Many people helped with the research for Forever Mine. Much appreciation goes to the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, and the wonderful volunteers who keep the Cape Meares Light accessible to tourists. In addition, Jim Gibbs, local historian Jerry Hysmyth, and Ruth Moore and Margaret Mahler White, both daughters of keepers who lived at the Cape Meares light.
Gratitude also goes to my critique group, The Wasatch Mountain Fiction Writers, and to my writing buddies who spent many days with me at Cape Meares while I wrote Forever Mine and they worked on their own books: Dorothy Keddington, Carol Warburton, Ka Hancock, and our friend Nancy Hopkins. Special thanks to Georgia VanDruff for her invaluable proofreading, and to my friend and editor, Kemberlee Shortland for all her help and encouragement.
Last but not least, I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of George W. Higgins, son of George H. Higgins, light keeper at the Cape Meares Light from 1901 to 1909. It was the wedding photo of George W.’s parents, which had been taken at the light, that inspired Forever Mine. “Old Hig,” as George W. liked to be called, enriched this story by sharing with me his special knowledge of the area, his childhood memories, and a ride up the Trask River Road. He quickly became a dear friend to me, and it broke my heart when he passed away before Forever Mine ever appeared on book store shelves. Thank you, George. I’ll never forget you.