Yellow Crocus (33 page)

W
riting this novel was a sheer act of strength for me. I needed much encouragement just to keep going. I am deeply indebted to all those who read the many drafts along the way, giving me the feedback that gave me the courage to keep going. Thank you to readers Sheri Prud’homme, Mo Morris, Rinda Bartley, Kathy Post, Catherine Fisher, Kyle Fisher, Julie Scholz, Carolyn Hand, Bonnie Richman, Susan Pence, Cathy Cade, Heather MacCleod, Michelle Berlin, Darlanne Hoctor, Anne-Lise Breuning, Niall O’Regan, Kate Hand, Pat St. Onge, Jody Savage, Melanie Curry, Mary Bartley, RuAjna Kai, Hannah Eller-Isaacs, Fran Bartley, Charlotte Dickson, Carmen Bartley, Laura Prickett, Alisa Peres, Janne Eller-Isaacs, Rob Eller-Isaacs, Skot Davis, Cambron Williamson, Ann Hecht, Jill Miller, Jean Weiss, Mona Ibrahim, Jamie Ibrahim, Sarah Moldenhauer-Salazaar, Mike Jung, Cathy Rion, and Kalin Ibrahim-Bartley. I am grateful to these editors who greatly improved the story: Janis Newman, Jane Cavolina and Renee Johnson. And thank you to Gogi Hodder for being the biggest cheer leader of all by readily making copies, reading nearly all of the numerous drafts, and being absolutely certain that this story needs to be in the world.

Roots and Shoots Photography

L
aila Ibrahim’s expertise in multicultural developmental psychology provided ample material for the story of Mattie and Lisbeth. Laila was the founder and director of Woolsey Children’s School where she had first hand experiences loving children that were not her own. As a birth doula she is privileged to witness the intensity and joy of childbirth. She works as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at the First Unitarian Church in Oakland. She lives in a co-housing community in Berkeley, California, with her wife, Rinda, their children, Kalin and Maya, and their dogs, Bella and Lucie.
Yellow Crocus
is her first novel.