Words of Thanks

No, this week is not Thanksgiving, so please don't think you're a week behind!

BUT, since this is my Tuesday of the month to post and Thanksgiving is next week I thought I might make use of it.

At the risk of not being politically correct, I'd like to offer up some thanks for the year that's past and hope for the year ahead.

While we sit down to our tables laden with goodies (and calories) it's a good time to reflect on what we've done and we hope to do in the future. So in honor of the day and the spirit in which the original pilgrims gave thanks for their plentyful harvest, I offer up a few things I'm thankful for this year.

Health. Something heathly people take for granted, but when illness strikes a family, it touches everyone. As the Mom of an autistic 18 yr. old son, I can tell you any illness - physical, emotional or mental - takes a toll on a family and their everyday life.

Family. Sometimes this isn't obvious and I think we all tend to take those around us for granted. I'm guilty to paying more attention to my writing life than my personal life too much of the time. I focus on plots and characters, sometimes missing the characters running through my real life and for those people I need to stop and take a deep breath, give thanks and show how much they mean to me.

Friends. Similar to above. How many people haven't I called back while on a deadline? How many dinners or lunches or shopping trips have I postponed? I'm the first one to chant to my kids "to have a friend, you have to be a friend" - this year I'm not only giving thanks for the friends I have, but adding a promise to spend more time reconnecting with them!

Writing. Over the last few years I've devoted more and more time to my writing. I love it. I'd been a closet writer for years and can't remember a day I didn't have characters and storylines running through my head. Finally getting them on paper has been an experience I give thanks for everyday. It's my sanity in an insane world. I create happy endings - could anyone ask for a more satisifying job than that? (Now only if I could actually start paying a bill or two with this "job" my husband would be thrilled!)

And last but not least, I want to thank the paranormal community at large. Readers, writers and believers who enjoy that little bit of magic we call fun paranormal romance!

This is just a small list of what I'm thankful for this year. I know not everyone will be sitting down to a table as full as in the past or maybe loved ones have lost jobs or face an uphill road battling an illness. I hope everyone has a glimmer of light somewhere on that table, someone's hand to hold and a smile to share.

Happy Thanksgiving.