Giving Thanks

Today is Thanksgiving here in America, where we stuff ourselves full of turkey and mashed potatoes. It is also a day of giving thanks. In a year, so much can happen. But on this one day we slow down, spend some time with those we love, and reflect on everything we have to be thankful for.
So often as the days, weeks, months go by, we lose sight of what is important in life. It's not just the big things, but many times it's the little things that brighten your day. Family, friends, a full belly, a roof over your head, a kind word, a hug, a random text that makes you smile, kindness from a stranger. Give thanks for the little things as well as the big today, whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not.
I am thankful for all of you out there reading this. You took time out of your busy life to stop for a moment. So, I'll keep this short!
A year ago around this time, I had finished writing Bloody Beginnings and was working on fine-tuning the cover and figuring out the self-publishing world. Alone. I didn't tell anyone what I was doing, because fear kept me quiet. It took me until January to get the courage to push that "publish" button, and I am so thankful I did. It's been almost a year, and it's been an amazing journey so far. So Thank YOU! Thank you to my family and friends. Thank you to the people who support me on this crazy journey. Thank you to that first Amazon review- I don't know you, but you made a huge impact on my life with your few kind words. Thank you to the new friends I've made! Thank you to my readers! You encourage me to continue. Any time I get frustrated because my proof copy isn't coming out right, or editing is getting me down, or I really want to write the ending of the book, but I'm only on page 10, YOU are there for me. You may not realize it, but every time something has gotten me down, one of you has been there. That first review. A random message. Running into a fan who is anxiously awaiting the next book. Hearing from an excited reader who marathon-read my book in three hours. Thank you for urging me to continue.
I couldn't have done any of this without you!
Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.