The Lost Daughter: A Memoir (28 page)

Before writing my own book I scoffed at writers who equated writing theirs to giving birth. After the fact, I can’t think of a more fitting analogy. I could not have conceived of and delivered this book without the help and support of many people. I must thank my book’s “baby daddy,” Dave Eggers. Thanks, friend, for “planting the seed” and encouraging me to write when I didn’t believe I could. And thanks to my literary OB/GYN (aka, the world’s greatest agent), Edward Orloff. You rock! Not only did you open your home to me, you did a fantastic job monitoring my growth as a writer. Of course I had to have a doula. I found her in my wonderful editor, Sarah Hochman. Sarah, thank you for making a potentially painful and difficult process one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m thrilled that together we have delivered a book we can both be extremely proud of. Thanks to Blue Rider Press—David Rosenthal, Vanessa Kehren, Aileen Boyle, and Brian Ulicky—and to Penguin USA.

I’d also like to acknowledge the love and support of my friends and family: Jane Fonda, Mary Nell Kennedy, Deborah Williams, Uncle Landon, Neome Banks, Aunt Jan, Aunt Ora, Aunt Nell, Grandma, Ayaan Gates Williams, Thembi Williams, Indigo Williams, Aunt Virginia, Petik Williams, Kim Williams, Kijana Liu, Yupo Liu, John Williams, The Awesome Latasha Williams, Teresa Williams, Louise Williams, Donna Williams, Randy Williams, Clara Jean Williams, Vanessa Vadim, Troy Garity, Simone Bent, Nathalie Vadim, Ted Turner, Jimmy Brown, Debbie Masterson, Joe Masterson, Eileen Masterson, Laura Turner Seydel, Rutherford Seydel, Teddy Turner, Rhett Turner, Jenny Garlington, Beau Turner, Rosina Seydel, Scott Seydel, Pat Mitchel, Thouraya Raiss, Juan Jose Alonzo, Yasmine Alonzo. My Phonzis: Andrea Carter (S) and Terese Smallwood Whitehead (M), Laila Benchekroun, Rachida Benchekroun, Omar Chaabi, Vendela Vida, Valentino Deng, Patrice Gaines, Peter Frick Wright, Tom Hayden, Barbara Williams, Steven Bennett, Karen Averitt, Jim Averitt, Marin Marcus, Kristy Davis, Susan Johnson, Pat Durett, Robin Laughlin, Carol Mitchell, Tommy Mitchell, Shawn Barton, and David and Laurel Hodges. If I have left anyone out, I’m sorry and I’ll make it up to you later.

Last, I’d like to thank the amazing folks at the Student Conservation Association (SCA) for providing me with beautiful places to live, work, and contribute to the preservation of our country’s wild spaces. It was while working with the SCA, from the moonscaped deserts of Southern California to the grizzly-bear-infested forests of Alaska, that my mind was quieted enough to allow me to work on this book.

No matter under what circumstances you leave it, home does not cease to be home. No matter how you lived there—well or poorly.

—JOSEPH BRODSKY