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November 11, 2014

Giving Thanks


As you all know, Thanksgiving is the one day of the year dedicated to giving thanks. I don't know about you, but I consider myself especially blessed. Life has been good to me lately.

First, there is my family. Both kids and their spouses are healthy and doing well and have jobs they like. With the exception of an occasional cold and/or ear infection, all four grandkids are doing well, also. Hubby is retired but still consulting in the job he loves…one that takes him out of the house two days a week, for which I am especially grateful.

And me – – well, life is just good. I worried that my editor would hate my first book (the one she bought on proposal.) Turns out she loved it. Then I worried I would get bad reviews. Turns out I did get a few, but most of them were really good. The good news is that the bad ones didn't bother me as much as I thought they would. I've come to the realization that not everyone will like me and my writing. I'm okay with that – – at least for today.

But what I'm really grateful for is that I'm doing exactly what I love to do…and getting paid for it. How many people can say that about their job?



Recently, I've had another reason to give thanks. We've been trying to sell our 5000 sq. ft. home for almost two years. We loved it, but it was just too big and it was time for us to downsize. On September 10th, a couple walked in with cash in hand with the stipulation that we get out in 9 days. We didn't even have a house waiting and immediately scheduled visits to several houses in a retirement community with our real estate agent. Long story short, we bought a house in one day, packed up and moved out in 6 days, closed on the other house a week later and are still trying to find things that were just thrown into boxes to make that deadline. My life has been on hold--no writing, no socializing--well, you get the point.

Today, I watched as the Salvation Army truck loaded up a lot of the handmade furniture that I have cherieshed for so many years. It was impossible to keep the tears out of my eyes. We are in a house less than half the size of our other one, so it only stands to reason that I would have to let things go--which I have never been good at. I was raised one of nine kids, and my mother never threw anything out. I followed suit. It wasn't a problem in the much bigger house with tons of storage, but here, it had to go.

Today, hubby and I went to the grandkids' school for a program to honor the veterans. Still a little saddened from that morning and the SA pickup, I was humbled to see and hear all the vets talking about serving in the wars for our freedom. Hubby served in the Viet Nam War and received the Distinguished Flying Cross when his airplane was shot down on the day they signed the peace treaty. It put giving away my furniture in perspective, and I realized I should be grateful that we sold the house, found one we love so quickly, and are healthy enough to complain about all the work we're having to do to get it into shape.

So, I decided to dedicate this post to counting your blessings as well as to all the soldiers out there, past and present, who have sacrificed so much to make our country free. I'd love to hear what you all are grateful for. One lucky commenter will receive one of my books, past, present, or future. (US/Canada only for print. Anywhere for download.)

And a happy and blessed Thanksgiving month to all of you.

www.lizlipperman.com
National bestselling author of the THE CLUELESS COOK MYSTERIES Berkley Prime Crime
CHICKEN CACCIA-KILLER Available now
SHATTERED (a Romantic Thriller) Story Vault March, 2013
JAILHOUSE GLOCK (A Dead Sister Talking Mystery) Midnight Ink May, 2014
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE Romantic Short Story from Amazon StoryFront May 2014

31 comments:

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Liz! I'm so excited about Thanksgiving this year as my son is smoking a turkey for us. And there will be many friends and family at my house.

I would have had a hard time seeing treasures leave. Someone else will love them too.

Several years ago, my cousin's husband was killed by an IED in Iraq. I can remember how kind he was to my aunt and good to his wife and kids. God bless all our soldiers.

Unknown said...

Both my father and step-father served in the Navy in WWII and my grandfather served during WWI in the Army. I salute all the veterans and their service

lhill82125 said...

I am thankful every morning that God has given me another day to spend on this wonderful earth to be with my family and friends. I know there seems times when life hands us baskets full of rotten lemons and you think "what did I do to deserve this" all you have to do is just look around and you find you have so very much to be thankful for. Thanks to all the men & women including my grandson who serve every single day to keep us safe. Thanks Liz!!

chris keniston said...

I promised my husband when we bought this house twenty years ago they could carry me out of it toes up ! LOL

But like you I am very thankful for all we have and I am especially thankful for all the men and women who are willing to give so much so I can enjoy whatever things I have.

Enjoy your new home!

Sylvia said...

I am grateful that I'm doing a job that I love where I can stay home and write full-time. Some days the words come easier than others, but I'm doing what I love. Thank you.

I'm also grateful to our soldiers and what they endure each and every day for us. My father served in the Korean war and then the National Guard for many years. Thank you.

Phyllis said...

Hi Liz,
I am thankful that I'm still alive to be thankful! I've been Blessed to be apart of medical trials that have extended my life and I start a new drug that is promising next week.

I am thankful that I have the Princesses, friends and family who have been so supportive.

And I'm thankful that I got a book contract this past year for my first book.

Life is good.

Phyllis said...

It's not often that I see a military person in uniform in my everyday routine, but yesterday I had the chance. I walked up to a young man in an army uniform at a restaurant table. I offered my hand and said thank you. Being the gentlemen, he quickly stood and accept my hand. He thanked me for the support. My simple thank you seems so inadequate compared to the sacrifices these men and women make.

My father served in the army, stationed in Korea. My grandfather was with the Coast Guard. I wanted to join the Navy, but since the Vietnam war was going on, I abided by my family's wishes and did not join. There are times I really wish I had and wonder where my life's journey would have taken me.

