So Much To Be Thankful For...

Each day, there are challenges and mountains to climb and work to struggle through, even if the work is what you dreamed you'd one day be doing. Or is it just me??? I doubt it--we all find ourselves "struggling" through even our happily ever afters some days. Sometimes that can be the hardest, because we're supposed to be thrilled by all the good stuff, right?

But work is work, and the more you dream, the more work there is to climb to that next peak. Except, I've found a secret I wanted to share.

When I get down about my thirteen-year-old (yep, he's a teenager now) heading to college for three weeks this summer (yep, he's taken his ACTs and tested into a Duke program for gifted kids...oh, and into college itself, if he wanted to apply now ;o), I remember to be thankful that he's in love with learning and feels confident enough in himself to want to go away and explore on his own a bit.

And when travelling and new deadlines and all that stuff makes my current exhaustion after finishing Dark Legacy seem like a dress rehersal, I remember to be thankful that I have an amazing new suspense series to promote and fans already emailing me for more information and a jewelry artist so inspired that she created a whole new like just with Dark Legacy in mind, and the opportunity to write two more books this year alone.

And when one of my old man kitties gets sick (he's seventeen and his current ailment is minor, but when you're seventeen and a cat nothing's minor), and he's still suffering even though he's supposed to be better, I hold him as much as I can and then console myself in giving my other three extra attention, too, (yes, do the math, I'm the crazy writer cat lady with four cats), and remember how lucky I am to have all that unconditional love in my life.

I guess what I'm saying, before I get back to sharing all things Dark Legacy and Dream Flutters (Marci's named our new jewelry line, from which I'll be giving away pieces every month out here, in addition to Dark Legacy ARCS and other promo goodies like T-shirts, from now through the fall), whether things are going well or not so well in your world, it's all work and that's just the way it goes--but I wish for you a daily dream and a daily reminder of all the "thankful" stuff in your life, too. All the things that make the work and the dreams worthwhile.

And never forget--I'm thankful for all of you ;o)

And while we're on this "positive speak" rant ;o) I know everyone's seen this by now, but watch Susan Boyle again. It's the best 6 minutes I've spent in a long time. Well, since watching my teenager relish the ice cream I bought him the other day, after he'd asked me to play tennis with him and enjoyed every bit of our together time. That was a dream come true, too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

And, BTW, everyone's reaction to her--the way she made them shiver and smile and cheer and dream along with her--that's my dream every time I launch a new book. That's what I want for all of you, every time you read something with my name on it!