As 2017 draws to a close, we start seeing TV and news articles about the “Top Ten Stories of the Year.” For me personally, my number one is a no-brainer—I wrote my first book! It’s about the life of our late son Peter, He Made Us Better: A Story of Faith, Family, Friends (and Football).

As a kid, most of us imagine any number of things we might do as adults. But being an author? I really never saw this one coming. But it’s been the adventure of a lifetime, to have the privilege and honor of telling Peter’s story.

But much like raising Peter, while I may have had a primary role, writing this book was really a group effort, and never would have happened without the involvement of lots of people.

I’m grateful for:

– Those who encouraged me to write it, and believed in me. And God, for giving me the final nudge to quit thinking about it and get started.

– My reviewers. Including my editor at Indiana Prairie Farmer, Tom Bechman, who not only graciously gave me time off to get the bulk of the manuscript knocked out, but also offered to review portions of it for me, then encouraged me to “go for it.” Also, my wife Sandra, my pastor emeritus Dave Phillips, and my good friend John Myers, all of whom also reviewed it, made helpful suggestions, and encouraged me.

– My endorsers, Joni Eareckson Tada, Dick Vitale, and Brian Cardinal. These are extremely busy people, who nevertheless believed in the project, and graciously put their name behind it.

– Those who took a chance on a rookie author, and invested their time and money to buy and read the book.

– Those who turned out for the book signings, and made them so much fun.

– Peter, for being such a great kid and young man, who not only gave me the vision, but the abundance of wonderful stories to be able to share with and inspire readers.

– The cast of characters. As I say early in the book, Sandra and I didn’t raise Peter all by ourselves. Peter really did have a “village” of wonderful people who came around him and us to help us all along the way, and made our lives richer and much more fun. There really wouldn’t have been a story without all these folks. And it was wonderful to reconnect with so many of them during interviews for the book.

– The many kind and thoughtful comments from readers. One of the more common has been something like, “Thank you for writing this book. It made me a better person too.” That’s why I wrote it, to take Peter’s story to a wider audience, who I felt could benefit from knowing him. So very nice to know it’s hitting the mark.

– It’s been especially nice to hear from readers who have “been there” in some way or another themselves, with special needs children, including a number who have also lost their child. I’ve never met some of these folks, but after sharing experiences, feel a special bond immediately, and feel like I’ve known them forever.

Every year is different, but for me, 2017 has been more different than any other. I’m glad I did it. I am blessed.

Have a great New Year!

Darrell