On This day of Thanks

On this day of Thanks, I would like to offer up a brief view of my past year, and what I am thankful for.

It's been a very long year for me. And it's not even over yet. But a lot has happened.

At the end of May, my husband and I moved out of our lovely apartment into a new, smaller apartment. The location is further from both of our jobs, and has a lot of interesting logistical problems, but it's a roof over our heads.

Things with my day job have been less than stellar on many levels, but I have survived and still am surviving. And even though I would love to get more than the couple hours of sleep I seem to average every night, my head's still above the water.

The only a few days before our first wedding anniversary, my grandpa on my dad's side, the one I grew up with, passed away. Due to logistics of timing and my husband's work, we were unable to make it to the funeral. Even now, it is surreal. And I have not yet been able to go back west and visit. But I am thankful that he passed away peacefully, without pain.

This fall, despite many rejections, I decided to put my authorial foot out there and published my first novel. And though it hasn't done what many would consider well, I consider it a success. As one of my friends and coworkers would say, "three years ago, you set this goal. And now you have finally done it. I"m so proud of you." I am thankful for the support of friends and family who helped me get to this point.

A big thank you to my mom, who has been one of the best editors I have ever had. Thank you to my hubby and lifelong friend for encouraging and believing in me. (And for helping me keep a good perspective, and patience! during the whole process.) Thank you to all my friends, new and old, who have helped me refine my writing, and who encourage me to "keep on trucking" no matter what. And thanks be to my God, who has blessed me beyond what I probably deserve.