Allison DuBois: Don't Kiss Them Good-bye

This book is dedicated to fathers. I have recently realized just how precious fathers can be. Four extraordinary men I was fortunate enough to have known passed away in 2002:

My father, Mike Gomez, whom I adored and will miss until the day I die. He wasn’t a typical dad. He started giving me facials at the age of nine so that I could avoid wrinkles when I was older. Nice try, Dad! You had to love him. He lived to be sixty-seven, but inside, he was just a tenacious child. I know that he will dance among the stars forever with all the beautiful ladies. Nobody laughed or lived quite like my dad.

My good friend Randy passed away seven weeks after my dad. He was the Seafood King and my favorite skeptic. Randy made everything into an event for all to enjoy. Like my dad, he died of a heart attack, except he was only forty-nine years old. He leaves the world with three amazing kids and a wife with whom he shared his vibrant spirit.

My sarcastically funny great-uncle Don, a former sheriff and a pilot in World War II. He made it to eighty and took his final flight that January.

Russ Serzen, a former New York Yankee and all-around great dad. I only knew him briefly but he left unexpectedly from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (a fatal brain disease). He left a lasting impression on me. He was to be admired.

All of these men lived life large and made no apologies for who they were. They were all inspirations, and they were all dads.

Joe: You are the man who has held my hand through all the bumps in the night. You have my undying adoration. Thank you for understanding me.

My girls: You have enabled me to understand why parents can’t let go when they lose a child. I will be with you always.

Mom: Thank you for some of my best childhood memories. I love you.

Dad: I love you. Thank you for teaching me to smile in the face of adversity

Grandpa Joe: Even though you are on the other side, we are… connected. You are one of the most honorable men ever.

Uncle Joe and Aunt Linda: Thank you for always making me feel I belong.

Grandma Jenee: Thank you for sharing my gift and helping make me who I am. I love you.

Mary Frances: You comfort me. Thank you for gracing my life.

Jim: Thank you for staying with us and for your guidance.

Wendy: Thank you for being my sounding board. You’re a good friend.

Stacey: Thank you for your friendship and the many times you made me laugh. When I couldn’t pick myself up you gave me your strength. You are family.

Christina: You are one of a kind and will remain a friend of mine for life. Thank you for knowing me as “Allison” and all of the goofy moments that we have shared.

Christy Orders, my friend who helped me in the writing of my book: You remind me how little attention I paid in college English. Your contribution is infinite. Thank you! You are an exceptional woman.

Trevor: I loved you before you were ever born.

Kelsey: I’ve never met a human being with such presence. You physically knocked me over when you stood beside me. You’re an extraordinary man with many wonderful gifts.

Susy: You’re an amazing teacher. Walk with me always.

Little Michael: Remember you are always a part of us. I love you!

My brother Michael: You mean the world to me.

Shari: You helped raise me. Thank you. Cheers!

Domini: I miss you. Don’t forget to visit me regularly.

Laurie Campbell: The medium that other mediums consult. Thank you for raising the bar and for being my friend. Your dad is very proud!

Charlie and Susie Shaughnessy: Thank you for your valuable words of wisdom. You are two special people. If I can ever be of service to you, just say the word.

Jerry Conser: You not only helped me in the writing of my book, you were the only person who knew there was something different about me as a child. You are a special man, and I thank you.

Glenn Gordon Caron: Nobody does it better. To sum your talent up in one word would be impossible. You’re that good. I can never thank you enough for capturing me.

Gary Hart: Thank you for remembering me. I’ll always remember you.

Patricia: You’re an enigma! Thank you for never waivering from who you are.

“Chief”: I will always look up to you. A legal genius and good-looking—how did you manage that? Hee-hee!

Patty: You are the woman I had hoped to grow up to be. You are so good at putting those bad guys away. You are one of my closest friends. Thanks for being the maverick that you are.

Connie: You’re the best, never to be underestimated. Thank you for your guidance.

Dr. Julie Beischel: You are an extraordinary scientist unafraid of the possibilities. Thank you.

Bert Sass: Thank you for taking me seriously.

Jim Manley: Keep breaking those glass ceilings.

Missing Children: We will never stop looking for you… ever.

Maggie, Carol, Susan, Sylvia, Maddy, Rami, Suzy, Barb: You are all special.

Grammnet: Thank you for all your hard work.

Steve Stark: My admiration for you is a drop in the bucket.

Chris Maul: You will grow into the best in the business.

Julie Mondimore: Congrats on your baby boy. He is blessed to have you as a mother.

Paramount: Thank you for being the best!

Jennifer Solari: Your dad is truly proud of his little girl.

NBC: You are the network I wanted the most. Thank you to everyone for being top-notch.

Cathryn Boxberger: You are a woman of many facets. Thank you for being exceptional.

Jeff Zucker: I am honored to know you and your talent.

Kevin Riley: Thank you for appreciating me and being a great man of vision.

Chris Conti: Drive carefully! Thank you for seeing me for who I am. You are unforgettable.

Simon & Schuster: You have my gratitude for caring so much.

Nancy Hancock: You are not only a phenomenal woman, you are the one who found me.

Ellen Silberman: Genius! Thank you for working your magic.

A special thank-you to all the people mentioned in my book.You have helped me to grow.

My guides: Thank you for never steering me wrong and for sharing my mischievous sense of humor.

Linda G. Russek, Ph.D.,

Heart Science Foundation Laboratory and Center for Family Love and Health,

Tucson, Arizona

Allison DuBois is a medium extraordinaire. She connects to the other side with care, poise, presence, and love. The love in this book is palpable. Allison’s love of family and friends, her love for her husband and his love and support for her, as well as her unconditional love for her children complete a circle of energy that adds to her focus and enhances her ability to perform at her very best. The readings she shares in her book demonstrate her innate ability to give specific information to the people she reads, her “sitters,” regarding their lost loved ones. She provides this evidence of their continuing connection with both clarity and heart.