Readers seem to want to know more about the person inside the author. So I asked my fellow authors about Gratitude. Do you keep a jar? Do you keep a journal? Could you share just one day’s entry with us?

Kathryn Jane

I make a gratitude post on Facebook every evening. Here’s one from last week.

Gratitude – for the ocean being a part of my life every day, for a new home to keep us warm, dry and healthy, for family, and for Bear purring in my lap as I write this post.

Jacquie Biggar

I’m grateful for the gift of living close enough to my grandson  to pick him up from school and learn about his day as we head to hockey practice. I’m grateful that technology has given him the opportunity to thrive with type 1 Diabetes, and I’m grateful that we live close enough to be an integral part of his life.

Sam Bradley w/a McKenna Sinclair

Gratitude for the opportunity to be closer to family and have a place to spread my wings in beautiful Colorado.

Gratitude for moving from an overabundant work schedule to time for reading, crafts and, most importantly, writing.

Gratitude for getting back to the parts of me I haven’t experienced for a long time.

Jo-Ann Carson

Gratitude. . .  for the taste of snowflakes falling softly on my tongue in the pre-dawn light, for the sound of wintering ducks swimming in the river and the heron who stands as a sentinel in my little patch of wilderness (written on a cold January morning)

Melissa Keir

M: I am grateful for rain rather than snow.

Sarah Andre

I’m grateful for my little hooligans, Taz (l) and Bo (r) –my life is so much more full because of their cuddles, kisses, and mischievous ways.

Jacqui Nelson

I’m grateful for family and friends, those who live nearby (close enough to visit) and those who live farther away (far enough to also be grateful for today’s technology that helps us stay connected); for no one ever telling me (in regards to careers or hobbies) “you can’t do that”; for every day getting the chance to embrace my New Year’s resolution to be more positive; for finally finding the perfect gratitude/happiness jar (in an hourglass shape) for recording my journey.

Sharon Wray

Every morning, while I make breakfast for my kids, I am grateful. Grateful because I prayed for 13 years to have children and when I got pregnant, I found out I was having twins. I’m grateful for the past 16 years of laughter and tears and hugs. I’m grateful for my beautiful family. No matter what else I accomplish in my life, nothing will bring the joy they brought with them when they came into my life.

Veronica Forand

Gratitude for the wisdom and confidence I’ve gained over the years. I’m finally brave enough to live my dream and in doing so, I’ve met the most wonderful friends and have never felt more at peace with who I am. Part of me wishes that I’d had the guts to set forth in this direction a long, long time ago, but I hadn’t been ready. I have more patience now for the long road ahead of me and I’m able to withstand the critics and the naysayers. And my life experiences both the good and the bad fill my head with the rainbow of emotion felt by my characters.

Diana Belchase

Gratitude for Family members (including Charley, The Dog) who love me, for work that fulfills,

Gratitude for each time I step in the classroom and the opportunity I have to make a small impact on my students’ lives; for chocolate, music, wine, and laughter that smooth out even the most challenging days; for my wonderful writing friends who inspire me every day and push me to be a better writer; and lastly for my family who laugh at my bad jokes, don’t think I’m crazy when I talk to them about the characters in my head, and most importantly, provide their continuous love and support during each new adventure.