ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

FIRST AND FOREMOST, I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL TO THE reader, the person who makes an effort to meet me on the page. I recognize that books are an investment of your time, energy, and sometimes money, and I’m thankful you made space in your life for my work.

I have so many people in my corner, it’s not even a corner anymore; they’ve taken over the whole room. Thank you to my writing friends: my smart and inspiring hygges, Heather Scott Partington, Eileen Shields, and Lizi Gilad Silver; Mag Gabbert, who is a constant source of magic in my life; Leigh Raper, Kate Maruyama, Sara Marchant, John Mattson, all of whom listened to me groan about this book for years and offered gentle advice every time I was in a deep, dark hole; my MFA mentors and instructors; and everyone in my literary community, both online and off, especially the Binders.

I had a breakthrough at the Cambridge Writers’ Workshop during a conversation with Alex Marzano-Lesnevich, which led to the chapter about the rafflesia flower and the ending I had been seeking. And when I was on a deadline, Steve De Jarnatt offered me a quiet place to write.

A trip like mine doesn’t happen alone, and there were countless friends who championed my journey and contributed to it: they drove me to airports, sent me encouraging notes, connected me with other people. And then there were the generous friends I made all over the world: they opened their homes when I needed a place to stay, offered rides when I hitchhiked, fed me when I was hungry. I appreciate you all more than you’ll ever know.

After my computer broke in Bolivia, then in Argentina, then again in South Africa, my friend Case Garrison crowdsourced the funds to buy me a reliable laptop, and that was before crowdsourcing was even a thing. I am thankful to everyone who chipped in; all my notes, my blog posts, my photos, and my early drafts of this book wouldn’t have happened without you.

All my love to Karen Deitrick, who constantly demonstrates how to be a good friend. She drove all the way across the state of Ohio to spend time with me after my mom’s funeral, and I don’t have enough words to ever thank her.

Most of my relatives never understood why I needed to take this trip, but they humored me anyway and supported me the best way they knew how. A special shout-out goes to my cousin Tony, who has been my loudest and most enthusiastic fan, and my sister, who was my long-distance reading buddy while I traveled.

My dad still doesn’t believe my book is going to be published, so if you’ve made it to this part, Dad, see! Though I’m sorry we had to walk the long, sorrowful road of Alzheimer’s, I know grief strengthened our relationship. I love you.

Tod Goldberg, my friend–mentor–grad school director, helped give me the confidence to leave my newspaper job and aspire to be a better writer. He changed my life.

This book wouldn’t be in your hands without Dan Smetanka, the editor who took a chance on me. He shared my vision from the start, and he pushed my writing to be stronger and fiercer. I’m grateful my book found such a good home at Counterpoint. Eternal thanks to Megan Fishmann for guiding this book toward an audience.

My agent Dara Hyde is the best possible representative I could ever ask for; she saw the best in me, even when I couldn’t.

Of course I have to thank Jason, who knew the best way to love me was to let me go. He’s my biggest cheerleader and the reason I came home again.

And Everest. My light, my life, the very best thing I’ve ever made with an egg. Someday you’ll be old enough to read this, and I want you to know you’re the reason I don’t get much sleep. But you’re also the reason I don’t want to blink and risk missing a moment. I am thrilled I get to share this world with you.

This book is also for anyone who is a caregiver, who is a witness to a loved one’s illness, or who is grieving. Though I can’t take away your pain, I can sit with you in it. I wrote this book so you’d know you are not alone. The earth is big and kind and ready to embrace you.