I am Thankful for . . .

Ah, Thanksgiving! For many of us, it means a gigantic meal of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and whatever other trimmings your family puts on the table. And yes, family and friends. With any luck, we'll get to spend the day with our families, enjoying each other's company, swapping stories, eating too much, and then peacefully kicking back and relaxing.

For me, although this week seems hectic, with shopping and cleaning and preparing for the big day, it also makes me pause and reflect on things for which I'm truly thankful.

Here are a few of them:

I am thankful for a loving and supportive family. Although some of us are far apart, my family members are close in spirit, and we try to stay active in each other's lives. We almost always end each conversation with "I love you."

I am thankful to have enough to eat. I realize how lucky I am to be able to push away from the table, saying "enough" when there are many people in this world not so fortunate.

I am thankful I have a roof over my head, and a warm house to live in.

I am thankful for my animals, which bring joy and laughter into my life.

I am thankful for my health, which I sometimes take for granted.

I am thankful for my smarts and my education, which allows me not only to write, but also to read well.

I am thankful for time to dream, time to write, and time to relax.

I am thankful I don't have any plans to go to Black Friday Sales.

I am thankful to get to know you, my readers, and connect with you through my books.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Stay safe, and I hope that however you celebrate the holiday, it's a good one for you.
Gobble, Gobble!