Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
Here in Canada we
celebrate Thanksgiving the second Monday in October, but I’ll gladly use any
excuse to talk about the things I’m thankful for. This is a bit long, but I have a lot to be thankful for!
*I’m thankful for…my
brother, Jamie
Normally I’d lump
my family all together and say I’m grateful for all of them (which I am, my
family is my life), but today Jamie gets his own special mention. Why? Because
it’s his birthday! My big bro turns 40 today. We’ve always been very close. I
always joke that he claimed me in the womb and has been my guardian angel ever
since. He really wanted a baby sister; how many ten-year-old boys actually want
a baby sister? One of my favourite stories that my mum likes to tell is this:
the day I was born was the last day of school before the Christmas holidays. My
parents went to the hospital, I was born early in the afternoon, and a couple
hours later, my mum got a phone call from Jamie’s school. They were holding the
bus because he refused to get on until he could tell all his friends he had a
baby sister. I often wonder what would have happened if I’d been a boy lol.
When I was a toddler, his school was attached to my preschool and he used to
bring his friends over at lunch time to show me off. I was only ten when our
dad died, and we became even closer after that. We’ve always had this unspoken
bond - we can have an entire conversation without saying a word. He’s also
brought me a sister-in-law, two nephews, and a niece that I love to death.
Jamie and me over the years |
*I’m thankful
for…the rest of my family
So I mentioned
Jamie, my sister-in-law, nephews and niece. They and my mum are pretty much my
whole life. My mum and I weren’t all that close when I was little (I was a
total daddy’s girl), but we grew closer the older I got and now we’re best
friends. We have so much fun together - she’s the kindest, most loving,
generous person I know, and I don’t know what I’d do without her. Also, being an aunt is the greatest privilege and pleasure of my life, and I love my little people so much it feels like my heart could burst.
Logan (3), Noah (11), and Maddison (5 months) |
*I’m thankful for…the
blogging community
I started Ramblings
of a Daydreamer three years ago last month. It’s been one hell of a ride. It
hasn’t always been easy - I’ve gone through reading and blogging slumps, times
when I wondered why I kept going, and times when it seemed like my head would
explode if I had to write one more blog post on top of everything else I had
going on in my life. But overall it’s brought me a lot of joy. It’s made me a
more critical reader, it’s made me a better writer, and I’ve made some
fantastic friends. I get to talk about books - my favourite subject - with
people from all over the world who I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Plus a lot of my friendships have gone beyond just books, which is pretty special. Speaking of which...
*I’m thankful
for…Molli and Jessica
I could have lumped
these girls in with the blogging community but I thought they deserved a nod of
their own. I met Molli (from Books and Whimsy) and Jessica (from Thoughts at One in the Morning) early on in my blogging days, and it was the friendship
equivalent of love at first sight. Molli is my brain twin, and Jess is my
kindred spirit. I talk to these girls every day and tell them everything. They
know more about what’s going on in my life than any of my ‘real life’ friends
do. When something exciting or sad or maddening happens, they’re the ones I
turn to. I know I can rant, be silly, ridiculous, nerdy, and just ME, and they'll love me no matter what. They’ve also been huge supporters of my writing from the very beginning,
and I’ve gotten to be part of their budding writing careers, which is both
exciting and humbling. Even though I’ve never met either of them in person, I consider
both of them part of my family and I love them dearly.
*I’m thankful
for…being mobile
I hurt my back
really badly early this year and could hardly walk for several months. I was
pretty much housebound, and even after all these months, I’m still recovering
in some ways. I’m so thankful I’m able to get around and that I’m finally
mostly pain free. *knocks on wood* It's something I'll never take for granted again.
*I’m thankful
for…getting to live my dream
My lifelong dream
has been to become a published author and that happened almost two years ago.
I’ve published four books since January 2012, and even though it hasn’t always
been easy, I’m living my dream - how many people can say that? I know I’m
incredibly blessed to love my job and to be doing something I’m passionate about.
This one’s pretty
obvious. Reading is my escape, it’s what keeps me sane and happy. Books are
also the reason I get to be part of this incredible community.
*I’m thankful
for…authors
I’m so thankful for
the authors who tell the stories in their hearts, bravely send them out into
the world to be adored or hated, and who live this crazy, lonely life. They
entertain us, they break out hearts and put them back together again, and they
make the world a better place.
*I’m thankful
for…publishers
Does this surprise
you since I’m a self-published author? I have nothing but love and respect for
publishers. They’ve brought me almost all my favourite books. Plus, it’s really
fun to get to work with them as a book blogger. I’m especially grateful for
Simon & Schuster Canada and HarperTeen who have been incredibly good to me
this year. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to work with them.
*I’m thankful for…my
library
I’ve struggled a
lot financially over the last few years, so the library has been a godsend.
I’ve always used the library but I’ve used it so much more since I started blogging. Not only do they have a phenomenal selection of books (especially
considering the size of my city), but I also love to go there and hang out. I
usually go at least once a week to sit in my favourite comfy chair by the
floor-to-ceiling windows and read. I’ve also started getting ebooks from the
library which is super handy!
What are you thankful for?
Also, happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!
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*super enormous tackles you giant hug* LOVE YOU. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, thoughtful list! :)
ReplyDeleteMy TTT.
That's certainly a lot to be thankful for :) I'm glad we're taking the time to think about these things.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Marie. :) Even though its not thanksgiving here it was still fun to write one of these and read what others have had to say. :)
ReplyDeleteFrom one Canadian to another, I loved your post today. I, too had back issues that left me housebound and in agony. Surgery was lifesaving for me on more than one level. I'm thrilled to be pain free. I'm starting over and it's a great feeling. You will continue to recover. Good luck.
ReplyDelete-Wendy
I am thankful for you too, brain twin. EVERY DAY. And so thankful for your books. <3
ReplyDelete