first invaluable piece of advice. “Roker, remember. No matter how hard you try, you can’t chrome-plate sh*t!”

Thanks to my second dad, Willard Scott. Your generosity and humor are still what help guide me today. And to my buddy Jon Harris, who was a great sounding board for thoughts, ideas and concepts.

Without the writing talents of Laura Morton, we would still be looking at a blank computer screen. To Tracy Bernstein, thanks for the guidance. And to Mel Berger, living proof that there’s no school like old school. You are a gentleman and a lover of the written word who gets it done.

Finally, to Deborah, the woman who has been my rock for the past twenty years, thank you for being the yin to my yang, the balance in my life and the mother to two wonderful kids and a guiding force to Courtney. I am so grateful to have been there and done that with you.

—A.R.