Dear Reader,

 

I hope you enjoyed A Family for Thanksgiving and all the stories in the AFTER THE STORM series. The old saying that truth is stranger than fiction certainly held true for me in writing this book.

Several weeks after I was invited to participate in this continuity by Steeple Hill in the summer of 2008, the town of Chapman, Kansas, was heavily damaged by a tornado. I attended high school in Chapman and it has always been a place dear to my heart. The damage to the community was extensive, but just as the town of High Plains struggled and succeeded in recovering, so are the residents of Chapman facing their heartache with faith in God and in each other.

No element of this story was taken from that tragedy. In fact, the basis for the series was laid out months before that tornado struck. However, I know that photos, news stories and eyewitness accounts of that event helped add realism to my own story.

Chapman’s road to recovery has been long and it isn’t over yet. The town will bear the scars of that storm for decades. But the people of Kansas are a resilient bunch. I have no doubt that their community will emerge stronger and more steadfast because of the trials they have borne. I wish them well and ask that you keep them in your prayers.

As always, I enjoy hearing from readers. You can contact me by mail at P.O. Box 16714, Wichita, Kansas 67216, or e-mail me at pat@patriciadavids.com.

 

Blessings,