Without a Word_ How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything - Jill Kelly [84]
I guess I have a hard time waiting for what I know is going to be great. So like Christmas morning, I wait to experience the indescribable gift of being on the other side of time, in eternity.
Later today I’m going to spend the afternoon with my mother, sorting through the thousands of photos we have of Hunter. We plan to pick out just the right ones for this book. And as we look at each picture, we’ll probably cry and laugh and cry some more…. And that’s exactly how I want to spend this day: remembering my son and all that God did through his brief and incredible life.
Because I’m missing the boy whose unspoken love…
Changed everything…
Without a word.
Acknowledgments
There are many special people who deserve praise for having been instrumental in making this memoir a reality. People I met as a result of journeying through this project, and individuals who’ve been there with me all along.
You all mean so much to me—more than I can possibly describe or explain. I thank God for all of you and your partnership with me in bringing this heart-engraved work to fruition. You’re amazing people. What a blessing it is to have you all in my life. Thank you for everything!
To the entire FaithWords team: Joey Paul, wow. You have gone above and beyond. I’m truly overwhelmed by all you have done to polish this heart-drenched memoir. You have invested much, and we are deeply grateful. To your precious wife, Sharon: I thank God for the blessing of having your eyes and heart touch this, too. To Holly Halverson, Whitney Luken, and the rest of the team: I’m thankful for the privilege of working with you. We have entrusted our story, our testimony, into your hands, and we’re so glad we did.
To Kris Bearss: I’m so thankful that God allowed you to play such an important role in the editing process of Without a Word. God will use the time and talent you have poured into this memoir in ways we can’t even imagine; of this I am certain. Thank you for everything, Kris.
To the “Pray for Jill Kelly” Facebook Prayer Team: Thank you for your commitment to pray our family through this book-writing journey. I felt the power of your countless prayers on my behalf every time I sat down at my computer. And I continue to pray that God will bless you in ways only He can. And to Katherine McCauley, my dear friend who started the Facebook Prayer Team: You will never know how thankful I am for your commitment to stand in the gap for me. Thank you for rallying prayer warriors and for being one yourself. Without you, I’d never be able to make the best meatloaf in the whole world—and I’d never know the blessing of sharing life with such a wonderful friend.
To Robert Wolgemuth and the entire staff at Wolgemuth & Associates (affectionately known by the Kelly family as “Team Wolgemuth”): Your encouragement has meant so much to me. What you do is more than a profession—it’s a calling, and I’ve witnessed the hand of God use each one of you in such profound ways. Erik: Thank you for being an excellent Publishing 101 instructor. Michael: Thanks for your passion and excitement. What an encouragement you (and your precious wife) have been. Robert: Thank you for your friendship and for believing in the author I didn’t know I could be. This book and its powerful message are a testimony of your faith in the One who made it all possible. Please give Bobbie a hug for me… she’s fabulous.
To Tim McGraw and Faith Hill: Your willingness to be involved in our memoir in such a profound way blows us away. Thank you so much! Your love for each other and your commitment to family are an example to all of us. You remind us to live like we’re dying.
To Nancy Guthrie: Thank you for your words of encouragement. Your experience and wisdom in the literary world have been