B009G3EPMQ EBOK (33 page)

When it came to the simple goals of rejoining Erik, finally
having our baby together, and beginning our family life, the odds against us were impossible. Therefore we will raise this family with the knowledge that every day leading forward from this new beginning is truly a gift, a wonderful thing whose value cannot be measured.

Just over nine months after her rescue, Jessica and Erik greeted the arrival of their son, August. © Erik Esbjörnsson

1. Bahadur, Jay.
The Pirates of Somalia: Inside Their Hidden World
(New York: Dutton, 2011).

2. Wasdin, Howard E., and Templin, Stephen.
SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper
(New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2011).

3. Owen, Mark, with Lewis, Iowan M.
No Easy Day
(New York: Dutton, 2012).

4. Lewis, Iowan M.
Understanding Somalia and Somaliland: Culture, History, Society
(New York: Columbia/Hurst, 2011).

5. Harper, Mary Jane.
Getting Somalia Wrong? Faith, War and Hope in a Shattered State
(African Arguments) (London, ZED Books, 2012).

6. Biset, Blain,
“Reduce Poverty in Africa—Educate a Girl”
(
allAfrica.com
,
face page, English Edition, October 11, 2012).

From Anthony:

I will always be grateful to Erik and Jessica for trusting me to write their story. They endured months of long Skype interviews and my endless questions across the time difference of many hours between Seattle and Nairobi, and did so with graceful patience.

Atria Books’ Senior Editor Sarah Durand was indispensible to this project. She pursued this story with determination, acquired the book rights, and approved the unconventional narrative style I was convinced this story needed. She has been a creative and positive advocate for this book from the beginning, guiding it through the publication process with sensitivity and skill, along with her most capable assistant, Daniella Wexler.

Any book’s fate rests with the talents and abilities of its publishing team. Judith Curr, Publisher at Atria Books, and Paul Olsewski, Atria’s Vice President and Director of Publicity, put enough publishing muscle behind this book to see to it the world would come to know this story.

Ann Clark at Edelman Public Relations handled the initial media barrage following the kidnapping and aggressively maintained Jessica and Erik’s privacy during their reunion.

And finally, Sharlene Martin of Martin Literary Management put her company’s weight and personal acumen behind bringing this story to the world. The results of her efforts are here in every line.

From Erik:

To Jess: For being the magnificent person you are. Words cannot describe the love and admiration I feel for you. The courage and determination you showed during our horrible days apart as well as in the aftermath has cemented those feelings. Waking up by your side every day is a treasure, and we will now get to see and experience all those things we postponed, together. What an amazing gift, to share life with the person you love.

To John Buchanan: For believing in me when doubt and animosity could have been the easier ways out. When times were tough you remained faithful and determined that Jess would come back alive and you gave me the strength I needed. The endless hours we spent on the phone were of paramount importance to me. Your dedication is inspiring. I am proud to be part of your family and I am learning by your example.

To President Barack Obama: For your personal commitment in making it possible to rescue Jess. So many things could have gone wrong, but you made the tough decision that was needed, and for that reason Jess is alive today.

To Navy SEAL Team Six: I understand you did your jobs that dark night on January 25, 2012, but for me you did much more, risking yourselves to give life back to my family. I also want to extend a special acknowledgment to your families in the United States, for supporting and allowing you to do this vital work.

To the FBI (and “other agencies” involved): For the impressive work conducted during Jess’s captivity, rescue, and postrelease, I
will never understand the full extent of your work, but the dedication and devotion shown by the people I have had the pleasure of meeting speaks for itself.

To Matt Espenshade: For your professional and personal involvement in our struggle. You reached beyond what anyone could have asked for. Simply put, without you, Jess and I would most likely not have had the opportunity to tell our story.

To Ann Soucy, Dan Hardy, and the Crisis Management Team: For all the hard work you did during this ordeal and for listening when needed and reacting when needed even more.

To Leila Gupta, our Crisis Counselor: For being there at the right time for me, Jess, and her family; your professional advice and ability to listen were crucial for all of us.

