We’ve been asked a number of times why we’re writing this book.  We had discussed it for a while, thinking about Dzeni’s background as a refugee and his journey here to the United States after escaping the war in Bosnia, fleeing to Croatia, and then traveling on his own to Washington D.C.  That experience in itself would be enough to fill the pages of a book.  Then in September 2010, Dzeni had a stroke at the age of 36 when on his way to visit his friends and family in Bosnia.   Our lives changed at that moment, and since then, we’ve learned so much, grown in many ways, and have come to realize yet again how lucky we are – to have each other, to have this life, and for Dzeni, to have survived yet again.

So the idea of a book was renewed so that we could document some of the things we’ve learned through all of this and to share some of the stories that have inspired us to move forward day by day.   Dzeni survived war in his country and created a new and successful life again.  Then he was given a second chance at survival after the stroke.  We do hope that this book can help other survivors, caregivers, and those facing difficulty to be encouraged that though the road is a long one and the process continual, it does move forward and there is hope.