Bøker i Berkinsville-serien

This story is dedicated to all who dare to walk on holy ground by touching another human soul with love. (A thought suggested by Stephen Covey.) Why did I write it? It took over 12 years to complete the 16 books. I wrote it because I think it gives some perspective on the meaning of life. I have come to believe that God, at the creation, as a test of integrity, gave us a spirit with free will. A test of our integrity observed by God. I believe it is not so much what we accomplish, but how we get there. For that reason, I want to tell you this story of my remarkable friend Janet and those who were with her during her lifetime. Janet is responsible for preserving so much: the town of Berkinsville, the families, the intangible things you can only know by knowing her story. We lived our lives in a remarkable little town with exceptional people. Some of what you learn may be hard to believe, however people like this do exist. This is Janet's love story and a little of my own. I hope you observe and consider more than that. There was, and is, a spitituality that sustains it all. This is a long detailed story covering 4 years of our lives. Have you ever read a good book and found it ended too soon, leaving you with the feeling it was just getting to the good part? I promise you the whole love story. You will know it all. The attributes of thse people may strain crddibility. These attributes do exist but they are rare. That these people all ended up int same place and time is remarkable. My modeling work has taken me to many parts of the world. My live has been filled with rich blessings from God and that only helped me to realize there is no place as wonderful as my own hometown of Berkinsville. No one could ever have moe loyal and wonderful friends. I think you will enjoy getting to know them as I tell you their story. -- Diane

As we continue with Book 2 of the 16, Janet and John have had their first date. You've gotten to know George and Molly Berkins. I'll remind you they are the majority stockholders of the family-owned corporation. George Berkins is a great-grandson in a long line of Berkins' who established the town of Berkinsville. Together, the threesome, George, Molly, and Janet are operating the mill office of the complex business. In this book you will get to know Steve Doyle: Janet's high school sweetheart, shy, athletic, and, as our story continues, he is serving out his military obligation in the Army. His romance with Janet has cooled into a wonderful friendship with occasional letters. Let me remind you again about the Privateers, so named for their mischievous nature in high school where we had all attended classes together. As our story continues they all room together at the university in nearby Paramount City. Even though they are roommates, Janet informally dates all three.1. Ronald Webb, son of the owner of the county's principal law firm. Ron describes himself as a born lawyer. He is the one person Janet's age who matches her intellectual ability. Tall, handsome, and well funded, he is to Janet a special most trusted friend.2. Donald Vald, son of the owner of the county's major car dealership. He is his father's presumed successor. An artistic person pressured into business school, he finds Janet a special understanding friend. After learning to dance together in high school, they have a close older sister/younger brother relationship. 3. Tom Hankins, son of the owner of the Berkinsville Bank. Tom arrogantly lives in a world of his own imagining, believing Janet will marry him when he graduates. He survives his other bad ideas only with unwanted guidance from Ronald, Donald, and Janet. During those years and throughout our lives, Janet Berkins continued to be my friend like a sister. I am delighted to tell you her remarkable story and some of my own. This story is presented as fiction. Even so, rest assured, everyone in this story is just as real as I am. -- Diane

I remember this time so clearly. Janet suddenly felt the responsibility for others fall on her shoulders. And these others were families; husbands, wives, children. People she considered more experienced than her in living life. Suddenly she had a lot more respect for the responsibility her parents had been carrying through the years as she was growing up. I believe when her father asked if she was sure she wanted to play the game, he understood that she was taking on far more than she understood. And now it is GAME ON!

