For Bryan who loves lighthouses Special thanks to Jim Karen Vera Jacqueline and the Michigan City Historical Society Aimée For my mother Jeanne C Ryan the strongest woman I know Thank you for always reminding me I can do this Eileen
Harriet Colfax stood before the Michigan City Lighthouse bag in hand The wind blew in off the lake It wrapped her long skirt and petticoats around her legs The cream-colored lighthouse was three years old Bricklayers had built the construction date 1858 right into the wall Harriet had watched them build the lighthouse Now here she stood a few years later with all of her belongings
