With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’ve been taking the time to reflect.  This past year has been rough all over due to the economy. With the automotive industry tanking my father who’s been a mechanic for over thirty years lost his job in January due to downsizing, and he’s still looking for work.  Even I’ve lost a job I thought I’d have until I retired.  Despite this I’m still realizing there is so much to be thankful for.

Instead of my stressful and physical overnight job in retail, Ive now returned to school and last quarter I made the President’s List for my college. That was quite the honor.  I’ve had several books accepted by my publishing company, and while that enough for me to do a jig around the living room, the thing I’ve been most thankful this year is my family and friends. No matter how much money I have or don’t have, nothing can replace or come close to the value I find in them.

I’ve got to say, I have a wonderful support system.  One of the best things I have going for me in fact. I have a supportive husband who doesn’t get jealous of the amount of time I spent hunched over my computer, whether it’s for school or for exorcising the characters from my head.   Not every man would be as supportive of my dreams as he is. Combined with his mother who has always been willing to step forward and help coordinate my  hectic schedule of picking up kids, dropping them off and getting to class on time myself.  These two people do more for me than I could ever repay them for and I know I don’t say thank you enough. My life would fall to pieces without them.

Of course there are my three wonderful children. At times I joke that I’d love to duct tape them to ceiling but what parent hasn’t thought that at times?  I love them all and despite all the ruckus they make around my house, it wouldn’t feel like home without them. They are my greatest inspiration and most the time have me shaking my head in wonder at the crazy schemes they’re gonna  come up with next.

This post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the wonderful friends I’ve made as a writer.  Whether it’s Jen Campbell,  Vivian Vincent or Ashely Blade, my fellow authors are always supportive and are there for me to bounce ideas off of and I try to do the same for them.   Of course I can’t forget my editor, Gloria.  She not only talks to me about my writing and straighten out  my manuscripts, she even talks to me on the phone on my way home from taking my hubby to work, so I don’t fall asleep behind the wheel at eleven o’clock at night. (God, I love the invention of blue tooth technology. )

Now that you know what I am thankful for, I’m off to the store to buy my Thanksgiving trimmings. Ive got to make green bean casserole, scalloped corn and pumpkin pie for Thursday.  God I love this holiday!

I’d love to hear what everyone else is thankful for.

Dakota