Good to the Finish

It's simply a fact that we all face difficulties in life—as children, and later, as parents. I believe we should actually celebrate these struggles because they are the experiences that have fundamentally shaped who we are today. This book is my way of sharing our family’s journey, including the times of great happiness and the moments of deep pain.

After my father, Bishop Pastor Paul F. Hesselbein, passed away in 2009, my mother thought writing our family history would be a helpful way for us to heal. This forty-six-year journey was filled with both joy and sadness. Mother really wanted the book to have a simple, conversational feel, and I honored that wish. We spent many, many hours reminiscing and reliving those stories together. Now that Mother has passed away, I decided to have the book re-edited and I made a few small changes—but nothing that alters the core story.

While the events are mostly in order, the story isn't strictly tied to the timeline. There are several reflections and a couple of parts that seem to pop up without warning. I truly hope you take the time to read this little book. Its goal isn't to draw attention to myself, but rather to serve as a testimony to the grace and mercy of God.