Once again the good people at Harper worked patiently with me to produce a well-designed and carefully edited book. Thanks to my editor Lisa Bach, whose careful eye and support were of great help to me. Copyeditor Priscilla Stuckey has been an intellectual wonder on each of my books. Production editor Mimi Kusch, Author Relations Manager Judy Beck, Marketing Manager Margery Buchanan, and all the rest of you fine people, you are consummate professionals. May corporate America stop yanking your lives around and start giving us all a break.
This book would not exist without the wisdom of a number of amazing women. Christina Baldwin, Marion Woodman, and Marcie Telander’s interviews were priceless in their illumination of the subject. The wisdom of Deena Metzger, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, and May Sarton forms the foundation. Thank you.
To the many people I interviewed, who read my material and went on retreats, and who allowed me to experiment with them, “thank you” is but a pale approximation of what I feel. The gifts of your time and insight will illuminate many women’s retreats. To Cynthia Anderson, Audrey Berman, Anna Bunting, Saral Burdette, Sara Moore Campbell, Jeanie Class, Lola Clark, Barbra Clifton, Rhonda Foreman Cook, Kristina Coggins, Nancy Brady Cunningham, Sandy Danaher, Mary Davies, Maggie Davis, Candace DePuy, Lucinda Eileen, Mary De Falla, Susan Fisher, Jennifer Freed, Cynthia Gale, Dawn George, Don George, Kay Hagan, Jodie Ireland, Donna Karpeles, David Knudsen, Dennie LaTourelle, Diana Lieffring, McKenna Linden, Lola Rae Long, Paula Markam, Kim McMillian, Belleruth Naperstek, Rob Pasick, Carol Quest, Randi Ragan, Virginia Beane Rutter, Kim Schiffer, Diane Siegal, Barbara Shaw, Anne Simpkins, Barbara Walker, and Jack Zimmerman, my gratitude is immense. Thanks to the people who are not named because of their desire for anonymity and for those who allowed me to compose composite examples. I sure hope I haven’t forgotten anyone.
My women’s groups let me road-test some material and brought me back from the pit of despair too many times to count. You are unwavering heart sisters. I love you all.
To Michele, Beth, Mom and Dad, and to Anna and Ray, Julie and Diana, you continue to believe in me and be proud of me. You make me feel ten feet tall.
Anna, without your house to retreat to and your bookshelf to pillage, this book would lack heart. You are my definition of a true friend.
Barbara Moulton, you have listened to me kvetch for seven years now. You manage to remain calm and loving through all my ritually repeated doubts and triumphs. May we work together, and be friends, for many projects to come. And may I learn to trust this process somewhere along the way.
Chris, without your support in raising Lillian and your stalwart belief in my ability, I would never sit down at my desk. Your love is like a giant pair of arms encircling and supporting this book. I know this is a cliché, but I could not do this without you.