Recovering Charles (22 page)

Listen to the song at www.RecoveringCharles.com

Acknowledgments

My eternal thanks go to the usual suspects: My four children, my three siblings, my two parents, and my one and only best friend and wife, Kodi.

Thanks also to my early-draft reviewers—Allyson, Ann, Becky, Christa, Cindy, Jane, Jeanette, Kalley, Larry, Laura, Laurel, Laurie, Matt, Nancy, Randa—and specifically to Chrissy Funk for her fine work as a research assistant and to Bill Roach for being my New Orleans friend and guru. Special thanks also to Cherie Call for lending her incredible songwriting talents. You’re a gem.

You wouldn’t be holding this book if not for the creative and brave souls at Shadow Mountain: Chris Schoebinger, Lisa Mangum, Richard Erickson, Sheryl Dickert Smith, Gail Halladay, Angie Godfrey, Tiffany Williams, Patrick Muir, Jamie Barrett, Erin Crouse, Tonya Facemyer, Natalie Bellamy, Laurel Christensen, Chrislyn Barnes, Sharon Larsen, Laurie Sumsion, Boyd Ware, John Rose, Lonnie Lockhart, Lee Broadhead, Keith Hunter, Jeff Simpson, Pat Williams, and last, but certainly not least, Sheri Dew.

Once again I’m grateful to York and Laura Faulkner for their tremendous generosity. We’d have peace on earth if everyone spent just one night at
Harmony Woods.
I also thank the wonderful folks at the Holiday Inn Express, Woodstock, Virginia. (I owe you a towel.)

I’m extremely grateful for the support and patience of my fellow Church members in Woodstock, Virginia, especially my long-suffering students: Bryan, Caleb, Glen, Matt, Michael, Olivia, and Spencer. Thanks also to the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the Mandate Association. (See you on the 4th Wednesday.)

Thanks to my literary agent, Laurie Liss, for having faith.

Most importantly, thanks to the people of New Orleans for taking Mother Nature’s best hit and standing tall. You paid a tremendous price to remind us all that America is still the loving, generous country the Founders dreamt of.

May God watch over your long-term recovery.