Gratitude

I had a friend who started a habit of posting one statement of gratitude each day. She always found something she was grateful for. I thought that was a terrific idea and tried to follow it, but I didn’t do so well. Some days I forgot, and some days the only things I could come up with were pretty trite. I mean, how many days can I tell you that I’m grateful for my kids, my grandkids, my dog?

But tonight, my heart is full of gratitude. First, for all of you who rejoiced with me on the news of my new book contracts. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that friends share your joy and are happy for you. Some of the messages I got praised my record as an author and said this was due recognition. Made my heart sing.

Today with a great feeling of happiness, I went to the post office and slipped that fat envelope of contracts into the remote slot. Pray God it doesn’t get lost in the mail.

I am also grateful for generous neighbors, who have been gifting me with food. One was leaving on vacation and brought me a bounty of strawberries (with real home-made whipping cream—what a treat!), blueberries, and half a cantaloupe. I’m always a bit wary of cantaloupe—it’s either sweet and good or tasteless, but this was just right. When Jamie was here, I told him I had whipped cream, knowing he loves it. He replied, “Naw, I like the kind in the squirt can.” What am I to do with a grown child like that?

Another neighbor sent a message that she had made too much cucumber soup for the two of them and did I like it? I love it and answered accordingly, although I declined the shrimp she said she served on it. Being allergic to shrimp is a real pain. But I had delicious bowls of cold cucumber soup two days for lunch and loved it. One day I had the soup, a deviled egg, and strawberries and cream. What better summer meal could one ask for?

Also I am grateful to whatever writing gods here may be. I have been stuck at a certain point in the manuscript I am working on. There was a thought there, a connection, that just wasn’t coming clear to me, and the result was a mild form of writer’s block. So today, I skipped the place where that elusive thought should go and went on with the part of the story I knew should come next. So it was a really productive day—I sent a summer newsletter to my webmaster and I wrote almost  thousand words.

Finally, I got drafts of the cover for So Far from Paradise. I really like the basic idea, but it needs a bit of tweaking. I’ll share when it’s in final form.

So to all of you who have brightened my days, a deep and grateful thank you.