“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” ~Cynthia Ozick
Today, the key word seems to be gratitude, gratitude for all the good things that are, that were, or will be. I’m sure every day we can find something to be grateful for, but do we always take the time to be aware of the good things in our lives? I hope so..
A lovely thank you card from the Homeschoolers group I read to last Friday arrived in the mail today. What a lovely added bonus to my day! It made me smile.
Today I’m over at Reading Recommendation. If you haven’t checked out Susan Toy’s site before you might want to give it a try. Hey, and you’ll even see yours truly. Find out how we connected years ago without my even knowing. Cool!
Earlier this week I had coffee with Jan Coates. We had some catching up to do as it had been awhile since we’d chatted. Jan’s new picture book “The King of Keji” is scheduled for release this spring. It’s in the spring Nimbus catalogue already! You can check it out HERE.I know some of you from Facebook have already seen it.
I also want to mention that Family Literacy Day is on January 27th. For those of you who need a gentle reminder:
Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and held annually on January 27 to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.
I don’t have to mention how important literacy is to us all, especially to the new generation growing up.
Lastly, since I began this post with gratitude, I want to give a shout out to those of you who follow my blog. I appreciate you signing up! I wrote a blog post back in December about Supporting Your Author Friend and things went a little crazy here for a day or so. So, thank you! Also, a big thank you to those of you who recently joined my Facebook page. Well, not just those who recently joined. Whether you joined in the beginning or just recently, I appreciate all of you. Oh, you know what I mean! Saying thank you is something that often gets overlooked and something we kind of take for granted. I don’t want to take any of you for granted. I happen to think thank you are two words that should be said every day. Gratitude should not only thought about but expressed.
So, since I’m ending on a note of gratitude for all the wonderful things in my life, maybe you’d like to share something that you’re grateful for with the rest of us.
Laura Best 
Let's CUT the Crap!
/ January 23, 2015All good reminders, Laura. Thank you.
I’m grateful my back is back to normal. Pulled a muscle and couldn’t stand long or sit, for over a month. Blessed relief. ❤
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Laura Best
/ January 23, 2015Having had back trouble many years ago I can feel your pain. Glad you’re feeling better now. 🙂
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Let's CUT the Crap!
/ January 23, 2015Yes. Oh yes! 🙂
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Ev Bishop
/ January 23, 2015I was just thinking about all the things I’m grateful for this morning as I drove a young friend to school. Timely post!
I’m grateful for many, many things–including the joy, comfort, fun and free therapy that writing provides me, my ability to read and the seemingly endless number books to feed my soul, increase my knowledge, give comfort (yep, there’s that word again :), to just name a few things stories do, and people who take time out of their busy lives to help or encourage others–kind of like you do on this blog, Laura. Thank you!
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Laura Best
/ January 23, 2015Nice to know that you have plenty to feel grateful for! Most of us do it we take time to acknowledge it. 🙂
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Darlene
/ January 23, 2015An attitude of gratitude is so important. I am grateful we were in the same anthology all those years ago!
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Laura Best
/ January 23, 2015I agree, Darlene. How strange is this world we live in where we are only a few key strokes and an anthology away from finding one another. 🙂
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Crowing Crone
/ January 23, 2015I am thankful for all the authors I have discovered this past year and how they, each, have enriched my life. Self-published authors, authors picked up by small publishing house. I am thrilled that we live at a time when I can be exposed to so many. So a big thank you to all of you. Muchos gracias.
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Laura Best
/ January 23, 2015I love that you’re thankful for authors, Joss. I think I speak for all authors when I say that without readers there would be no purpose in writing. And the fact that there are people out there willing to read what we’ve written, well that’s about the coolest thing ever. Being able to share our words with others is something to be extremely grateful for whether we write books, poetry or blog posts. 🙂
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macjam47
/ January 24, 2015I am thankful for all of the authors and bloggers I’ve met through social media, books, and book events, and at Starbucks. I am also thankful that my neck injury is healing so I can resume reading.
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Laura Best
/ January 26, 2015Those are all good things to be grateful for. Not being able to read must have been very trying, especially for an avid reader. Glad you’re healing out!
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Heather Wright
/ January 24, 2015I am thankful for a wonderful family who support this writer in so many ways. I’m thankful for my writerly friends, both new and not so, who speak the same language and prefer to talk over food. I love having a lunch or a coffee get-together to look forward to along with the deadlines.
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Laura Best
/ January 26, 2015Family support is so important to a writer. So is the support from other who understand what we’re all about!
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Lynn
/ January 24, 2015I am grateful for so much, Laura. I’m learning to call myself a writer because of the writers I am in contact with and from whom I learn and am encouraged. My family and friends are dear to me, and most recently my heart is rejoicing because our daughter who lives in Alberta is moving home next month! To say I am excited is a slight understatement. 🙂 I’m grateful she landed a good job to come home to, and that we were able to find her an apartment minutes away from it.
There’s really so very much for which to be grateful. 🙂
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Laura Best
/ January 26, 2015How wonderful that your daughter is moving home! You must be thrilled. Will they be coming back to the Valley? She’s so fortunate to have your help getting settled. 🙂
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Lynn
/ January 26, 2015Yes, thrilled is a good word. 🙂 And yes, they will be living in Kingston – “they” being our daughter and her two cats. It should be an interesting, if not challenging, trip home.
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cluculzwriter
/ January 25, 2015I’ve feeling the gratitude these days, marvelling in all the things I feel blessed about. I’m grateful to you too, Laura, for all your support. Your kind words have brought me many a bright spotlight moment. One day we’ll have coffee in person, I’m sure.
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Laura Best
/ January 26, 2015Would live to have coffee with you one day. I’ll put that on my list of intentions… There…it’s sealed. 😀
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janlcoates
/ January 26, 2015Speaking of Literacy Day, January 27th, looks like it’ll be snowed out. I’m scheduled to go to Dr. Arthur Hines School in Hants County, and we’ve already re-booked for Thursday. I’m grateful every time somebody reads one of my books, especially if they tell me about their experience. And I so appreciate true, honest friendships – like ours:)
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Laura Best
/ January 26, 2015Rescheduling is probably a wise thing. Sounds as though it’s going to get nasty out there although not nearly what they’re predicting for Mass.
I agree that there’s nothing better than having someone read one of our books. As for friendship I value ours immensely. 🙂 Stay warm and safe tomorrow…
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