Grateful

Ten years ago today, my mother and I had the good fortune to hear a special song, performed a capella at the Thanksgiving dinner table by our dear friend Anne Runolfsson. That song was John Bucchino’s “Grateful,” and we were so moved by it that we ended up collaborating with John, and the gifted artist Anna-Liisa Hakkarainen, to turn it into a picture book.

That song continues to bless our lives, especially at this time of year, and always invites me to “remember how I’m blessed.”

I have so very much to be grateful for, but here’s just a partial list… heartfelt, albeit not nearly as poetically expressed as John’s lyrics:

• My terrific family, including my divine husband, beautiful children, and beloved parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws
• The health and energy that enables me to live fully and maintain a lively schedule of activities, both professional and personal
• Work that feels like play 99% of the time
• Our hilarious dog, Louie, who brings such humor and pleasure to our lives, closes doors and drawers when we forget to, and has introduced us to so many new friends
• Our home, which though not nearly as tidy or organized as I’d like, is a vibrant reflection of our busy, creative lives
• Living in a coastal village that is picturesque, full of history, eccentric and enchanting all at the same time
• The families who read and enjoy the books we write
• The technology that makes my work faster, easier and more enjoyable (especially all things Apple!)
• The creative colleagues whom I am so fortunate to work alongside, at Stony Brook Southampton, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and elsewhere
• My fellow authors, whom I admire and learn from every day, including the members of the Childrens Book Hub community
• Good friends who bring warmth, laughter and insight into our lives and days
• All the many, many Hamilton family ‘team members’ who make a daily contribution to our lives in countless ways – from the teachers, associates and assistants to the caregivers, therapists and myriad other comrades and providers who sustain our family’s continued growth and well-being
• The continued capacity for love, imagination, laughter, perspective, open-mindedness and wonder

Happy Thanksgiving!