Karen Kingsbury - Like Dandelion Dust

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright 2006 by Karen Kingsbury

Center Street

Hachette Book Group USA

237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Visit our Web site at www.hachettebookgroupusa.com.

First eBook Edition: June 2006

ISBN: 978-0-446-50745-5

Dedicated to

Donald, my prince charming. In this season of life, with you working as full-time teacher here at home for our boys, I am maybe more proud of you than ever. I am amazed at the way you blend love and laughter, tenderness and tough standards to bring out the best in our boys. Dont for a minute think that your role in all this is somehow small. You have the greatest responsibility of all. Not only with our children, but also in praying for me as I write and speak and go about this crazy fun job God has given me. I couldnt do it without you. Thanks for loving me, for being my best friend, and for finding date moments amidst even the most maniacal or mundane times.

Kelsey, my precious daughter. You are sixteen, pushing seventeen, and sometimes I find myself barely able to exhale. The ride is so fast at this point that I try not to blink so I wont miss a minute of it. Like the most beautiful springtime flower, I see you growing and unfolding, becoming interested in current events and formulating godly viewpoints that are yours alone. The same is true in dance, where you are simply breathtaking on stage. I believe in you, honey. Keep your eyes on Jesus and the path will be easy to follow. Dont ever stop dancing. I love you.

Tyler, my beautiful song. Can it be that you are thirteen and almost taller than me? Just yesterday people would call and confuse you with Kelsey. Now they confuse you with your dadin more ways than one. You are on the bridge, dear son, making the transition between being a kid and becoming a strong, godly young man. Keep giving Jesus your very best, and always remember that youre in a battle. In todays world, Ty, you need His armor every day, every minute. Dont forget... when youre up there on stage, no matter how bright the lights, Ill be watching and cheering you on. I love you.

Sean, my wonder boy. Your sweet nature continues to be a bright light in our home. Those tender days when we first brought you home from Haiti seem like a lifetime ago. Its been my great joy to watch you grow and develop this past year, learning more about reading and writing and, of course, animals. Youre a walking encyclopedia of animal facts, and that, too, brings a smile to my face. Your hugs are something I look forward to, Sean. Keep close to Jesus. I love you.

Josh, my tender tough guy. You continue to excel at everything you do. I love that moment late at night when I poke my head into your room and see thatonce againyour nose is buried in your Bible. You really get it, Joshthat by being strong in Christ, first and foremost, youll be strong at everything else. Keep winning for Him, dear son. You make me so proud. I love you.

EJ, my chosen one. You amaze me, Emmanuel Jean! You have become a different little boy while attending your daddys home school. In every possible area you have improved. I see you standing straighter and taller, articulating more, making eye contact, and feeling confident and proud. I know that Jesus is leading the way, and that you are excited to find out the plans He has for you. This year will always stand out as a turning point to me. Congratulations, honey! I love you.

Austin, my miracle child. Can my little boy be eight years old? I love that you still wake up every now and then and scurry your way down the hall to our room so you can sleep in the middle. But most of all I love your tender heart. Just last week you looked at me and said, Mommy, youre so pretty. Talk about making my day! Then you were at a basketball game with us and you sat on Daddys knee and hooked your arms around his neck and said, Youre my best friend, Daddy. Thanks for loving me. Wow. Its so wonderful to see a reflection of my own heart in you, my littlest son. I thank God for your health, precious boy. I love you.

And to God Almighty, the Author of life, who hasfor nowblessed me with these.

This book couldnt have come together without the help of many people. First, a special thanks to my friends at Time Warner Book Group, who were patient with me during this sad season in my life. My only brother, David, 39, died in his sleep on October 1, 2005, during the writing of this book.

My friends at Time Warner Book Group sent flowers and even an entire ham dinner while my family congregated at my house and somehow survived the funeral week. We spent a lot of time together, my brother and I, and in the final weeks of his life he seemed to be doing better than ever. Closer to God, closer to all of us, and excited about the future. In all ways possible, he seemed like someone on the brink of living life to the fullest.

And he was. Just not in the way we imagined.

I am comforted by the truth that Dave now has all he ever dreamed ofperfect health, perfect love, and forever to enjoy it. But that comfort was made complete in part because of the prayers and support and grace given me by my publishing friends at Warner.

Also a big thank-you to my agent, Rick Christian, president of Alive Communications. I am amazed more as every day passes at your great integrity, your talent, and your commitment to getting my Life-Changing FictionTM out to all the world. You are a strong man of God, Rick. You care for my career as if you were personally responsible for the souls God touches through these books. Thank you for looking out for my personal timethe hours I have with my husband and kids most of all. I couldnt do this without you.

As always, this book wouldnt be possible without the help of my husband and kids, who are so good about eating tuna sandwiches and quesadillas, and bringing me plates of baked chicken and vegetables when I need the brain power to write past midnight. Thanks for understanding the sometimes crazy life I lead, and for always being my greatest support.

Also, thanks to my mother and assistant, Anne Kingsbury, for her great sensitivity and love for my readers. And to Katie Johnson, who runs a large part of my business life. The personal touch you both bring to my ministry is precious to me, priceless to me.... Thank you with all my heart.

And thanks to my friends and family who continue to surround me with love and prayer and supportespecially in this time of loss. Of course, the greatest thanks goes to God Almighty, the most wonderful Author of allthe Author of life. The gift is Yours. I pray I might have the incredible opportunity and responsibility to use it for You all the days of my life.

A special thanks to my Forever in FictionTM winners whose character names appear in this book. I created Forever in FictionTM as a live-auction item for charities. Every penny of the winning bid for Forever in FictionTM goes to the charity that holds the auction. So far, more than $100,000 has been raised for charities across the country from people winning Forever in FictionTM. If you or your group is interested in the donation of a Forever in FictionTM package, visit my Web site at www.Karen-Kingsbury.com. I donate approximately six of these packages per year.

As much as possible, I try to give my characters identifying features that correlate with the person for whom that character is named. Still, the