How It Ends (30 page)

To all the students who have let me into their lives and shared their stories with me over the years:
thank you
. You have taught me more than I could ever hope to have taught you, and you inspire me beyond words. I especially want to recognize Sydney Morris, who passed away before she could see this book in print. I miss you, Syd.

I want to thank my parents, who inspired my love of reading, and who never said no when I asked for another book. They have always encouraged me to dream big and aim high, and they made me believe I could do anything I set my mind to. Thank you also to my brother and sister, Chris and Brianne, for their humor, their friendship, and their support.

The path to publication has been a long one, and my husband, Ernie Lo, has walked it beside me. We've laughed, cried, celebrated, and commiserated. He has picked me up, cheered me on, and kept me on task (“Get off the Internet and back to work!”). Thank you for believing in me. I love you to the moon and back.

And to my children—Ethan and Mackenzie. You are smart, you are talented, and you are loved. Dream big and follow your hearts. There is no limit to what you can do.

©
IAN BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

Inspired by twelve years of working with at-risk teenagers,
How It Ends
is C
ATHERINE
L
O
's first novel. She lives in Ontario with her family.