Tuesday Thomson (editor) - Loving Courageously: First Me, Then You, Now Us

Acknowledgements

After spending some fourteen years in a silent tug of war about writing this book, the part of me that wanted to write it finally tugged the hardest and won. Hopefully the long period of indecision culminated in a more knowledgeable version than it would have originally been. It took a village (or, as I like to call it, a Think Tank) to write this book. I never could have done it without the help of so many. My gratitude knows no bounds!

Tuesday Thomson, editor and so much more, you have been my rock throughout this process. Not only have you learned to speak in my voice, an amazing feat, you have been my best supporter, cheerleader and hand-holder and steered me back on course when I ran adrift. Donna Mathern, my dear friend--thank you for putting Tuesday and me together! Ellen Leyrer, you have been both an invaluable friend and another pair of editorial eyes when I was too close to the work to see it from a distance. With your excellent editorial skill set, youve taken my references, the final proofing, and the word friendship to a much elevated level. Bridget Boland, you were responsible for creating a coherent conceptualization out of my scattered thoughts about how to organize them, as well as adding your significant editorial prowess to the original manuscript and continued support throughout the process. Brent Meske, you are a never-ending source of patience, encouragement, laughter and comfort, who steered me through the publishing process with skill and your sincere commitment to my satisfaction with the final bookand okay, yes, my new best friend! Richard Posey, my debts of gratitude to you encompass all things Internet, my website, book and website photography and videography, in addition to ad hoc editing, steering me through the perilous world of social media and hand-holding. Youll all definitely be needing a rest! Sherry Taylor, your artistic talent, creativity and tenacity in designing the perfect cover for my book is so deeply appreciated, as is your patience in letting me get there. Jonathan Knopf, my dear cousin, using your impressive journalistic abilities, you were able to take my thoughts and words and weave them into the best possible introduction, as well as catching some of my misses with a keen eye. Niels Skolborg, your willingness to spend time and effort reading and coming up with many suggestions, including my first favorite subtitle was of immense value and very much appreciated. Bobbi Kornblit, author and daughter of my adopted mother, Polly Denur, thank you for your tireless efforts and guidance in the joys and perils of publishing a book. Clarke Newman, my gratitude for your incredible generosity of time and effort, as well as your input on something important I had neglected is tremendous.

To my cousins, Geri Onorato and Susan Knopf, thank you both for marrying into my family and for being such good friends, as well as family, and staunch supporters of my efforts. My brother, Robert Gold, thank you for sharing your war stories from your own books and for your support, encouragement and suggestions. Lloyd Gastwirth, first and foremost, thank you for our two wonderful sons! Your generosity with the books final proofing with fresh eyes is deeply appreciated.

I owe a debt of gratitude to both my sons, Brad Gastwirth, for your support, encouragement and great suggestions for finding a title for the book, and Geoff Gastwirth, for your excellent input and ideas, and especially for your and Amelias understanding when my book often precluded me from spending as much time with your precious daughter and my adored granddaughter, Lily, as all of us would have liked!

This book would simply not have been possible without the vast contributions of my clients over the past thirty-five plus years. Youve granted me entry into your places of vulnerability, put your faith and trust in me to hold those sacred, and have taught me at least as much, if not more than I have you. I am humbled by your courage to grow and change, your belief in me and your ability to steer the course on your own for all but forty-five minutes a week, while allowing me the privilege of helping you find which roads you deemed best to travel in that journey. My family, friends and colleagues who read and offered feedback, input and encouragement have been of invaluable support, and I cherish and hold you dear, even as I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart.