A Protocol for Grace (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781508580430)

About Us (Written by Christine) In 1986 when my life was at a crossroads, I met Mark through an outreach prevention program called Partners In Prevention. He and his partners were instrumental in the turn my life eventually took. The people I met and the support I received from those involved in Partners provided me with the foundation I needed in order to work through the unresolved issues from my past. After surviving that initial process of confronting, dealing with, and healing from those issues, I felt like I wanted to give back. After receiving my masters and working for several years as a Child Protection Social Worker, I started to think of how I wanted to give back. The idea of writing a book seemed to be the option that most appealed to me. The characters and plot of the book began formulating in my mind and, in 1999 I finally sat down at my computer and started writing the book. I drew my inspiration from my own story, my education, and my professional experiences. I didn't realize how cathartic the experience would be for me. I knew I was on the right track and that it was important for me to finish the book. However, I hit a wall. Although I could envision all of the characters and the storyline, I didn't feel that I could do the project alone. I approached my very dear friend and writer, Mark. After I explained the book to him, he said he thought it was a great story with an important theme and terrific ending. He, too, brought his own perspective to the story and, between us, we were able to write a powerful narrative of human struggle. Mark tells me that he feels lucky to have been involved in writing this book. "While I do believe that my contributions have not been minor," Mark says, "I recognize that they are only contributions and that the essence of the book existed before I ever become involved." I say that I could not have finished the book without Mark. He has been a true friend and has been my support and inspiration both in writing this book and in life.