Recognizing that this book could not have been possible without the support, direction, and love of many people, I gratefully acknowledge my family, who have put up with me a very long time, especially my husband, who loved me even without a publishing contract, and his parents, Charlotte and Eddie; my agent, Sally McMillan, who believed in my stories; my editors, Joann Davis, for saying yes, and Michelle Shinseki, who has made this endeavor such a joy; Sylvia Belvin and Frances Holt from Fran’s Front Porch and First Christian Church, Greensboro, North Carolina, for allowing me to use their recipes, Lynn and Edith and Eddie for the cooking advice; Carlene Neese for first explaining the friendship cake tradition to me; Kaye Crawford for “hatch, match, and dispatch”; the women with whom I romp on the first Thursday of every month, Julie, Judy, Peggy, Dorisanne, Terry, Dale, and Jacqueline; and all the other friends who make my life so rich, including Julie, Robin, Melissa, Ronny, Terry and Melanie, Charles, Steve, Katrin, Dave and Ella, Don, and, of course, Tina.
Finally I wish to say thank you to all the folks at Mount Hope United Church of Christ and First Congregational United Church of Christ. From you I have discovered how to recognize and honor grace.
And please note: A portion of the proceeds of this book will go to Hospice of Alamance-Caswell Counties, for here is where I have learned my greatest lessons.