Acknowledgments
Whether these people have helped me directly or indirectly while writing this book, my thanks is as big as my smile.
To you, the reader, who has stuck by Aeron or is meeting her for the first time. I hope that you love this book. Welcome in, enjoy spending time with the girls, and have a slice of cake. I hope you don’t mind her being fashionably late . . .
Katherine Hetzel, John Taylor, and Debi Alper. Thank you for keeping me smiling, for your friendship and your support, for coming to the launch, visiting, sending socks and sending love. It made a difference when I needed a smile, thank you.
To Liz McMullen, you always make me smile. Thank you for cheering me on, letting me take part in your projects, letting me be on your show and generally being awesome.
To Ann and Salem, thank you for being so cool, for caring, for dropping in to say hi and all the support. Ferb sends big slobbery kisses.
To Cheryl, I hope that this book goes some way to keeping you entertained. I hope it makes you smile and you know how a certain someone made a big difference.
To Lynn—you definitely rock a cover. I love it. I love what you did with it. It fits, it feels great to look at. Can’t really give you more smiles than that!
To the wonderful overworked typesetter—Sui, you may not always get the accolades but I notice you. I know how hard you work and it’s a real pleasure knowing you’re a part of the team.
Ian, Pat, and Eleanor. You make certain I’m fit enough to write and keep me moving, improving. Thank you for all your hard work and your smiles.
To Dr Dhanjal, thank you for listening, thank you for your patience and for suffering my questions with a smile.
Team Truth: Paths often merge for a while then split off in their own directions. You are all very talented, very much appreciated and I am very thankful for all the love and friendship you give me. A special thanks to Pam Shaff and Karen Kormelink for the sessions on Baltimore. It’s lovely to hear a city brought to life by someone who knows it so well.
Brie Burkeman, for your guidance, your patience, your faith in me and my writing. I said it before and I’ll say it again, it made the difference, thank you.
Debi Alper and Emma Darwin, you are wonderful teachers in such distinctive ways. I’ve learned so much, continue to learn and you both always get me excited to learn more. You help me to get better at something I love. I hope that your hard work shows!
Dr Hilary Thomas, auf Deutsch: Danke für deine Hilfe mit Deutsch. Du hast viel Geduld, Deutsch macht Spaß mit dir und du lehrst mit einem Lächeln. Ich denke diese ist richtig. Sowieso, vielen Dank! In case that didn’t quite make sense . . . thank you for your help and input on all things German, for having the patience to teach, for making it fun and for doing it all with a smile.
Claudia, for taking a chance on me, liking Aeron enough to give me a huge smile and for coming up with the fantastic idea of starting a publishing company. PS—Renee said she needs more tips on power-walking, Frei keeps lapping her.
Casey, for caring enough to talk me through American geography, patiently point out participles, listen to my dumb ideas and do it all sober. I love our Skype “have you got five minutes” sessions.
To Revd. Sue, Mr B, Fr. Mike, Revd. Jayne, Mr H, Revd. Pauline and all in the CNB parish. It is an honour to know you and a blessing to learn from you.
Moira Spence, thank you for being a fantastic guide and cherished part of my journey through the meditations. You taught me so much and continue to. Thank you very much to both you and Ian for supporting my writing, reading each book, and being kind with your thoughts on them.
Sandra “Sunny” (SFH.) Inspiring, much loved, much missed. I hope the fish market makes you smile even if it has moved . . .
My family, those here and in the next room. Your lives and stories inspire me. I hope that my work makes you smile.
Em, for trying not to glaze over when I’m talking about writing, again; for loving Aeron enough to read each book and sounding like you enjoy them; for putting up with me and Ferb; loving the gerbs as I do; spending hours and hours in waiting rooms, and for doing all the everyday stuff that you think I don’t notice.
Mum, for texting me mid-read to tell me you found something funny; for reading at Frei-speed; explaining grammar, walking Ferb, spending hours and hours in waiting rooms all over again; giving the best hugs and for doing all the things mums do without thinking.
To THS: You watch over me, you love me, you answer every prayer. I hope all my works, my actions, thoughts and the meditations of my heart shine with your light. Thank you for Aeron, for loving me unconditionally and for every blessing you give me. I hope this book makes you smile and it shines with your love. I believe in you.
Jody Klaire
August 2016