ABSTRACT
Several years of more and less tangible work go into writing a book, and many people played signifi cant roles in this book’s creation; I off er my sincere gratitude to them here. To my father James Michael Faris and to my mother Charlene Brown Faris, who taught me by example the importance of discipline and hard work, and who nurtured my dreams unconditionally. For your years of belief and encouragement and for sharing the gift of your lives with me, I acknowledge family, Jim Faris, Mary Stine, and Ahndrea Pett; the few I call friends, in particular Rachel Paul, Michél LeRoy, Greg Marion, and Shawn Curtis (for your wonderful illustrations); and professors Sean Wilkinson and Roger Crum from the University of Dayton, and Marianetta Porter, Joseph Grigely, and Peggy Kusnerz from the University of Michigan. To Randy Wolf, my dear friend (from our fi rst conversation about cats and dogs), for reminding me to live in the moment. Heartfelt thanks to three wonderful spirits-Nancy Jowske, Kim Coughnour, and Anne Camm-for your wisdom, faith, and guidance while I located my true north.
