I also have my own friends and family to thank. First I should thank my mother and father, Trude and Richard Skolnick for raising and believing in me and for offering their lovely home in La Quinta as a valuable retreat as deadline day loomed. Thanks to Heather Barbod for making time for me whenever I came through the city and for sending me on the road with a sweet, shining totem in my pocket. Massive thanks to Paul Feinstein. Trapped beneath a bloated, unwieldy first draft, with a week to go before d-day, Paul parachuted in and together we found, shaped, and polished what I hope is a beautiful book. He helped shape several drafts after that one too. In addition to his editorial wizardry, he was a confidant and counselor from the beginning of this project to the end. I could not hope to have a better friend. Speaking of amazing friends, thank you Liz Gilbert and Kelton Reid. Liz has been a mentor to me since we met all those years ago and Kelton has been a partner and brother in our quest to make a living as writers from day one. Both read early drafts of the book and their guidance and support has been legendary.
Then there’s John Moore, my defacto patron, ace deuce rival, and enabler of my drifter tendencies. Ever since the week after Nick passed away, I have been a nomad, roaming the globe in search of freedivers and those with insights into his past. Often I’d come through Los Angeles and John’s door and his guestroom were always open and available to me. I wrote a book proposal and most of this book in his beautiful home. But even before that, John gave me the greatest gift of all. He encouraged me to take up open-water swimming, which he’s been doing religiously with our friend Jacklynn Evans for more than a decade. Swimming in the deep blue Pacific with John and Jack, I have encountered and enjoyed swarms of sea lions and pods of dolphins, many whales and seals and thousands of fish. There is nothing I love to do more, and it’s because I need it and have become so passionate about it that I understand better than most why freedivers must do what they do. I doubt I can ever repay him. Thank you doesn’t begin to cover it.
Finally, I’d like to thank Nicholas Mevoli. I knew him for less than a week of his life, but that was enough to get that he was one special dude. I just didn’t understand how special until I got to know him through those he left behind and through his own words. He wasn’t perfect, but he possessed an uncommon generosity of spirit and time. His heart was big, his soul was real, and his actions backed it all up. I wish he could have found more peace on this sweet earth, but I know he found more than his share of joy, love, and adventure, and moments of solace and serenity too. Nick Mevoli lived! For others and himself. His is an example I intend to follow. I hope others will too.
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One Breath Page 32
