The Things We Keep(92)
To those who helped with my research, especially Clare Dyer, for giving so generously of your time and resources—this book is so much richer for it. In particular, thank you for showing me the difference a good nurse can make, and how “stepping into their reality” can mean the difference between joy and terror for a person with dementia. You must have brought a lot of joy to patients and their families over your career.
To Belinda Nixon at Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, thank you for meeting with me on several occasions, and for reading this manuscript in its early form and providing feedback.
To the Hanrahan family, particularly Therese, for sharing your Alzheimer’s experiences and always answering my questions. The way you keep your grace and humor through the seemingly endless challenges of life is truly extraordinary. I suspect you get this from your mother.
To Rosie Brennan, for sharing the true story that would become the heart and soul of this book—the story of “Rodney” and “Betty,” the residents who held hands in the TV room of their nursing home every single day, not because they remembered to, but because they wanted to. Thank you also to Rosie for being my right (and left) hand when it comes to social media. If it weren’t for you I’d still think LOL stood for “Lots of Love.”
To my critique partners, Anna George and Meredith Jaeger, and my beta reader, Jacquelyn Sylvan—thank you for being the brilliant writers and astute readers that you are. Every piece of feedback is a gift, honestly. Also to my first readers, Geraldine Carrodus, Angela Langford, Dagmar Logan, Inna Spitskaia, and Jane Wharton, thank you for your insane positivity (something every insecure author needs).
To my friends Emily Makiv and Kena Roach, who proofread for me in exchange for an early look at my books—the job is yours for life, if you want it.
To my great aunty Gwen, who wanted a mention in one of my books. Here it is. Go tell your friends.
To Mum, for making me love words, and Dad, who always taught me to never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
To Oscar and Eloise—I adored creating the character of Clementine, but no one could be weirder or more wonderful than the two of you.
Finally, to Christian for being my fiercest champion, and for being man enough to admit that this book made him cry.
About the Author
Sally Hepworth is a former event planner and human resources professional. A graduate of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, Sally started writing novels after the birth of her first child. She is the author of Love Like the French, published by Random House Germany in February 2014. Sally has lived around the world, spending extended periods in Singapore, the U.K., and Canada, and she now writes full-time from her home in Melbourne, where she lives with her husband and two young children. Visit Sally’s Web site at www.sallyhepworthauthor.com or find her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/sallyhepworthauthor) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/sallyhepworth). Or sign up for email updates here.