The 2014 holiday season is upon us with cold snaps and ginger snaps crossing the country.
While seasonal businesses are hanging up their stockings for the year, it’s just another day in the workshop for us writers. As usual, we’re hunched over our keyboards and steaming mugs of Joe, pecking out powerful prose, picturing our readers poking warm fires, likewise with warm mugs nearby—with tiny marshmallows—preparing to read our work.
Writers—by nature, we’re an opinionated, reflective bunch. Sometimes a bit quirky. So we thought it might be fun and interesting to ask a bunch of writers about what they’re thankful for over the holidays and see what they say …
Here is a sampling of the responses we got when we asked writers to answer the following question in fewer than 100 words: “What are you thankful for over the holidays?”
Meghan Hill, a professional writer in Walla Walla, WA, wrote:
Family, friends, the ability to write and all the reasons and inspirations to keep writing.
Jae Walton, blogger in Richmond, VA, wrote:
I’m thankful for my health, my friends and family, and my sanity.
Rachel Kennedy, senior information developer in Denver, CO, wrote:
Simple: Vacation.
C.J. Murray, writer and retired teacher in Pensacola, FL, wrote:
I’m thankful for my daughter, my family and my pets.
Arie Wilson-Passwaters, writer and editor in Houston, TX, wrote:
I’m thankful for every breath I get to take and every step I get to make in this crazy, jacked-up world, because I’m on this journey with my wonderful husband and amazing daughter. Those two always keep life interesting and fun, and on the occasions darkness clouds my view, they make life worth living.
Nico Isaac, freelance commercial writer in Atlanta, GA, wrote:
Sweatpants, second cousins, political rants, sweet rolls by the dozen
Tupperware, leaf showers, bourbon-baked pears, mashed potato towers
Hot cocoa, functioning fire places, family gone loco, corn mazes
Curling up, winding down, adopted pups, Charlie Brown
Down covers, snow days, stuff that lovers do, maple glaze
Candle lighting, clean slates, reindeer sightings, clean plates
Folklore, board games, knocks at door, new names
to remember, to forget, faces rendered, places set
Poppycock
Hanukkah Harry
Stocking stuffers
Caroling
Blinking lights, hope, old fights, reopened
Forgiveness
if only, for a while
while the old movie plays on.
Alan Braun, author in Pekin, IL, wrote:
I’m thankful to be healed of mental illness and periodontal issues by Jesus Christ.
Barbara Rivera Holmes, writer and VP in Albany, GA, wrote:
Every word is a pearl, right? So, in short, I’m thankful for my world—my family, my peace, my freedom, my work, my people. And I’m thankful to all who work everyday to make my world and the whole world a better place to be. Sappy and cliché, no? Oh well. It’s true. (I’m also thankful for the Gypsy Kings, really good olive oil, homemade fresh goat cheese and anchovy-stuffed olives. Just putting that out there.)
Jaime Grimes, content strategist in Atlanta, GA, wrote:
I’m thankful to have a job (as a writer) that allows me to work from home a few times a week. It’s critical for sanity during the holiday season—and sometimes it’s just too cozy inside to venture out in traffic.
Gary Grimes, marketing communications manager in Atlanta, GA, wrote:
I’m thankful for my family, my health, having a better writer in the house who likes to talk writer stuff with me, my company being cool with my working from home full-time, my growing side-projects, and last but not least—OK, maybe least when stacked against the rest—the 11 windows in my home-office that make working from home a pleasure every day.
Elsbeth Russell, senior editor and content strategist in Gainesville, FL, wrote:
I’m thankful for all the reasons I have to be joyful in life. My faith, which sustains me. My husband, who loves me no matter what. My children, who delight and challenge me. My home, where I can safely rest and recharge. My family, that is always there for me. My friends, who allow me to be me. There’s so much to be thankful for.
Carol Ekster, children’s author and retired educator in Andover, MA, wrote:
I am thankful that though I am now a retired teacher (after 35 years of teaching 4th grade!), I can continue to touch families and children through my books. And my newest picture book, Before I Sleep: I Say Thank You, Pauline Books & Media, January 2015, encourages families to start their own routine of saying things they’re grateful for, which I believe can make the world a sweeter place to live in.
Aaron Bensonhaver, senior program manager in Ocala, FL, wrote:
Aside from family and friends? Spatulas. They rule. Can’t cook without them.
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Photo by Pictures by Ann
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