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Thanksgiving is a mere few days away (how did that happen?) and yet I find myself suffering from melancholy this year. I fear many of us are in the same proverbial boat, trying to shake off the last few weeks/months and get our sh… STUFF (and stuffing) together.
So I’m determined to focus on what I’m thankful for this year:
An extended family that still includes me and my husband in holiday plans. We’ll be having Thanksgiving dinner at my brother and sister-in-law’s home along with their four kids, those kids’ spouses, children, children’s spouses and kids. You get the idea. It’s going to be a lot of people in not a lot of space. But there will be plenty of food and laughs. I’m also thankful we all like each other!
Our house that’s mortgage-free. We may not have a lot, but it’s all ours.
A career I love even when I have a deadline looming. Like now. The next book is due to my editor on December 1. But I’m thankful that I have an editor and a contract and an agent. I’m grateful that I get to write books for a living. (Okay, not a very good living, but see the previous paragraph).
Kensi Kitty, despite her heart issues,
is still with us a year and a half after her diagnosis and is still being a
loveable brat.
A husband who can tell when I’m overworked and drags me away from my office for a day out AKA Mental Health Day. Last weekend, we drove a couple hours to a “lake” that is so low right now that it’s back to being a river. The old bridge from the old town, which was flooded when the Army Corp of Engineers built the dam back in the early 1940s, is fully visible once again.
Had my life gone another way, I might have been an archeologist, so this sort of thing fascinates me.
It’s even making me think I need to have an archeologist character in a future book.
And I’m thankful for my fellow Writers Who Kill as well as my entire writing community. It’s a wonderful group to be a part of.
You know, when I stop to think of all that I have in my life, the melancholy does drop away. For which I’m grateful.
Do you have a person or a group in your world that you’re thankful for? Give them a shout out.
Wonderful article! So much to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yes, there is.
DeleteInteresting photos from the dam. It’s always interesting to see what’s below the surface. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Grace.
DeleteA welcome reminder. Count my blessings, and remember that things are never perfect. Change will come. I live better than 99% of the humans who have ever existed. Certainly far better than my Irish potato famine emigree forebears, not that long ago in the scape of history.
ReplyDeleteA touch of perspective is helpful when looking for things to be thankful for.
DeleteI remember when an earlier drought lowered levels in a New York State reservoir near where I lived at the time. The first thing to appear was a church steeple. As the water continued to drop, more and more buildings of the drowned town reappeared. My thanks goes to those who have befriended me.
ReplyDeleteI wish they hadn't razed all the buildings in this town. Glad they left the bridge.
DeleteSometimes they moved at least some of the buildings
DeleteThere's a lot to be thankful for and you are one of my reasons, Annette. Love you my friend.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Liz! Right back at you!
DeleteWriters! Thanks for all the splendid books!
ReplyDelete-- Storyteller Mary
Thank you, Mary. Let me add readers and reviewers to my gratitude list.
DeleteAlways fascinates me to see things that have been covered - pentimento moments. And to answer your question- family and friends. Happy thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving and big hugs, Debra.
DeleteWonderful post, Annette, and the perfect antidote to this month and year – special shout-out to Kensi for her continued good health. As for me, in addition to this blog family, I have a tight cadre of friends acquired over my lifetime. They know where the bodies are buried and sometimes helped with the internments. These friendships are priceless and soothing.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are, Kait.
DeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Annette. It's a good time to assess, isn't it? Family, friends, and work we love - we're rich!
ReplyDeleteYes, we are, Molly.
DeleteAnnette, You're right—we have so much to be thankful for. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marilyn. You too!
DeleteThanks, Annette.
Delete