Acknowledgments

First and foremost I would like to thank Bryan for allowing me to write his story. Through all the many interviews, e-mails, texts, and late-night phone calls, I hope I was able to do his story justice. Bryan has been an inspiration and an example to countless people over the years. When his younger sister, Glenda, had both her legs amputated a few years ago because of illness, she did not wallow in self-pity or complain over her circumstances. Instead, she said, “Well, if Bryan can go through life without legs, then so can I.”

I’d also like to thank the rest of Bryan’s family for all their support! Glenn, Carol Jean, Becky, Jenny, Nedra, and Miranda for all the time they spent with me, answering questions and always being available when I needed something clarified.

Special thanks to my sweet, sweet husband, Matt, for always encouraging me to continue, even when I get frustrated and am ready to give up. Thank you for taking time off and allowing me to have writers’ retreats, so I could focus on and finish this book. Thank you for playing with the kids while I furiously typed on Pinkie-Pie (yes, my laptop has a name) and thank you for providing me with caffeine when I needed to stay up to complete the next chapter. I also want to thank my three beautiful children: Kalianna, Magdalyn, and Daxton for allowing Mommy to have some writing time and for always asking when Grandpa’s book was going to be done. I wrote this for you. May Grandpa’s example always carry you through the hardships in your lives.

I’d also like to thank Steven Novak for taking a vague idea and turning it into a gorgeous cover. My beta readers for all their input and advice to make this book better: Charlene Hirschi, Jewel Adams, Lauri Schoenfeld, Sara Ebert, Jaime Buckley, and J.R. Simmons. You were all so kind and encouraging! This book is truly better because of each one of you. Thank you Kim King for proofing, and for the boost to my ego. Roger, you are an incredible and generous friend! So glad I have you in my life! And to my editor, Juli Caldwell, who not only encouraged me, along with Mikey Brooks, when I felt this book would never come to light. But you truly were an amazing friend throughout the journey! You gave incredible advice and polished this manuscript until it was ready to meet the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

A special shout-out to my girls from the writing retreat: Kim King, Jill Pelton, and Jenny Rabe. Love you girls forever! Thank you for the break from daily life when I needed it most! This book never would have finished on time without that weekend away. Thank you! We definitely founded the start of a new tradition.

I’d also like to thank FotoFly for their professionalism and amazing job with our beautiful family picture, displayed in the back of the book. Kelsey was incredible to work with, especially for a family with four small children. I was extremely impressed with them, and will absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for a great photographer. I’d especially like to thank Eric and Marci Adams for allowing us to use the image for this book.

To the individuals who allowed me to use their quotes on each of my chapter headings, thank you! Thank you for letting me use your sage words to help set the tone for this book. And thank you for being examples in your own lives and for sharing your wisdom with the world. You took a chance on an unknown author and were gracious and kind, and for that I am truly grateful. These individuals are not endorsing this book, only allowing me to borrow their words.

And last, but certainly not least, I’d like to thank each and every one of you, for no book would exist without its readers. Thank you for picking this up and giving me the opportunity to share Bryan’s story with you. May God bless you in your lives, to overcome the obstacles that are thrown in your way. Attitude is everything.