Shelter Us: A Novel (31 page)

I began writing this book in 2008, when my younger son entered preschool. In the sanctuary of Elana Golden’s writing workshop, I wrote the first draft one hour a week for sixteen months. Thanks to Ianthe Mauro for leading me there.

Many readers helped me refine drafts along the way. Chiwan Choi helped me pinpoint Sarah’s voice. Elreen Bower saved my grammar, among other things. Aimee Bender offered inspiration and moral support, and a final read that helped bring everything together.

I am grateful to Susan Whitmore, mother of Erika and founder of GriefHaven, who opened her heart, provided invaluable insight into the emotional world of grieving parents, and advised me when passages missed the mark and when I got it right.

My deep appreciation goes to family and friends across the country who for six years kept asking, “How is the novel coming?” and kindly offered, “I love reading your blog,” so that I felt my words were worth
writing. Special thanks to Marni Diamond, Jessica Heisen, and Joyce Heisen for reading several versions, and even more, for their effusive support. My uncle Steve Busch gave me much encouragement, as did Peter Rustin and Peter Heisen.

I am grateful to my grandmother, Lilli Diamond, for modeling a positive outlook and embrace of life. She has provided much inspiration to me.

I am happy to have this opportunity to publicly proclaim again my gratitude to my parents, Roger and Fran Diamond: They have always made me feel special and that no achievement was beyond my grasp if I worked for it.

I am profoundly grateful to my sons Aaron and Emmett, who I appreciate and adore for simply being who they are—funny, kind, compassionate, smart, loving, and encouraging. They are my surest muses, my hugest joys, and have inspired and stretched me—in every way.

There are insufficient words to thank my husband Christopher Heisen, our family’s best storyteller. He was my first and last reader, helped me solve every seemingly intractable plot point, and most importantly, believed in me, which meant I had to believe in me.

Finally, a word of sincere thanks to the professionals whose life’s work is helping people like Josie and Tyler find their way back to stability from homelessness. Josie and Tyler were based on a family I came to know through volunteering with Beyond Shelter, now part of PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). These agencies help homeless families and individuals rebuild their lives, through housing, job training and placement, and comprehensive social work. At times this can be a frustrating, disheartening and overwhelming job; thank you for making the world a better place to live. My deepest admiration goes to Tanya Tull, founder of Beyond Shelter and innovator of the “housing first” model, and Joel John Roberts, CEO of PATH, which expertly carries on this mission.

For more information and resources on the issue of family homelessness, please see my website
www.LauraNicoleDiamond.com
.

L
aura Nicole Diamond
is the Editor of Deliver Me: True Confessions of Motherhood, a collection of true stories by 20 writers. She is a civil rights lawyer and former Editor-In-Chief of L.A. Family Magazine. Laura writes about family, parenting, and social justice for several publications, and on her blog, Confessions of Motherhood (
www.Confessionsofmotherhood.com
). She lives in Los Angeles with her family.

For more visit
www.LauraNicoleDiamond.com

She Writes Press is an independent publishing company
founded to serve women writers everywhere.
Visit us at
www.shewritespress.com
.

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