Following Jesus
Page 10
Gabrielle Earnshaw, Editor
April 29, 2019
Toronto, Canada
Acknowledgments
Transcribing and editing these talks by Henri Nouwen was a privilege. The long hours spent listening was like a meditation. I am grateful to Karen Pascal and other members of the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust for entrusting me with this important and life-giving work.
Yet, for all the time I was working alone, it was not a solitary project. Many people helped to bring this book to life.
I first want to mention Jutta Ayer, a friend and former student of Henri’s who attended the original talks in 1985. Jutta, with her singular kindness, provided me with personal and practical assistance, for which I am very grateful.
Another central person in this project was Peter Weiskel, Henri’s former administrative assistant, editor, and friend, who was working with Henri at the time of the talks. Peter read my draft manuscript and made salient changes and suggestions. He affirmed that I had captured Henri’s voice while ensuring the book read well. His time and effort are greatly appreciated; his stamp of approval is priceless.
The team at Convergent was wonderful to work with. My editor, Gary Jansen, trusted my judgment and gave me the space I needed, yet stepped in at the right moments with flashes of brilliance that greatly improved the book. Other members of the Penguin Random House team, including Ashley Hong, Cathy Hennessy, Mark Birkey, Songhee Kim, Jessica Sayward Bright, and Sarah Horgan, helped to create the beautiful book you are now holding.
Sally Keefe Cohen and Judith Leckie, along with Karen Pascal, fellow members of the Publishing Committee for the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust, were enthusiastic cheerleaders as well as discerning readers. Sally took care of permissions with her lighthearted but laser-sharp efficiency, and Judith did a careful reading of the first draft and thereafter, and offered sustained support and encouragement. Karen provided excellent guiding suggestions, unbridled trust, and important practical support. Thank you all.
Ray Glennon, a Nouwen Board member and friend, read through the first draft and gave me useful feedback.
Liesl Joson and Simon Rogers, at the Henri J. M. Nouwen Archives and Research Collection, were proficient and helpful with the research questions I threw their way. Thank you both.
Gary Vaughn, of Up Is Loud Productions, provided vital help improving the sound of the audiotape recordings. This book literally would not have happened without his expertise and skill.
Carolyn Whitney-Brown, Henri’s friend and now mine, provided support and encouragement with her characteristic wit and sagacity.
Catherine Smith, Catherine Manning, Roy Schaeffer, Lindsey Yeskoo, Bridget Ring, and Brad Ratzlaff have been my boosters and my friends. Betsy Anderson, Ann Rowland, Lyn Gaetz, Lynne Brennan, John Olthius, and Paula Nieuwstraten from my church community receive my gratitude for their unwavering support of this project. Individually and collectively, these friends have made all the difference.
Special thanks to Laurent Nouwen, Henri’s brother, for promoting this book in Holland and Germany and for all he does to further Henri’s legacy in his home country. Laurent has shared his love and affection for his brother generously. Much of what I know of Henri’s essence is because of him.
As ever, Sue Mosteller, Henri’s close personal friend and literary executrix, was unfailing in her enthusiastic support of this project. Her belief in me is the wind in my sails.
I wish to express my gratitude to Richard Rohr for his generous introduction that identifies Henri Nouwen as one of those spiritual teachers who will stand the test of time. This endorsement from a wisdom teacher for our generation is a gift to Henri’s legacy. Special mention goes to Jenna Bourland, Richard’s assistant, for helping with logistics.
My family deserves final thanks, including my sisters, Heidi Earnshaw and Christine Earnshaw-Osler, and my mother, Marlene Gordon. Don Willms, my husband, who has been listening to me talk about Henri Nouwen for nearly twenty years now, deserves the final bow of gratitude. He listens, reads, edits, critiques, and asks provoking questions. He traveled alongside me through the seasons of the editing process and never tired. Much love and appreciation to you, Don.