To Poul: For having been there for Jess during the ninety-three days of captivity. I know how much you helped each other and found strength in each other’s company.

To Amy and Stephen: For being the resourceful persons you are; you never stopped believing in your sister, and when times were tough you kept on reminding me how strong Jess is. You both had to endure so much during this time and yet you remained positive.

To Anthony and Sharlene: For taking such an interest in our lives and the story we have to tell. How nice it has been to work with both of you. Without you, none of this would have been possible.

To my parents, Johan and Lena: For having been the best parents I could wish for. Without your support and belief in me I would not have come to Africa and Somalia in the first place. Even though you were not always happy about it, you accepted it. You are both role models in your own unique ways and I hope to follow your example, providing your grandson with the unconditional love you have always shown to me.

To my sister, Linnea: For always loving and being there for me,
in hard times and in good times, and for now being such a wonderful auntie to our son, August. I am so proud to have you as my sister.

To all you known and unknown friends around the world, believers of different faiths and nonbelievers alike, who gave strength to us during this ordeal with your thoughts and prayers, my deep and enduring thanks.

From Jessica:

To Erik: I never knew I could love someone so much until I found myself in the middle of that desert, wondering if I would ever see you again. I was always sure you were back at home beating down every door, shouting at anyone who would listen, and exhausting every option to ensure my freedom. Thank you for all you did then and for all you continue to do for me now. You are a gift of a husband, my best friend, confidant, and the love of my life.

To Daddy: Every morning I would call upon your strength and your faith, believing that your prayers for me were reaching high into the heavens. Thank you for your unwavering love, support, and wisdom throughout this whole ordeal. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you.

To Mama: I missed you then and I miss you now. Thank you for holding me when I was so afraid, stroking my hair and keeping me safe, whispering reassurances to me that if I didn’t make it, you were waiting for me on the other side. I’ll see you when I get there . . .

To Amy and Stephen: What incredibly beautiful, strong, courageous siblings I have. You both are gifts that I treasure beyond measure. I continued to hope and believe, during those dark moments, that I would live to see you both have families and that we would all grow old together. What a privilege it is to know you
both, and to witness all that you are accomplishing in your lives. Thank you for not giving up on me, and most of all, for understanding me.

To Matt, the FBI Team, and other government agencies: Thank you for your tireless efforts to find and rescue me. Because of your commitment to your jobs, I am alive today. Matt—not only did you put in far more than many others would, on a professional level, you also gave the extra measure of support Erik and my family so desperately needed to survive this ordeal. I know you didn’t have to do that, and I am infinitely grateful to you and your family for the sacrifices you made to ensure my safe rescue.

To the CMT (Crisis Management Team): Thank you for all the efforts you made to ensure my release and safe return. I understand it was a horrific ninety-three days for you as well and am so very grateful for all you did to help get us through.

To Poul: “Still is still moving.” Thank you for that beautiful meditative reminder, so helpful in keeping me strong out there. You protected my mind as well as kept me physically safe, and I will always admire you for the way you live out your beliefs through your work.

To President Obama and SEAL Team Six: Thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude for the difficult decisions you had to make, and the risks you had to take, so that I could have my life back. I have never been prouder to be an American and hope I can continue to live my life in a way that makes America proud to belong to me. To the heroic members of SEAL Team Six, thank you for risking your lives to save mine. I will never understand how you do what you do, but my respect for the service and sacrifice you each make continues to grow as I comprehend all you have done for me.

To Anthony and Sharlene: Thank you for finding our story worth telling, and for helping us tell it in a way that we can be proud to someday show our son. You were the first to hear the whole story and we will always hold you dear to our hearts.

To friends around the world: Thank you infinitely for your love, prayers, and thoughts. They lifted me up over and over during my captivity. I felt that energy giving me strength to get up and endure every morning, bringing me peace every afternoon. My heart is so grateful for the kindness you have shown to me and my family.