Cathy McElhaney said...

I am thankful that my husband and I are healthy and financially secure enough to take on our 4 beautiful, intelligent & healthy grand kids! The reason they are in our care is the cause of all my stress, but to have these kids anywhere else would be unacceptable to me!
My dad was a tank commander during the Korean war and my brother was in the Air Force during the Viet Nam war. My best friends husband was in the Army infantry in Viet Nam and he suffers from PTSD. I am thankful to all of them...and every other man and woman who has ever served in the Armed Forces!

Unknown said...

Hi Liz, I'm very grateful for the small and big blessings in my life. MY daughter will be 3 in December and I never thought we'd be lucky enough to have a child, let alone enjoy all of her discoveries. For added stress, we each got a new job in Ohio back in April. I had to give 1 weeks notice, pack a 3 bedroom house, find somewhere to live, and get moved with under a week to do it all. I feel your deadline of moving. On a side note,I have had several friends and family serve in the military and am very thankful for their service. Along with all of the other men and women who have served. I'm glad you get to share your dream with us and can't wait to get more books from you.

Kathy Ivan said...

Great Post, Liz! I'm grateful for so many things the list is unending. For all the wonderful friends I've made while on this bumpy but worthwhile journey of writing. Lifelong friendships that I cherish. I'm grateful to have a job in today's economy, even if I'd rather have that time to spent writing and telling stories.

I'm especially grateful to our military, who day in and day out, willingly give of themselves so that we can enjoy the freedoms our nation fought for. And a special thank you to Tim (whom I've know since the day he was born), who spends most of the year away from his family, working with our military overseas in hotspots where safety is a priority and danger is around every corner. He's the kennel master for our military K-9's, training our 4-legged soldiers that do the bomb sniffing and other life-saving jobs. May God keep him and all our servicemen safe.

Jean said...

I am thankful for books. They give me the escape that I need. Days are rough and the thing I treasure most are when I can escape somewhere else for a while.

Angela Adams said...

Saluting our veterans for their service!

Karilyn Bentley said...

Hi Liz,
So glad to see that you were able to sell your house! I know you're happy! I'm thankful for all the friends I've made on this writing journey. I couldn't do it without you!

And a special thanks to our veterans for their service. God bless you!

Liz Lipperman said...

Vicki, I am so sorry about your cousin's husband. The members of the armed forces give up so much, and some, like your cousin, make the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us. Hope he is smiling at this post from heaven.

And I love smoked turkey.Enjoy

Liz Lipperman said...

I salute them with you, Kaye. And say thanks of both your father and step-father. Good seeing you here, BTW.

Liz Lipperman said...

Lynn, well said. It sometimes is hard to smell the roses when you are making your way through the thorns. (I just made that up, and I'm liking it!!)

Thanks to your grandson for his service.

Liz Lipperman said...

Chris, I said the same thing two houses ago!!

Have a great Thanksgiving with all your company.

Liz Lipperman said...

I agree, Sylvia. A lot of people hate going to work, while we get to do it in our PJs with our pets at our ankles.

Special thanks to your father.

Liz Lipperman said...

Wow, Phyllis!! You do have a lot to be thankful for. And I, for one, am grateful that your drugs seem to be working since I so love being around you and your smiling face.

Congrats on the book deal, BTW.

Liz Lipperman said...

Phyllis, your second post reminded me of one night in Olive Garden when I was there with my kids and grandkids. There were two soldiers in the next booth, and my hubby decided he was going to pay for their dinner. He was surprised to find out that someone else had already paid!!

What a nice gesture to shake his hand.It let him know that you appreciate all that he's given up to protect all of us.

Liz Lipperman said...

Cathy, God love you. Taking on 4 kids after you've already raised your own is nothing to sneeze at. There is a special place in heaven for both you and your husband. How lucky for those kids that you stepped up to the plate. Here's hoping the stress gets less and less every day.

And kudos to all the men in your life who have served their country.

Liz Lipperman said...

Ah, Karla, your post made me smile. Love that God blessed you with a beautiful baby girl when you least expected it. Each day with her is a treasure.

And sending smooches for the comment about my books.

Liz Lipperman said...

Kathy, I know what you mean about having met so many wonderful friends along the publishing journey. I count you as one I'm grateful for meeting.

As for your friend, I will include him in my nightly prayers. It can't hurt to have protection from all over for him.

Liz Lipperman said...

Jean, you are talking to an author who loves that you list books and reading as something you're grateful for. Yes, they do take away the stress, if only for a while.

Sending hugs for when it comes back.

Liz Lipperman said...

Angela, I join you in your salute. Thanks for the comment.

Liz Lipperman said...

Karilyn, I agree about the friends. I count you and all the Princesses among my truest friends.

And yes, selling the house was a relief to me since I knew we had to downsize.

Unknown said...

Lovely post, Liz.

Thanks for this little help to count my blessings.

Cheers, EE

Kelly L Lee said...

Letting go is hard, but things are just things...the real treasures in life are the ones you hug. I hope the new chapter in your life brings simplification and new joys!

Liz Lipperman said...

Elizabeth, I'll bet you have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Liz Lipperman said...

Kelly,you are so right. Today is a new day, and I'm not even thinking about the "things" I had to say goodbye to. Puts it into perspective.

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