The Holidays Bring Gratitude, and this post was brought to you by the Letter G

So some, who follow me in various other social media channels, are aware that I am currently in Canada recovering from an eye surgery. Nothing that couldn't be fixed but something that has necessitated a need to stay "grounded" for 8-10 weeks. No flying. This meant that my very patient Dave returned to Barbados after my surgery and I have been not so patiently waiting my own chance to return.

But being "grounded" in an aviation sense has also left me with time to ponder and become "grounded" in other ways.

Nothing "grounds" a person so much as gratitude.

I have become extremely grateful for family!

My sister-in-law Cheryl and brother David hosted us for an extended visit at the beginning of our travels in September due to a nasty cold. They kept us fed, warm, and entertained. Also their support in being the shipping terminus for stock of my author copies of books has been immeasurable! They rival my own very patient Dave in their quiet support!

My sister Andrea and her husband Paul have been keeping me housed during my surgical recovery at their home. Paul and I have been busy playing with dolls...all right, action figures...while preparing for various Christmas festivities such as the Gingerbread Zoom I mentioned in my last post. All will be revealed in coming days as the Zoom is tomorrow! Paul has also chauffeured me around to my various appointments and errands. Andrea and I have spent hours reminiscing, took a small road trip, and I hope I've lightened her load by being available to help with meals being ready when she arrives home from work...

I have become extremely grateful for friends and colleagues!

Sandra in Barbados is keeping Dave busy and pestering him. Tito has been helping keep Dave and our company on track. Various others have helped in numerous ways with moral support--especially my writing friends and Hollis--and then there's Deanna!

Deanna deserves her own fanfare! A former work colleague and long term friend, we gathered for lunch this week. Said lunch made it into a Facebook post on her page about a "Meet the Author" lunch, complete with photos of my books and sales material. It's already generated more traffic to my site than I have had before! So grateful!

While talking to other friends about their various struggles, I have become grateful for little things.

I am grateful for good health and a strong family support system. I am grateful for my wonderful sons who inspire devilish children's books even though they are in their 30s now. I am grateful for cold feet in Canada that remind me how fortunate I am to spend time in Barbados. I am grateful for a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and time to enjoy both and share them with others.

I am grateful to have been able to create and share with you all the four--no, make that five--published books that I have been involved in this year. Writing for adults was a challenge but Hollis helped me pull it together! Writing for children is still my favourite. 

Also, VERY grateful for my eyesight! Something we all take for granted but I have a renewed respect for! How could I illustrate without it? How could I see the wonderful bugs, snails, frogs, monkeys, tropical fish, and bizarrely behaved birds who make it into my stories? 

Best of all, I am grateful that it sounds like I will make it back to Barbados before Christmas to spend the holidays with Dave and our good friends there. I will be missing so many people from Canada while there, but then, they know they are always welcome.

Gratitude. Grounded. Good grief. 

Today's blog has been brought to you by the letter G...

Photo below is me with my sister Andrea on our brief road trip to Victoria BC.
​