Even knowing it’s going to be hard, I have a good feeling about what we’re trying to do. Maybe because I know I’m not alone. I have my friends with me and that makes all the difference.
J.D. adjusts his packs, squints up at the setting sun then looks at each of us in turn. “Are we ready?”
“Let’s go give the people water,” I say.
Tamara shakes her head, eyes gleaming. “Even better, let’s go give them hope.”
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the following individuals for helping to make this book possible:
Miriam Hees at Blooming Tree Press for reading a rocky first manuscript and identifying what would make it better.
Madeline Smoot, CBAY Books publisher, editor extraordinaire and so much more: artist, advocate, and guide.
Dallie and Patricia: talented writers and first readers.
Author and Professor C.W. Smith and the Taoseños: who carefully and thoughtfully critiqued the work-in-progress.
And finally, but immensely, my appreciation to Ben & Zachary for their love and encouragement: always responding to every doubt with
“You can do it, Mom.”
Dry Souls Page 15