With gratitude to the River

In January, 2022, I was staying at the Requa House (part of the historic Requa Inn in California) which sits at the Klamath River, the spiritual and nourishing energy source for the Yurok Tribe. Inasmuch as I was there for work, I was also on copy deadline for my book.

My manuscript was finished and the only thing left was to come up with a title for my book. Sitting in the solitude of the Requa House with the Klamath River within constant eyesight, I was in email conversations with my editor, Ginna B B Gordon, about what to call my book. We bantered with a variety of choices: "Dancing in Fire" came close, but it is too close to a song of the same title. Then I thought about "Dancing in Their Shadows", which I loved since I was literally in the graceful winter shadow of the Klamath River.

Then, Ginna said: "Debbie, you have never danced in anyone's shadow. You have always been in their light."

BAM. That was it. The title, "Dancing in Their Light" was born.

A Yurok tribal elder told me that the Klamath River is a sacred place where, if you listen closely, the heart hears the answers.

With respect and gratitude to the River.