Endure - Sara B. Larson Page 0,111
make you cry.” I gently stroke her hair back from her cheeks, my fingers brushing past her whole skin on one side of her face and the striated, scarred skin on the other. I know she is still embarrassed by her scars sometimes, but I barely even notice them. She is just Alexa, the woman I love — my wife, my queen. And she is beautiful, inside and out.
“They’re happy tears — mostly.” She smiles and presses a kiss to my palm. She turns back to the window, but reaches to take my hand in hers. “Do you know why I love seeing the sky so much?” she asks, confusing me by the sudden turn in conversation.
“No.”
But then she tells me a story, the story of a girl who woke up scarred, inside and out, in this very room, years ago. And the words that a wise woman told her that helped her find her way back from the grief and guilt that threatened to consume her.
And as she speaks, we gaze out at the expanse of blue sky that stretches above the jungle we call home and the palace where we will raise our son or daughter, to be just as wonderful as their mother. A woman who can look out at the sunshine and see a new beginning.
The new beginning we created together.
As I sit here, trying to compose my thoughts to write these acknowledgments, I find myself overwhelmed by emotion. It is going to be a bittersweet thing, leaving these characters and this world behind. What a journey it’s been. An entire trilogy … I actually did it.
First and foremost, I must thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings in my life — for the beautiful family I’ve been given, and for the gift of writing He bestowed upon me. I can’t imagine my life without this gift, without the words and stories that have always come to me. I’m forever grateful for that blessing.
To everyone who has helped make this dream, the dream of sharing my words with the world, a reality, I offer my deepest, heartfelt gratitude.
To my editor, Lisa, who remains one of the most lovely people I have the privilege of knowing. Thank you for believing in me and my words, and for giving them shape and bringing them to life. Thank you also to the incredible Sheila Marie — publicist extraordinaire. You amaze me. And the entire team at Scholastic — thank you for everything. The support, the excitement, the gorgeous covers, the kindness you’ve shown me — you truly are a family, and I thank you for letting me be a part of it. Donuts for everyone! (And maybe one of these times, I’ll get to be the one to deliver them!)
To Josh — I can’t thank you enough. None of this would be possible without you. I’m so grateful to have you in my corner. And of course, Tracey and the entire Adams Lit team. I am so lucky to be able to work with you all! Here’s to many more adventures to come!
To Kathryn Purdie — Defy would never have left my computer if it weren’t for you, and now look at it. All grown up, a complete trilogy. So grateful for you. And to all of my critique partners and author friends — thank you for always being there for me, for thoughtful feedback, and for understanding. It takes one to know one — and it takes one to truly get it. I’m so glad to have so many wonderful people who “get” me in my life.
To the bloggers, librarians, teachers, book clubs, friends, and family who have spread the word about these books, who have written me or called or texted or created fan art or posted a review — you are all amazing and I can’t thank you enough. You are the icing that makes this journey so very sweet and wonderful.
Thank you to Ideas for Hollywood for the stunning trailer. I adore it.
To the musicians who inspire me and help me channel the emotions I need to write, thank you. As always, Hans Zimmer, and also James Newton Howard, Joseph Trapanese, and Alexandre Desplat. Your gifts help me use mine. And to Ellie Goulding, Imagine Dragons, OneRepublic, Bastille, Florence + the Machine, and Junkie XL. I love your music. Thank you.
To Robert and Marilyn — I’m so grateful to have such supportive and wonderful in-laws. Thank you for all of your help and excitement. It truly means a lot!
To Elisse — your support and enthusiasm and never-ending willingness to read and reread and talk about my books and plotting and revisions has made all the difference. Thank you so very much for everything. To Kerstin, thank you for always being there for me, for your generosity, and your excitement for my books. It means more than you know! To Lauren, I’m so grateful to have you for a sister and for all of your support over the years. I’m so glad you love my books so much! And thank you to Kaitlyn, too, for your support!
To Henri and SuZan — I couldn’t have asked for better parents. Thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me to pursue my dreams. What a blessing to have you both in my life.
And to my beautiful children, Bradley, Gavin, and Kynlee. Thank you for your love and for putting up with me and this crazy ride you get to be a part of. You three are my everything.
Finally, to Trav. You are my sunrise, you are the light that banishes the darkness, and the joy in my life. Thank you will never be enough.