Acknowledgements

There are a number of people in my life- some past, some present- that have been part of a beautiful support system through the years. Without them, this project may have taken much longer to come to fruition...or may never have happened at all. Relationships change, come and go, but these people are worthy of my sincerest gratitude. If I have omitted some names here, please know that there are countless people who have affected me along the way. I may remember to add you later! I mean no harm...only love for you all.

Liz W~ You opened my eyes. Period. Not only have you taught me things that have helped me become a better writer, you showed me what life could be. You believed in me, were honest with me, and gave me more in simply being there than I ever could have asked for.
Liz M~ Your on-the-fly expertise and willingness to put this blog together is the reason it's here now! For opening my life to festivals, showing me strength in womanhood, and being the coolest web designer I know, thank you so much.
Mom~ My support from birth. Even when I made decisions that made you question whether or not I was still sane, you never left my side. You have always been my shoulder, my recipient for incessant chatter, my biggest fan, my friend. My mama.
Mark~ You have put up with so much these last few years- seen often times the worst in me. You are my best friend...my love. You're still here, and that says so much. In spirituality and music alone, you are my other, and I'm so grateful for all you are.
Evan~ Seven years ago this July, I had no idea what to do with my little King Kong. You have taught me more than anyone on this earth ever has or could. My bright light, my little man, my monkey. Words will never be enough...I love, love, love you.
Ayla~ Never in a million years would I have envisioned another child in my life, let alone a girl :-) My Little Jo, you are my favorite girl in all the world. You may not have come from me, but you are ever a part of my heart and soul. My love always.
Rachel~ What on earth would I do without you?? An almost impossible relationship turned out to be a better friendship than I ever could have imagined. You have been my most on-the-inside support through the preparation for this project, and I am eternally grateful that you're taking this journey with me. For countless cups of coffee, late night conversations, and a lot of grocery shopping, thank you, thank you. Love you.
Michelle~New, but not temporary BFF! I have laughed more in the last few months than I had in ages. My partner in crime, my other half of the riot, the other me. You are an indefinable support...another unlikely friendship I would never want to do without. My son is so lucky to have you, as am I. Love you.
Tim~ I miss you more than words can say...but you know. You taught me about living, loving, and family. My Life Partner, My Soul Friend, my Tim. There is a reason you are so loved by so many- you will never be forgotten.
Jessey~ My pseudo-brother, my friend for life. It was because of you that I learned to jump in, learned to live (very literally) out loud. I knew I had something I loved, but not something worth sharing, until you. You were my life, my teacher, my best friend, my other half. For Ophelia; for toes in the sand in April in Newark. I love you, Dobby.
Wes and Steph~ For family, for love, for resolution. You gave us all a chance to see truth in love- an image painted forever in my heart and mind. Little brother, I could not be more proud of you; for everything we had, and will have to come, thank you. I love you.
Nina~ I have always said that everything cool about me came from you. It was with you that I wrote my first song, learned to tell stories, and learned of love and loss. I wanted to be your "pretty little girl with the pretty little curls" forever. Somehow, some way, I still am, I hope. I hold you with me always.
Aunt Bridge~ As a child, you showed me about passion- for travel, culture, literature, writing. The most intelligent woman I had ever met. It was you who made me want to be something more, something interesting. It was you who made me want to write. To you, I owe so much. I love you.
Aunt Sharon~ You showed me what it meant to lose something that wasn't really gone. It was you who made want to do something for the greater good, because we could never do it for you. For fifteen years, I've wanted to find you, fix you. I swore at fourteen that I would do something to help others with mental illness and went on a quest to know anything and everything. In this, I began to advocate for ECT, which I do to this day. I discovered what it was to research with purpose, and what I've learned over the years is invaluable. I love you always. Be well.
Jen~Through it all, there is no denying the impact you've had on my writing, and on me. From one writer to another, thank you for all the inspiration, for all your help, for all the time and energy you've put into us over the years. For Tim. Much love, Bug.
Margie~ Somehow, I feel like this journey began with you so many years ago. Our friendship over all this time could never be put into one paragraph, but I thank you from my soul. You changed me by being exactly who you are. I love you always.
Adam~ Not only were you an unforgettable friend, but you showed me what it meant to really do something with my life. You went. You did it. Your courage and passion have been an inspiration in multiple ways since I met you. I will be grateful always to have known and loved you.
My Other Family~ Things change, time goes by, life goes on. For three years, I had the pleasure of being a part of something unlike anything I had known or have known since. Your support, generosity, and flare for life were like lightning bolts to me, shooting me in the ass every time I need them. For the beautiful way you live, for the way you are...all of you...thank you always. I love you.
Eckhart Tolle~ An author, a man, a spirit who changed me forever. A New Earth (far more than just a book) has given me more peace and guidance than anything else in my life ever has. For the single flower, for words, for presence....thank you.
Anne Lamott~ What can I say?! If I ever have the pleasure of meeting you, I imagine I will just shake my head and say, "You...." My goodness. Grace (Eventually) was the last story my dear friend, Tim, ever heard- read to him by another dear friend who died not a year later. I discovered you then, and years later, Bird By Bird changed my whole world. That book alone opened every yet unopened door. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Daniel Quinn~For Ishmael. Enough said.