My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite, #1)(113)

Thanks to Tami Taylor, who runs my website and does a fantastic job. Thanks to the cold readers who labor through my early drafts and help make my manuscripts better. Thanks to Pam Binder and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association for their tremendous support of my work.

Thank you also to the loyal readers who e-mail me to tell me how much they enjoy my books and await the next. You are the reason I keep looking for the next great story.

I’ve dedicated this book to my brother-in-law, Robert A. Kapela. Robert was a good man with a big heart and bigger smile. Over the last few years, he lost his joie de vivre while suffering from the lingering effects of a severe medical issue and in the midst of a contentious divorce. Robert’s life ended March 20, 2014. My family was blessed to have Robert come and live with us the final week of his life. My kids loved their “Uncle Bert,” and my wife loved her brother. He was the “fun” uncle who made summers especially memorable on his boat.

I realize the tremendous hole that is left when a loved one dies. I felt it when my father died six years ago and think of him every day. The hole will never fill completely. Robert’s death has touched us all deeply. The morning after he died, I sat on the porch to watch the sunrise. My wife joined me. It was a brilliant magenta sky, and as we sat watching I suddenly remembered that the day before I got married, the priest had asked me what I wanted, and I had said, “I want to watch the sunrise with Cristina for the rest of my life.” I am certain the sunrise that morning was Robert’s gift to us, reminding us to see God’s beauty in every day, to feel his love, and to always stay in the light. My prayers and thoughts remain with Robert and his three sons.

To Cristina, the love of my life and my soul mate, who has stood beside me with each step of this life journey. You get more beautiful with every day. Remember the sunrises we’ve promised each other, and always see the beauty, love, and light in every day. To my son, Joe, now a man, I wish for you everything in life that you need to make you happy—love. To my daughter, Catherine, you light up every room you enter. Never lose that glow or joie de vivre.