Читать книгу Finding My Voice - Nita Whitaker LaFontaine - Страница 8

Starting this journey began for me when I went raw and wounded by grief to a writing workshop led by Jackie Parker. She gently drew out my stories and told me they were “too rich to keep.” I was inspired by her words—and those of many in my close circle—to share what I was learning. Jackie gave me the confidence and guidance to begin. You cheered for me all the way. Later, I was led to another light- being angel who would help me bring this book to readers. She has a lilting laugh and a gentle nature and a tad of a Southern drawl; we connected instantly. That person is my new dear friend, editor and project manager, Jessica Swift of Swift Ink Editorial. Truly she has helped me birth this baby. Your tutelage and further guidance have been essential to shaving the rough edges and helping me to focus my story of love, and to walking me through the process. You’ve been so amazing, quick, smart, funny. And thank you for connecting me with your brilliant book designer Sara Dismukes who added her lovely design touch that made the book feel whole and real. This book would not be a book without each of you. Thank you.

There are so many people who have stood by us in this storm of life. My dad, Green Whitaker Sr., continues to show me faith in action. He so lives in the assuredness of his faith that he inspires me daily. My immediate family, Kathy Scott, Alene Bryce, Green Jr., Aunt Lillian Whitaker, and Dr. Lee Whitaker were there every step of the way through the darkest early moments. You gave so much of your heart, your time, and yourselves to make sure the girls and I were on the road with big backpacks of love from you all.

Paul Pape: my Donnie was your best friend and your relationship stood thirty years. The two of you played off each other’s sarcasm and silliness, coupled with years of poker games and Scrabble contests.You made my boy laugh and he, you, and you were standing beside me in the ending moments.

My closest brothers and friends of my heart, Charles Randolph Wright and Adam (Aeyjay) Jackson Jr. (and family) have been loving supports for me and the girls with Adam checking on us every single day and Charles showing up and staying with us when he visited.You were Don’s great friends and brothers.You have been there for the girls when they needed a father-figure to impart some wisdom or just to watch over them. What a great support for the three of us since Donnie’s been gone. Deb Gates and Johnnie Stewart: you covered me with your prayers when my voice was gone.

I want to acknowledge and thank the kind folks that took the time to read what the book was about and give their sincere comments. It means so much to have your votes of confidence and insights for the book going forward; that this book resonated with you helps me know it will find its place in the hearts of others. Michael Bublé, one of America’s favorite voices, thank you for writing the foreword and blessing the book. To Josh Groban, you are as stellar a young man as your voice is mellifluous; thank you. Pastor Larry, Nancy, Mark, Wink, Margaret, David, and Ben, I thank each and every one of you for the gift of your words to the book and the honor you give to the love Don and I shared. May your lives continue to be richly blessed.

Don’s doctors who became his friends over the years: Dr. Asher Kimchi and Dr. Leslie Stricke, both from Cedars-Sinai hospital, you gentlemen are stellar physicians and cared for Don beyond the call of duty. Asher, you visited Don as a friend, not as a doctor … just to sit and talk, which meant so much to us. And to Dr. Heather Jones who fought valiantly with us in those last nine days to keep Don here with us, you are brilliant, kind, and loving.

Jeff Hill and Maria Herrera who have been with my family for thirteen-plus years, helping to make lunches, helping drive kids to appointments, helping me keep the house clean and in order, and running countless errands—you are an extension of our family. It helped so much that we had two loving and trustworthy people in the day-to-day trenches with us.

Pastor Larry Keene: your gentle guidance from the moment we met to the day we laid Don to rest has been a great source of strength for me.You married us, baptized our children and Don, then followed with the ultimate gift of speaking his eulogy in a way that was incredibly uplifting though we felt so heavy.Your wisdom, kindness, and Divine understanding have helped my family and me throughout the years. Thank you, too, Virginia.

My beautiful daughters Skye and Liisi: you are my proudest works, my biggest blessings, and the best decision Don and I ever made.You both illuminate my life. And Christine, bonus daughter, I learned a lot from your growth. To Don’s agents, Steve Tisherman and Vanessa Gilbert; for the friends that came with food, banners, time, and love, there are not words large enough to express how humble I feel and how blessed we’ve been to be in such a village of prayer warriors that held us up, championed us forward, and cherish Don as much as we do. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!