There is nothing more precious to me than the time I get to spend with you. I love our life together.
To a courageous young lass in the United Kingdom named Ella.
Your life is just beginning, with a disadvantage, to be sure. I hope one day, you can read the story of the fictional Ella in this novel and realize no matter how difficult life may seem at times, you can overcome it because you are blessed with the power to persevere. Our love is with you as you tackle life and we have no doubt you’ll accomplish great things!
To Dusty Holder, In Memoriam.
You took a young, pudgy boy under your wing and turned him into a golfer who came within one bad shot of qualifying for the U.S. Open at age sixteen. More importantly, you taught me that life is full of mishits, and only a true failure wallers in his anger or sorrow. I heard many times – get your head on straight and keep playing. I’ve lived my life accordingly. I’ve been up and down more times than I can count. But I always keep playing. Thank you, old friend.
To Wild Bill Cherry, In Memoriam.
Professor Bill Cherry taught Geography and Geology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville when I was an undergraduate there. Known for his unusual approach in lecturing, he earned the nickname Wild Bill. Readers of the Blackout series might recall a character by that name. Anyway, Wild Bill Cherry taught me to love science, and rocks. He also taught me that the landscape around us didn’t happen through the assistance of unicorns and rainbows. Most of our planet’s appearance came about as a result of violent conflicts underground, which changed the surface above. Wild Bill, I’ll never forget sharing a Budweiser with you at The Last Lap on The Strip. This one’s for you, Professor.
