Читать книгу When Somebody Loves You Back - Mary B. Morrison - Страница 7

I thank God for blessing me and I thank God for each of you, praying your lives are filled with joy and prosperity.

To all of the Hurricane Katrina victims, many of whom are my family and friends, stay strong; hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Although I cannot relate firsthand, I do know home (New Orleans) will never be the same for me, especially for you. Wherever you are, keep love and faith in your heart, and get every dime you deserve from the government. In my opinion, no amount is too much, because the government hasn’t done nearly enough to compensate you. Never give up hope. There is a brighter day ahead.

To my fans, writing the series was an enjoyable but not easy journey. After five novels, you’ve anxiously awaited number six, When Somebody Loves You Back, eager to find out what happens to Darius. All I can say is, “You are awesome!” I know many of you are still recommending Soul Mates Dissipate, and I cannot thank you enough for supporting my works.

To my deceased parents, I’ve never written a book without expressing gratitude, and I never will. In loving memory of my biological parents, Joseph Henry Morrison and Elester Noel. To my great-aunt and uncle who reared me, Willie Frinkle and Ella Beatrice Turner, I am eternally grateful.

To my loving son, Jesse Byrd, Jr., anything worth having is worth working for. Continue doing your best at all times. Take the bitter with the sweet. Visualize your success. As Chris Farr tells you, “Prepare for war in time of peace.” I know you can make it into the NBA if you bring your A game every single time. Adversity and success are teachers of life but only when you learn the lessons. Always respect yourself, respect others, and surround yourself with positive people who are good individuals. Stay humble. I’m proud of you, sweetie. You are truly a wonderful young man with great character and you are Mommy’s most cherished gift from God.

A special shout-out to Jason “JG” Grisby, a wonderful young man beginning college. Jason, your strength comes from within. You’ve overcome more mental and physical challenges than the average teenager and I’ve never heard you complain. Jason, you have a quiet sense of confidence that some, but not all, of us understand. Progressing to the next level, you need to step it up and verbalize your confidence. I’m not suggesting you become arrogant. It’s not what you say but how you say it. The key is to speak up, speak out, respectfully so, especially when communicating with coaches.

With mad love for my recently adopted godson, Robert “Chew” Owens, you have made Mama proud. You earned your number-one ranking in the Oakland Athletic League. A wise man, Mr. Al Cason, once told me, “You must always help someone. But when you choose that person, you’ve chosen wrong.” Mr. Cason made it clear that I could never help someone who didn’t want help. Chew, when I looked into your eyes, I felt your sincerity for wanting help. In many ways, I’m the one blessed because you’ve helped me to grow too. As you begin your first year of college, I want you to know, the thing I admire most about you, Chew, is your determination to succeed. No matter how challenging college becomes, hold on to your winning spirit. A man only fails when he fails to try. I will continue to be one of your catalysts. More importantly, I want you, on your road to success, to remember that you must help someone less fortunate. But when you choose that person, you’ve chosen wrong.

I’ve got nothin’ but love for the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area college basketballers with game: Jesse Byrd, Jr., Antonio Kellog, James Morgan, Manny Quezada, Armondo Surratt, and Alan Wiggins, Jr., at the University of San Francisco; Timothy Kees at Menlo College; Diamon Simpson at St. Mary’s College; Larry Gurganious at Gonzaga University; DeMarcus Nelson at Duke University; Quinton Thomas at North Carolina Universisty, Jason Grisby, and Robert Owens, college bound seniors. Stay focused and I look forward to witnessing all of you play professionally.

To my siblings, you’re the greatest! I love Wayne, Derrick, Andrea, and Regina Morrison, Margie Rickerson, Debra Noel, and Brian Turner.

To my Sweeter than Honey sisterhood group, author Rachelle Chase, Onie Simpson, and Malissa Walton, I appreciate your love, respect, and wisdom, as we continue to support and empower one another in achieving our personal and professional goals. Let’s attain our group goal of becoming serial daters traveling around the world.

Yolanda Parks of TV One, Michael Baisden, Cherisse Gage, Lissa Woodson, Jeremy “JL” Woodson, Barbara Cooper, Carmen Polk, Shannette Slaughter, Larry Addison, Gloria Mallette, E. Lynn Harris, Lou Richie, Jessie Evans, Chris Farr, Brian Shaw, Phil Doherty, Bill Johnson, Pete Morales, Carl Weber, Victoria Christopher Murray, Ruth and Howard Kees, Vanessa Ibanitoru (my friend since third grade), Brenda and Aaron Clark, and my McDonogh No. 35 Roneagles family, thanks for your continued support.

To my entire Kensington family, Joan, Jessica, Mary, Maureen, Nicole, Steven Zacharius, and Barbara Bennett, I am grateful for all you do.

I love my editor, Karen Thomas. Karen, you have a magnificent head on your shoulders. You’re a powerful and brilliant woman operating the most successful African-American imprint, Dafina Books.

To Claudia Menza, my agent, although we’ve separated, I still love and respect you. When all of the contractual obligations are fulfilled, we will have presented eleven books.

Last, but damn sure nuff not least, Felicia Polk, you are forever my best friend and the world’s greatest publicist. May God bless you beyond measure. Thanks for believing in me.

The acknowledgments for my next book are dedicated to book clubs and bookstore owners and managers. I appreciate your love and support.

I have so many more people to acknowledge, but I also have other books to write, so if I didn’t mention you this time, forgive me now, remind me later.