Through Mom's Eyes: Simple Wisdom From Mothers Who Raised Extraordinary Humans by Sheinelle Jones - 18

I never could have imagined the comfort and joy it would bring me to write a book on a topic I am so passionate about: motherhood. Just as it is far more challenging to parent alone, I certainly couldn’t have completed this project by myself. In addition to the mothers whose stories created a foundation for this book, I’d like to thank each and every mom who has taken the time to share her journey and her wisdom with me in the “Through Mom’s Eyes” series.

When it came time to actually write, I very quickly realized that my collaborator, Caroline Clarke, was sent by an angel. She was firm on the deadlines when needed, but more importantly, hers was the steady, warm, loving voice that helped me to find my own voice in the midst of hectic days (and weeks and months!), offering confident words of You got this encouragement all along the way.

It’s one thing to have a vision, it’s another to have cheerleaders who give you the wings to go for it. I have so much gratitude for my entire publishing team, who believed in me from the start. To Michelle Howry and the team at Putnam and Penguin Random House: Thank you for using your gifts to help blooming writers like me put thoughts on the page, and ultimately into a beautiful book like this one!

To my book agents, Gail Ross and Dara Kaye: the two of you are so darn good at what you do! Thank you for being my thought partners throughout each step of this process. And thanks to my agent, Olivia Metzger, for always being a phone call away.

To producers Amanda Starnes and Brooke Fraser, who did so much of the heavy lifting to bring the “Through Mom’s Eyes” series to life, I appreciate you so much. To Jackie Agnolet, the air-traffic controller of my life, I can’t imagine having gotten through this project, or anything for that matter, without your support. You know how much you matter when even my kids say, “Just ask Jackie.”

To my friends and colleagues who offered quotes about their own mothers: your words helped shape this book into something I am so proud to put out into the world.

To my own mom, Sheila Kinnard, and my grandmother, Josephine Brown: writing this book only affirms how lucky I am to have women like you, who have shaped my life. No matter what was happening in our family, I ALWAYS felt loved and seen.

This book would not exist without my dear husband, Uche. He pushed me to do this on days when I wanted to give up because I didn’t think I had the time or bandwidth to see it to completion. He would gently remind me when a deadline was approaching and, despite everything we were dealing with, on many days he seemed more passionate than I was to make it happen. The truth is, I’ve had this book on my heart for a very long time, and I’m so thankful he believed in me and the stories I wanted to tell.

Finally, thank you for spending a bit of your time with me. I believe in you and wish you and your family all the best.