As the story of Janet ended in the last book, I described her as a genus learning to spread her wings. And this was only the beginning. She was determined to gain her father's respect or give up working in the corporate office. John was pretty much in the dark about what she was about. Molly had given her room to secretly work on the BETS project only taking responsibility for authorizing the company time. And now it was going to come to a head. And of course, there were the little things. Dating the Privateers while NOT going steady with John. And there was that picture Janet had sent to Steve. Probably the best help I ever gave to her -- and Steve! Hang on to your hat! This is where you will learn about the steel in the Berkins's name. -- Diane

In Book 2 Janet said "goodbye" to Steve. Steve left her with important guidance concerning her goals in life. To bring things to a head with winning her father's respect, she needed to take on a problem at the mill and solve it. If that didn't win her what she wanted with her father, she could then move on to find other ways to fulfill her life. Thus began the idea of the BETS project. Again, I have only one fear in telling you this story, that someone might take examples from our lives and try to apply them to solving their own problems. An old television saying comes to mind: DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME. These were remarkable people in very special circumstances. By reading our story you will understand how I came to know such rich detail, the very essence of their thoughts and feelings far beyond my living it with them. No one could ever have more loyal and wonderful friends. Remember the Privateers, so named for their mischievous nature in high school where we all attended classes together. They all room together at the university in nearby Paramount City. Ronald Webb, son of the owner of the county's principal law firm. Ron describes himself as a born lawyer. He is the one person Janet's age who matches her intellectual ability. Tall, handsome, and well funded, he is to Janet a special most trusted friend. Donald Vald, son of the owner of the county's major car dealership. He is his father's presumed successor. An artistic person pressured into business school, he finds Janet a special understanding friend. After learning to dance together in high school, they have a close older sister/younger brother relationship. Tom Hankins, son of the owner of the Berkinsville Bank. Tom arrogantly lives in a world of his own imagining, believing Janet will marry him when he graduates. He survives his other bad ideas only with unwanted guidance from Ronald, Donald, and Janet. One of the most important people in Janet's life is Ward Handleman, her Uncle, and a supervisor at the mill. In this book, you will learn about Ward and why Janet loves him as she said, "... more than my father." This story is presented as fiction. Read to the end of the 16 book series and you will understand why it had to be told as fiction. Even so, rest assured. Everyone in this story is as real as I am. -- Diane.

Now that John is seeking help with his fears, things are returning to the status quo. Janet's focus turns to the decisions and changes that are always considered at the formal mill end-of-year meeting. Specifically, John's possible promotion to Supervisor. Becoming a Supervisor would bring John to the point of being more assertive concerning their relationship. Thus making the Steve letters of much more serious concern. All this adds to the excitement of the Christmas season.

Now that Janet and John are engaged it's time to focus our story of the beautiful model and the handsome soldier. But we'll keep up on the dynamic duo also. With Ward's nightly tutoring, the pressure of weekly challenge tests, and their duties at the mill, there isn't much time to generate drama. The real fun with Diane and Steve is the ever present personality of Janet living in both their heads. Both want her to go away but pervasive memories that strong are impossible to erase. And she's still around!

Here is where Janet prepares to deal with her problem. The story will tell it all. -- Diane

Now it's time to execute the plan and deal with the unexpected. -- Diane

Back to Florida. Back to work. -- DianeWith stars in her eyes! -- Annie

So this is Annie again. As I said in the last book, Diane thought it best she delegate the writing of Prologues and Epilogues to me. I am Annie, granddaughter to Janet and John. Remember, Diane is writing these books after the year 2000, over 30 years after the events she is describing. I'm assisting Diane at her request. Up to now, she has been ok handling descriptions of herself back when she was a beautiful model. And she has been ok writing about her secret crush on Steve. However, when she got to writing about the letter from Steve at the end of the last book, she turned to me and said, "I can write the story, but I can't step aside and comment on it." I watched her try. And I agree. She answers my questions about it with great emotion.So we begin 1967 with Janet now the Office Manager and John the Supervisor of Engineering. Janet's dream of eventually taking over management of the mill with John seems to be on track. Now they have to show they have the talent and drive to do it. John has become an official suitor. Ward has set them on the fast track to college degrees. Steve is due to return soon freeing Janet of her complications. George and Molly are more at ease now that Janet and John are so busy there is less energy for inappropriate advances in their romance. And Diane has resumed her modeling career in Miami. -- Annie

Well, you know how Book 13 ended. That question hanging in the air! This book starts the next morning, April 12th. Steve has to report back to the Army base in Georgia April 27th. That leaves Steve about 2 weeks in Berkinsville. Listening while Diane describes this time, you can just sense the tension that existed back then. Tension and excitement! Sort things out and build a foundation for their relationship, that was their goal. And they had found the perfect place to hang out, the Berkinsville glider airport restaurant. One of Diane's goals was to acquaint Steve with her desire to do what is now called Hospice Care. Back then it was called Palliative Care. And that is what gives us the title to this book: Dr Wells.. There are surprises, and missteps, before we get to that. Diane still has to perfect her art of dating!

