The Source of All Things: A Memoir

TracyRossneverknewherbiologicalfather,whodiedafterabrainaneurysmwhenshewasstillaninfant.SowhenhermothermarriedDonnie,agregariousnewmanwithaloveofhiking,fishing,andcamping,four-year-oldTracywasecstatictohaveafatherfigureinherlife.DonniewaseverythingTracydreamedadadwouldbe—protective,brave,andkind.Butwhenhisdependenceonhercompanionshipwenttoofar,everythingchanged.Tracy’schildhoodtransformedovernightoncetheabusebegan,becomingaconfusingblendofnormallittle-girlmomentsandthesickening,secretinvasionofhersafety.Atsixteen,realizingthatshemusttakecontrolofherownfuture,Tracylefthomeandbeganthelong,slowprocessofrecovery.Overthenexttwentyyears,themountainsandriversofNorthAmericaprovidedTracywithstrength,confidence,comfort,andinspiration.FromtrekkingthroughtheglaciersofAlaskatoguidingteenagersthroughthedesertsofUtah,Tracypushedherselftothephysicallimitonherwaytobecomingwholeagain.TheSourceofAllThingsisastunning,unforgettablestoryaboutawoundeddaughter,herstepfather,andamistakethathastakenthirtyyearsandthousandsofmilesofrawwildernesstoreconcile.OnlyTracycanknowifDonnieisforgivable.Butonethingisforcertain.Innootherstoryofabusedoesasurvivorhavesomuchstrength,compassion,bravery,andspiritasTracydisplaysinTheSourceofAllThings.