McCarroll - The end of hope--the beginning : narratives of hope in the face of death and trauma

As with all projects of this kind, many people have been part of it coming to fruition. First, I am grateful to the people whose lives have inspired this book and borne witness to hopes hidden horizons of possibility in the face of devastating loss. These people include patients, congregants, students, families, and caregivers, all of whom through struggle have found new ways to trust, persevere, and stay committed to life amid the pull to death. While I know the depth and breadth of lived human experience cannot find full expression in words on a page, in humility and gratitude I offer written words about their life stories, trusting that something of hopes horizons of possibility can be glimpsed through them. Thank you especially to those who read specific chapters and engaged them from their own experiences of care, loss, death, and trauma.

I am grateful to Principal Dorcas Gordon and the board of Knox College, whose thoughtful leadership and gracious support for research have enabled time and quiet space for this manuscript to be conceived and written. Many thanks go to Douglas and Rhoda Hall for their intellectual and spiritual inspiration and ongoing support. I am indebted to my early CPE supervisor, John OConnor, whose teaching on hope in clinical contexts engaged my imagination and fed my clinical practice. I am grateful to the people and leadership of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Toronto and particularly to the Rev. Dr. George Vais, whose invitation to provide a lecture series inspired the seeds and framework for this book. Much appreciation goes to Susan MacLeod and the Vais family for their gracious support for this work. I extend gracious thanks to my students, my colleagues at Knox College and the Toronto School of Theology, those within the Presbytery of East Toronto and the CPE supervisor group, and the people of St. Marks Presbyterian Church in Toronto. Among these communities, I have experienced the struggle and commitment to reach toward transcendent possibility in the face of trials and tribulations. These communities have inspired me and given me much food for the journey.

I am grateful to Kay Diviney for her thoughtful and incisive editorial work on chapter 2 and her willingness to have her holiday interrupted by my editorial needs. Kays many skills in editing, writing, and theological thought have been a great gift to me. Many thanks go to Helen Cheung, whose extensive research contributed to the inductive literature review presented in chapter 2. As well, I am appreciative of Will Bergkamp and the people of Fortress Press, whose commitment to excellence in Christian publishing has brought forth many outstanding books and continues to serve the ongoing formation of Christian thought, identity, spirituality, and engagement in the North American context. Their willingness to work with me on this project has inspired its timely completion. It is a privilege to work with them.

I extend gratitude to my friends and family: to Sue Koziey-Kronas for her authenticity, honesty, and willingness to allow me alongside her on the journey; to Ben, Caleb, Mark, and Hannah, whose lives continue to inspire and ground me; to Paul and Kath, whose ongoing support and generosity in sharing the cottage enabled time away to read, ponder, and write; to Harris, who has partnered with me through this project, reading and rereading every word and whose huge mind and heart for theology and ministry bear much fruit in these pages and in the shared story of our lives. Finally, I extend prayers of thanksgiving to the One within whose horizon we participate, whose hidden and gracious presence amid the adversities of life and whose ongoing call to trust and live without excuse bring me to my knees in humility and gratitude again and again.

Toronto, September 1, 2013