My Mission Statement

I write to serve, to unite, to educate. I write to share literature and flesh out ideas that may be of interest to others. I write to document an emotion, experience, or a blip in time. My mission is to write in such a way that the reader is reminded that we can find humor in all situations. It's one of the great blessings of life.


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

I'm BAAAAACK

Oh, my dear faithful readers. I know you thought I'd fallen off the planet, but I'm finally back and what a whirlwind it has been. First of all, I'll spare you the details of the DENTAL CONFERENCE. So you can be grateful for THAT this Grateful Wed. I'm going to share the details of my NY trip through Grateful Wed for starters. How does that sound?

On this Grateful Wed, I am SO grateful for a number of things.
1. That I actually made it to New York and then back. After endless delays on both ends of the trip, it's a miracle I made it at all.
2. I am grateful for the opportunity to go on such an amazing journey to the home of Patti Gauch with dear friends from Chautauqua.
3. I am grateful for the chance to talk books for three days and selfishly grateful to talk about and receive feedback for my own work.
4. I am grateful for the work and light of Patti Gauch, who has truly contributed amazing things in this field already and has many more to come.
5. I am grateful for the chance to see the genius of Patti Gauch up close. To see how she works through a plot line, a character arc, a tangle of subplots. I can imagine it was a bit like the people who watched Houdini escape from a chained box or something. She always gets us out into the light. Always.
6. I am grateful for the darling owners of The Journey Inn in Hyde Park, NY who were the most gracious hostesses I could ever imagine.
7. I am grateful for my friend, Miriam, who waited HOURS for me in the airport, so we could share a rental car (and lots of laughter) on the trip to Hyde Park.
8. I am grateful for my friend, Maureen, who planned this whole darn thing with the stamp of her own endearing spirit. Amazingly executed, Maureen.
9. I am grateful for my friend, Sara, who I was SO thrilled to see. The yodeling pickle was truly a gift I won't soon forget, and the story about your husband, Ebony of Wherever, was the most hilarious thing I've heard in ages. I'm still chuckling.
10. I'm grateful for two brilliant and talented new friends, Sally and Sue. I'm sure I could learn a lot from you both.
11. I am grateful for the Culinary Institute of America and the opportunity to reflect on the food and people I take for granted, like the man who brought Creme Brulee to America.
12. I am grateful to be a part of such a noble field. I am honored to be acquainted with these women who are committed and passionate about creating for children.
13. I am grateful for the thoughts and prayers of my supportive friends and family who e-mailed and called during my trip. Thank you so much.
14. I am grateful for Mrs. Dori, the backbone of our family, who came through when I had not one but two sick children while I was in NY. You are my angel, for sure.
15. I am grateful that I know what I'm supposed to be doing in this world, that I've found my contribution, and I pray that my work will somehow bless others.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone. xoxox Share your gratefulness, too. xoxox

1 comment:

Steph B. said...

I am grateful also for so many things...
1. To have friends all over the place that I can keep in touch with via FB...including DJK.
2. I know I'm late in writing this, but I am grateful that I "won" the anagram contest. My husband was impressed.
3. I'm grateful to be celebrating my birthday today and to have so many folks wish me well.
4. I'm grateful that doctors know what they are doing and that often these medical things are just for a season.
5. I'm grateful that God is sovereign and in control.
6. I'm grateful that my sweet husband it taking me to the beach for the weekend. I am in need of some beach therapy.
Thanks for letting me share!


Isabel by Donna Jones Koppelman

Isabel by Donna Jones Koppelman

Major Bear at the Grove Park Inn by Donna Jones Koppelman

Major Bear at the Grove Park Inn by Donna Jones Koppelman