There are also those friends and family members who have been in my life for some time and have stepped forward into roles of such support and generosity that words do little to express my gratitude. Knowing that to be true, I still must make an attempt…

Sarah Chennault, for her devoted friendship, belief in me and willingness to give whatever I may need including being the sorter of my teaching "stuff" and providing storage space; Alice Cornwall, for her abiding love and friendship; Jim Elder and Karen Kiefer, lifelong friends who have held our hands throughout all our challenges, especially now; Jim and Jill Hard, friends who have given us hours of their time; Ginette Ilsley, for her love of both Andrea and me and for honoring Andrea's memory by giving her daughter, Olivia, 'Andrea' as a middle name; Betty Lucas, my wonderful sister who has given me numerous walks, talks and supportive phone chats, always "in the nick of time"; Jackie Lucas, another incredible sister who came and gave sustenance to my wounded heart and continues to do so; Chuck and Don Lucas, two of my brothers who gave me a day of their lives to help with projects that I was overwhelmed by and who continue to send me their tender thoughts; Carol Mongelli, a friend who has become an integral part in my soul's development and is my succor and hill-climbing partner; Sybil Paukert, Andrea's forever friend who gave input on the brochure and is connected in a special way to us both; Meg Scrofani, a friend who has given countless hours of her creative mind to the development of Andrea's brochure as well as ceaseless support and suggestions; and Karen Connolly, another friend whose input is cherished and valued and whose honesty and example have made her one of my heroes

There have been people brought into my life with such synchronicity that I have to believe it is by design…

(Again, listed alphabetically)

Dr. Seth Ammerman from Stanford University, who gave of his precious time to answer my questions and review the brochure and who is willing to be a valuable resource for readers of this web site; Leigh Anne Conklin, a new friend and kindred spirit who gives me hope; Wayne Gilbert and his students at Napa High, who took on the direction and production of the first edition of Andrea's video as a class project; Jana Milhon-Martin, whose love for Andrea has translated into continual gifts for me; Victoria Nelson, who has become a dear and treasured friend who inspires me with her own journey and who expresses continual support and belief in mine; Ty Ramsower, who got the ball rollin' and is never too busy for me; Wendy Rick, who generously shared her right-on advice for the brochure and who has much to give the world; Jason Sutter, my friend and colleague who voluntarily put his tremendous creative Web-Site-talents into "Andrea's Voice" and has shown phenomenal patience with my lack of "techno-savvy;" and Jeanne Title, a colleague who has provided support for the creation of Andrea's brochure and introduced me to Sue Osborn, an exceptionally patient and talented Graphic Artist.

And … cherished family members from both my husband's side and mine and friends who have played integral parts in my life …

My dad, Paul Lucas and Tom's folks, Ginny and D.L. Smeltzer for their constant emotional support and financial help; my mom, Marie Lucas, for her love and for passing over just weeks before so that Andrea would have a devoted grandmother to greet her; my sisters, Sharon Amato and Gwenn Lucas, for their supportive calls and letters; my brothers Richard Lucas, for coming to each memorial service, maintaining contact and sending warm thoughts my way and Bob Lucas, for the many memories he has provided through his talented photography; my sisters-in-law, Deborah Smeltzer, who generously provided "air" miles for our first trek to New York for an International Eating Disorders Conference, Diane Cherni for thoughtfully remembering Andrea on her anniversary dates, and Denise Smeltzer for adding humor to our lives through e-mail communications as well as brothers-in-law, David Kingsbury, who kindheartedly gave us a lifesaving and ultra modern lap top computer,David Smeltzer and Bob Smeltzer, for their concern, kind words and comfort; Carol Hamm and Lynn McSwain for their friendship and prayers through the years, no matter what; Nuestra familia de España por todo; my Bel Aire Park School family and all of those whose names have not been mentioned but have given assistance, cried with me, offered prayers and made donations to Andrea's Memorial Fund. I thank you!

My most profound teachers and advocates have been saved for last…

Tracy Work, our extraordinary son-in-law who gives his love, the logical perspective of youth as well as free legal advice, and Tom, Jocelyn and Andrea, my husband and daughters, who provide invariable and immutable love, strength, and courage on a daily basis: they are my eternal teachers. I could write volumes on the blessings they bring into my life. I thank God for them and the growth and learning we share in this new journey.

Doris Smeltzer

The Lovely dragonfly used on this Web Site was reprinted with permission from Lynne Tuft, co-author and illustrator of The Grapes Grow Sweet: A Child's First Harvest in Wine Country; Studio Eight/River Press, May 1996.