At this point in the story, Diane thought it best she delegate the writing of Prologues and Epilogues to me. I am Annie, granddaughter to Janet and John. Remember, Diane is writing these books after the year 2000, over 30 years after the events she is describing. I am assisting Diane at her request.The other thing you need to know about me is I inherited Molly's special sensitivity. Think of it as the 'family curse' if you like. I don't know what it's like to be 'normal' so I don't think in those terms. I have adjusted to being different and just try to deal with it in a kind and helpful way. I get a little support from Catherine from time to time. If that makes you smile it's ok.So why does Diane want me to take over writing the 'Prologue,' and 'Epilogue'? Up to now, she has been ok handling descriptions of herself back when she was a beautiful model. And she has been ok writing about her secret crush on Steve. However, when she got to writing about the letter from Steve at the end of this book, she turned to me and said, "I can write the story, but I can't step aside and comment on it." I watched her try. And I agree. She answers my questions about it with great emotion. So, up to now, I have been helping with the mechanics of creating the manuscripts. And, with my special sensitivity, I have more and more been holding her accountable when she has tried to avoid fully describing how people related to her back then. At the beginning, she said you would know the full story. I'm here to assure that she keeps that promise. Especially where her part is concerned. Especially where Steve is concerned! -- Annie

As we ended Book 4, Janet had at last challenged her father and won his respect. Ward was enjoying the success of his pupil. Janet was afraid for Steve and fearful of being found out. John was dealing with his deep suppressed feelings from Atlanta. Both John and Janet were aware, curious, and respectful of the others' privacy. John was winning the respect of the men at the mill. And Janet was determined not to let his interest in her wander. Sad for me, the lonely onlooker. But I had my modeling career and my aloofness to protect me. Christmas was upon us! And now there are 13 days left in Janet's vacation campaign. In addition to watching Janet and John, my life entered a new phase. Starting with a surprise at the Christmas Eve church service. And then I learned that being an observer with one toe in the water, you can suddenly find yourself at the deep end of the pool! I'm about to meet Joanie Logan, the person who will become a friend who will teach me so much, and the friend I have never forgotten. -- Diane.

As Book 5 ended: Oh my! That spot on the back of Janet's neck! What a shock for her to realize he had that power over her! It was an important attitude adjustment for my friend and it showed! John has been cautioned that Janet's NOT going steady held serious implications. He knew he could not have serious long-term thoughts about her unless and until he made supervisor. And yet, she was engaging him into a relationship beyond all expectations. And her parents were accepting it. For John, it was a scary road to an uncertain future. But a road so wonderful he was risking its eventual destination. The key to everything was to make the recruitment and training program work. Janet had said, "Make it work, and there will be no restricting complications by Christmas break next year." That was the road he was determined to follow. Even though he was traveling it with a girl filled with restricting complications. And I had had my own attitude adjustment. Life was taking a more meaningful turn. Joanie Logan was becoming the friend who would teach me so much, and the friend I would never forget. Christmas holds spiritual magic. But it is always followed by a new year. -- Diane Williams Doyle

Well, here we are at the conclusion. I promised you the whole story of Janet's and my romances. You can't imagine what it has taken to write it. If you want to know about our lives after this story ends, please read the extensive epilogue at Diane's website. Annie has been essential to completing it, as I have recently been feeling my age. You've suffered through the difficult parts. Now I hope you will enjoy the rewards Janet and I achieved. Thank you for the honor you have shown me by reading so much. Diane Williams Doyle