Thanks to…

Kelsey, Sam, Adriana, Fernanda, Pepe, Edgar, Nayeli, Paco, Saritza, Andrea, Andrés, Saritza, Isaac, Chloe, Zach, Luc, Mariam, Maria, Zeal, Clara, Toni, Stephanie and Kevin for giving me something to write about .Kelsey and Sam for filling my life with joy, tears, laughter, dirty clothes, wisdom, sticky hands, and the word "Mamá" . Fernando Arriaga for editing and his love. Jen DeMarco for her love and for being our Tae Kwon Do partner. Amit for guiding Kelsey. Jen Maher for her big heart. Ginger Carlson for constant guidance and loving Sam. Raphael for quirckiness. Sarah Fang for biting humor. Johnny Rodríguez for enthusiasm. Pilar and Armando for being family. Christie Clark for laughter. Mark Haxton for inspiration. My dog Gracie for wise commentary. My cat Lola keeping my keyboard warm and . My cat Cleveland for keeping my toes warm. Sirenia Contreras for teaching me how to take care of my baby two decades ago. Danny LeGault for keeping my old car running. Karen Richardson for being Karen. Robin Tyce for being Kelsey’s “Robbie”. Federico Moreno for childcare swapping. Luísa Marcos for watching Kelsey so I could go to college. My sister Kathleen for taking me and Kelsey in more than once. My sister Tricia for loving my kids and listening. My brother for reading my stories. Theresa Howell for beautiful editing. René Colato Laínez for advice. My parents for my life. Steve, Linda and Gerry for loving Kelsey. So many people from India and Thailand for their friendship. My students for filling my life with wonder and laughter…you come into my life and slip away with such grace and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at the joy of it. Eric, Gail, and Jim for being family. Rueben Martinez for encouragement. Mark for giving me Sam. Felipe for giving me Kelsey