For this blog I want to take the time to thank you my supporters through this incredible time. I had 29 funders for my campaign, as well as receiving both a scholarship and research grant. I also received support in editing, idea generation, words of love and encouragement, and space and support to allow my life to be on hold for a month while I was away. The folks at Tara Books in India were warm and cooperative and the trip, including the volunteering, was one of the bravest and most astounding experiences I have ever had.
Those of you who helped to get me to India were amazing. This whole experience has been an act of vulnerability, trust, and gladness and I feel a unique connection to each and every person who helped me along this journey.
Here is a shout out to those of you who have pledged to allow me to name you:Margot VS., who taught me to be vulnerable and brave
Ken B., who gave me the nerve to trust my writing and academic skills
Tamara G., who has given me many loving memories over our cherished 20 year friendship and I hope we have 20 more years as friends. She helped with both editing and a financial contribution
Robbin S., who has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met
Ruth L., who told me to go for it and do it right -and I did!
Leslie S. who has been a delight to work with in the book business, and I was honoured to have your support
Peter J. who has never once made me stop laughing
Ed M. whose good natured generosity is always present
Romita C. who was a open-minded yet rigorous mentor and support to me during these 5 long academic years
Stephanie W. who has been there through every idea and had to put up with my academic blatherings and some pretty tough bull fights, but nevertheless, I still have the honour to call my friend
Riana and Emily who are a well of deep joy and love for me in my life and whose contributions meant so much.
My dear and lovely friends Kerry, Kim H. and Christina who were all generous in their support and cheering me on from afar.
Ivan Z.who helped to make me a little more sane, or made my craziness a little more ok.
To my biggest supporters: my courageous mom, Ann Read, my close friend and sparkling Toni, and my loving husband Eric. I could not have done this without you. My mentor and professor Mike G. has also been instrumental in this work. Thank you so much.
Others who didn't want a shout out but deserve it anyway: Joanne B. who carries a beautiful light within her always and I am lucky to have it spark a little light in me through our dance adventures; Don G. who respected me and helped me make the space to do this work; Patrick, Rodger & Pat whose support was magnificently generous, Nyk D. whose steadiness and strength helped me bounce ideas and see cracks in the whole plan; Joe W. who took the time to read this and give me awesome feedback; Cory M. who surprised me at the last moment. John B. a prince of a man whose travels are the envy of the book world, who immediately understood everything about this trip even if I didn't. Jill M. for whom I had an immediate connection the moment we met and I am grateful that we did and I hope she keeps on writing because she is wonderful at it. Leslie & Jen who I had only just met at the time and started working with, and who surprised and delighted me with their support and friendship from early days. Chyla who I first posed the idea to, and who was supportive from the get-go. JoAnn M. who is a great nurturer of talent and good work and I am lucky to know her as we all are in the book planet; and Anne G. who is an artist in her own right and delighted me with her support even as it was from afar. Bharathi, Collette, Evelyn and Connie were all female profs who paved the way for this work and supported and mentored me through this process. Kym and Leslie for all your advice on how to travel as a woman alone in one of the most mind boggling countries in the world.
Thank you all. I could feel your support emanating across the miles as I made my way across 4 states in South India.
I will be working on this paper until the beginning of May, threading all the most important ideas from my research into some semblance of order. I look forward to the next phase as I travel down this metaphorical road until the end of the degree.
I will post a few more times through the spring as I dig deeper into this work.
In Gratitude,
Heather
