‘Tis the season to reflect on the past year and look forward to the next one with renewed hope and energy (although, I’m not sure how much energy I have left after a year with active, young children).
We can all certainly find something to complain about: the bills, the household chores that never seem to end, the lack of sleep . . . the latter being on the top of my list. We can certainly look at the year almost gone by and think: “I could have done better.” I know there are things I would certainly change, had I a time machine to send me back (note to self-don’t you dare buy the size 6 pair of jeans. You won’t lose twenty pounds in a week to squeeze into them. They will just hang in your closet, taunting you!)
But during this special time in December, when every home seems to be alive with lights, cheer and warm fires, when there’s an extra spring in everyone’s step, I want to focus on the positive, the good in my life.
I’ve been blessed in many, many ways. I have an incredible family and a circle of friends that have my back (and would bring wine) whenever I need them (the wine is very important).
I am in good health and chalk up the wrinkles that have mysteriously popped up around my eyes to time spent laughing and enjoying myself. (I will stand by that adage no matter what anyone says: Age is, but a number, after all!)
And most of all, I am doing the one thing I love to do! I’ve been given the opportunity to make people laugh-hopefully, belly-laugh-and to forget, if only for a few hours, their own reality by escaping into a story, no matter how fantastical it might be.
I have been very fortunate to create characters that I love; characters that do outrageous things and help tell stories that make people feel good about finding love, about finding humor, about living life to the fullest.
And for that, I’m so incredibly grateful to all book readers out there in the world. Many of you have emailed me. You left ratings/reviews, liked my Facebook page, telling me how much you’ve enjoyed my books. I can’t begin to tell you how much that meant to me. You are the best thing that has happened this year. You are the reason why I continue to write and churn out more books —so we can laugh together and add a few more wrinkles around those eyes!
So, thank you! You’ve given me the best holiday present a girl can ask for (well, that and I could do with a Coach bag . . . possibly a pair of lovely diamond earrings . . . oh, and definitely those shoes I saw in the window display last night!)
Happy Holidays!
Erin