Two of the most fun-loving and adventurous men in the world are my sons – Brandon and Chris. I couldn’t have hand-picked better guys to share life with. They courageously and generously cooperated in the writing of this book. They knew their lives shaped much of the story Vicki wanted to tell and that I hoped would be told, but I still gave them “veto power.” That is, if they felt embarrassed or exposed at any time, they had the final word on what would and wouldn’t be included in Dancing With The Healer. You should know they gave me permission to include everything you read here. I couldn’t be more proud.

Acknowledgements

Jim Gilbert

Jim Gilbert is an author, songwriter, and world-traveler – possessing one of the most creative minds in my sphere of influence. He looked over my introduction and prodded me to go deeper and add color. (“Thanks Coach!”) I hope he senses just how huge his influence was, and how grateful I am for his friendship – we’ve known and loved each other for 35 years. (To learn more about Jim and his writing talents, check out a book he co-authored with Terry Law entitled The Power of Praise and Worship.)

I’m also grateful for Caroline Cocciardi-Eitzen’s timely input. Early in the writing process, when I got bogged down from time to time, she demanded that I stay in my “creative mind” rather than continually revisiting what I had already written. Thank you, Caroline, for cracking the whip and keeping me on track. And if you’d like to see just how creative she is, check out www.monalisarevealed - the just-released DVD project exploring the 26 secrets of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”

Vicki and I want to thank some of the special people God brought into our lives at monumental (and not so monumental) times. They influenced our story, and I can’t thank them for their friendship and input enough. John and Helen Hershman, Sue Peterson-Ray, Donna Tobias, Rick and Gale Godwin, Bonnie and Doug Jenkins, Bob “Bobo” Laughlin, Dr. Bob and Joan Rhoden (Joan was the first to write about Vicki’s miraculous healing - http://www.tpe.ag.org/Articles2001/4540_rhoden.cfm), Troy and Beth Mitten, Dave and Julie Connolly, Matt Edmundson, Larry and Bobi Andes, Jason and Melissa Stickles, Dina Ching, Kendalle Stock, Patricia Reeves, Murray and Myra Davis, Dr. Chip Jones, Cheryl and David Orms, Mark Willoughby, Fred Spivey, Terry and Idit Knezic: thanks for comforting me, calling me, painting my house, taking me hunting, finding time to have a coffee at Starbucks or B&N, being my best man, being my best friend, and on and on.

I’m thankful for Donald Miller and his books, Blue Like Jazz and Searching For God Knows What. They materialized at a most opportune and critical time in my life. His gifted story telling greatly influenced the writing of this book.

I’m indebted to Becky Qualls. She regularly encouraged me to “venture into Vicki’s world” when we were still newlyweds. Whenever she said, “I’m on your team,” I knew I could make it through the reliving and retelling of life with Vicki. I love being in Becky’s world now.

I wish to thank our parents: Ed and Peggy Winstead, and Claude and Retha Qualls. Our folks not only gave Vicki and me their blessing, but we knew they had our backs as well. (I do wish my Dad were still around to help us celebrate the completion of this project. He passed away a day after Father’s Day in June of 2007. I picture him dancing with Vicki and Jesus around the throne of heaven; that vision gives me great comfort … and hope.)

Finally, I want to thank “The Healer.” He is a gracious dance Partner. Over time Vicki and I found there was nothing too hard for Him, no valley too deep that He wasn’t deeper still, and no darkness He couldn’t dispel. And when He invited us to hold onto Him during our most difficult times, when our strength was gone, we discovered He always had a way of turning our mourning into dancing. Dancing with Him is a blast!

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible … and suddenly

you are doing the impossible.”

St. Francis of Assisi