Thankful . . .

Everyone keeps asking me what I’m thankful for . . . and believe me, I’m thankful for A LOT. I’m thankful for my family, my readers and their support, for words even when they don’t want to come (like this whole week), my health, for this book community, etcetera, but if I really look to pinpoint one thing I’m thankful for, it all comes back to two people. Without them, I wouldn’t have any of this…. so let me explain…

I’m thankful for my parents. They were two young kids who started dating at the age of 13 and 18 (*side eyes to my dad*). They were neighbors living a few houses apart and their brothers were best friends. They met. They dated. People said they’d never last when they got married after my mom graduated high school. That they were young and didn’t know better. But 49 years later, they are still together, married for 43 of those years. And sickeningly happy at that.

So why am I thankful for my parents (besides the obvious that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them)?  Because they taught me the following:

• They taught me that hard work pays off. You may have a leg up, be the low man on the totem pole, or not have an inkling what you are doing, but if you work hard and are dedicated, good things happen. Sure you may get overlooked now and again, but in the end, you’ll be noticed. You’re hard work will pay off.

• They taught me that a positive attitude is something you can’t quantify, but that it matters. A whole helluva lot.

• They taught me that if I want something, I need to go after it. That just because I’m a *girl* doesn’t mean I can’t do it. Or win it. Or achieve it.

• They taught me to get dirty. To put my toes in the mud, to slide into home plate, and to get grass stains on my tights . . . and that good things happen when you’re not afraid to break a nail.

• They taught me to dance in the rain. (Driven readers will understand that one)

• They taught me that having class, couth, and grace are way more important sometimes than being on top. With these three things, you can hold your head high even if you didn’t win, because you didn’t stoop to a lower level.

• They taught me respect. To have it for others and to demand it for myself. And that all relationships stem from this one, simple exchange. Without respect your word means nothing.

• They taught me to make my own mistakes. And I know sometimes they wanted to swoop in, swat me on my backside, and tell me what I needed to do instead (*ahem* attend Yale when I opted to stay home instead for a boy) because they knew they’d instilled the right values in me to look back later and realize that my mistakes were HUGE. But because they let me make them, I learned more from them because if it.

• They taught me how to be a good parent (which I often feel like I fail at daily). To be patient and know that each of my kids need to have the space to be themselves regardless of what I think they should be.

• They taught me to imagine. To think outside the box. To use my creativity when I felt stifled instead of become frustrated.

• They taught me to love. To love people regardless of skin color, sexual preference, chocolate preference (because let’s face it, the people who love white chocolate are rare), or any other difference that is out there.

• They taught me that your attitude when you lose tells more about your character than your attitude when you win. Lose with class. Win with humility.

• They taught me to be humble. To never take anything for granted. To always be grateful. No one likes a spoiled brat.

• They taught me to be self sufficient. To be able to care of myself and know that I can, and therefore I can take care of others.

• They taught me hugs don’t always fix everything, but they sure as hell make you feel better in the moment.

I could go on and on… but my point being is they are the reason I can do what I do. Without their push to color outside the lines, I never would have had the courage to write a book let alone publish it. Without their love I wouldn’t have had the confidence to face the world and show them I have this creative side that had been hidden behind the very structured and modest person I am. Without their encouragement, I would have never ‘just jumped’ . . . so this Thanksgiving, I’m especially thankful for my parents and the unfathomable ways they have shaped me throughout my life…Is that corny?  Possibly. Is it true?  Most definitely.

And of course, I’m thankful for you. For taking this journey with me. For letting me fill your imagination with a world that exists on my pages. For your support.

I hope you have a GREAT THANKSGIVING with you and yours. What are you most thankful for?

Kristy