with my Gratitude
To that all encompassing, larger than us, loving and uniting presence that many like to call God, thank you for your gifts, your blessings, the awesome times that gave me a taste of joy, the hard times with their extraordinary lessons, any bit of natural talent I have, and the drive to create. In the beginning and in the end, it’s all about you. Thank you and amen.
To my writing group partners and writing buddies throughout the years, Elizabeth Postovit, Joy Solmonson, Bernie Nofel, Aurelie Thiele, Pamela Kay, William Haupricht, Joey Eckstrom, Serena Kim, Sue McGinnis, and Lisa Stolzy, my gratitude for your insights is limitless. You made me a better writer.
To my talented writing teachers, Anne Sanow, Robert Eversz, A.M. Dellamonica, Terry Miller, Caroline Leavett, Lynn Hightower, Beth Ann Baumann, Peter Boychuk, and Andrew Gray. You turned a novice writer into a writer who had something to share. I’m eternally grateful.
To proofreader, TJ Shiree, thank you for locating all the commas I missed.
To Michael Neff and the New York Pitch Conference. Thank you for giving me a taste of traditional publishing and valuable lessons about marketing one’s creations.
A few more personal thanks…
I must thank my parents, Faye & Frank Saxton, who taught me to love music, nature, and words. I will forever be grateful.
Next, my Sammy. I don’t know what I managed to do in this world to be blessed with the cleverest, warmest, kindest man as you. I mean, let’s get real, I spend a lot of time neglecting my half of the house chores, my poor cats, and my husband, while I’m buried in my creations, yet you stick by me anyway. I’m so thankful to be walking this life with you.
To my best, dearest, closest friends, Craig, Trish, Marie, Amy, Jenn, Jimi & Jana, my loyal crew, my clever crowd, you are the family I choose. Thank you, each and every one of you, for being the amazing you, and for being my friend.
To Matthew, my brother. Growing up by your side, you were always a marvel. It’s been pretty darn cool being your little sister.
To Sharon, Joyce & Tim, Ethel & Jon, and all the lovely and wonderful in-laws I’ve been blessed to know, I am so grateful that as my family grew, it was filled with kind and warm souls. Thanks for being the loving siblings not born to me, but gifted.
To my dear grandma, Ruth Aden Mahoney, your strength, your courage, your capacity for patience and forgiveness, your feistiness, and your love of singing will always be an inspiration. That place we call heaven shines brighter because you’re in it.
And finally to my nieces, nephews and those who I consider nieces and nephews, Cassandra, Jeffrey, Ian, Isabel, Lizzy, Brandon, Jon Jr., Daniel, Nicole, Lani, Shannon, and Peyton. You are the awesomest young people I know, and it’s been a true pleasure watching you grow into good-natured, confident young adults. The world is yours now. Love it, live it, learn from it.