My Mother's Chamomile

by Finkbeiner, Susie;

  Thank you again to the WhiteFire Publishing team. David and Roseanna White for your love of books that move the soul. To Dina Sleiman for editing in such a way that I come out on the other side a different and better writer. To Wendy Chorot for your eagle eye.

  To the many writers that I am blessed to call my friends. The Kava Writers Collective for cheering me on and supporting me over big bottles of Coke and gooey fruit cups. To my friends at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference and The Guild for teaching me that writing is a high and holy calling. The ladies of Novel Matters for being my loving aunties. Ann Byle, for championing me and talking me up. Ann, I’m so blessed to have you as my agent and friend.

  During the writing process, I encountered difficulties that caused me to nearly give up this novel. The death of a friend, discouragement, major life changes. I called on a few friends to pray for me. Their prayers and words of mercy carried me through. Thanks to Betsy Carter, Kathi Hanson, Megan Sayer, Amelia Rhodes, Michelle Reinhold, Patti Hill, Nancy Finkbeiner, Jennifer Hullah, Jessie Heninger, Jessica Wilson, Jen (Bear) Gusey, and my mom. Much love and many hugs to each of you.

  Thanks to the best neighbor in all the world, Heather Bunker. For the steaming cups of Starbucks and meals you made for my family. To Ellen Reinhold and Betsy Carter for hours spent entertaining my kids as I got away to write.

  To Jeff Manion and Ada Bible Church for feeding my soul and spurring me on. I pray that the mercy spills over to those who read what I write.

  The great people of Baker Book House have done more than I could have imagined to encourage me. I can’t put into words how much I appreciate your support.

  Thank you to all my cheerleaders. Too many to name here. But, trust me, each of your names is kept in my heart. Your love has kept me going.

  Jeff, my own Clive, I love you. More than sunshine.

  All glory and honor and praise to the Great Author. Without Him, none of these words would have been written. It’s all to magnify Him.