Reflections of Gratitude

As we all prepare to sit down to a feast we will never be able to devour in one sitting with the people who matter the most to us, I thought it would be appropraite to reflect on the things for which I am the most grateful.

I am grateful for my two daughters, who fill my life with joy, chaos, drama, challenges and pride. Without them, I am just a shell. They are my reason for being, my purpose in life, and the reason I get out of bed in the morning. They are my brightest accomplishments, the true legacy I leave to the world.

I am grateful to my mother, who is one of the most amazing women I have ever had the honor and pleasure to know. My mother taught me everything I know. She taught me how to knit and crochet, how to sew, how to tell a story. But most of all, she taught me how to be a mother and she continues to do so every day, by example. I am in awe of her strength, her wisdom, and her tolerance for the children – and grandchildren – who continue to challenge her patience. She is my foundation, the woman who keeps me grounded.

I am grateful for my siblings, who each inhabit a special place in my heart. I cannot imagine a life without them, even though I am still learning to live without one of them. I still miss you, baby brother, and I think of you often.

I am grateful to all of the families who won’t be celebrating this day with their whole families because their sons and daughters are in Iraq and Afghanistan defending us from terrorism. Thank you is not an adequate expression for how I feel about your sacrifice. To those soldiers, stay safe. I hope you all come home soon. You are our national treasure.

I am grateful for all of the friends I’ve made on my journey to being published. I will cherish them forever.

I am grateful for the gift of life that allows me to sit here this morning and list just some of the things that I am grateful for. It is so short and so fleeting. So, please, as you sit down with your loved ones today, make the most of it. For when you build a memory, it is not just your memory – it belongs to everyone who sits down with you. So don’t just give thanks today; give a memory that your loved ones will cherish forever.

Thank you for indulging me in my reflections of gratitude. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your loved ones.

Margay Leah Justice

Another Taste of Dante and Peter

Dante flicked a negligent glance over a shoulder at his rival’s approach, pushed himself away from the tree to stand beside it, feet braced apart in a defensive pose. He didn’t speak until they stood shoulder to shoulder under the tree. “Well, fancy meeting you here.”
“What are you doing here, Dante?” Peter demanded, his tone barely tolerant. “I thought I warned you to stay away from her.”
“Oh, yes, you did,” Dante answered, a smile in his tone as well as on his lips. “But of course that only made me want her more.” He made a show of sniffing the air about
them, which was suddenly alive with charged particles. “I just love the smell of human despair,” he stated with unholy relish. “It does wonders for the soul.”
“She’s not meant for you, Dante,” Peter said, his voice so soft it was nearly lost in the howl of the rising wind.
“She’s meant for another.”
“Oh, please, stop,” Dante mocked him. “You’re just making me want her more.”
“Take your pleasure elsewhere, Dante. Leave this one alone.”
“O-o-oh.” Dante gave a mock shudder. “Is that a warning?” He feigned a tremble of fear. “Whatever shall I do?”
“For once in your damned existence,” Peter advised, “heed it.”
“And if I don’t?” Dante asked, unnerved by Peter’s smug smile despite his bold words.
“Then everything you do to her will come back on you,” he predicted, “tenfold.” Peter didn’t wait for a response as he backed away from the suddenly menacing tree, retreating to the safety of the opposite side of the street.
“Oh, is that so?” Dante tossed back at him in his customary show of bravura. “We’ll just see about that!”
But, as he returned his attention back to the garage apartment, where a single light shown from within its dim interior, illuminating the activities of its ethereal occupant, he found himself in the unusual—and untenable—position of uncertainty regarding his own success.

From Nora’s Soul, by Margay Leah Justice

Available now at Amazon.com

Guest Blogging at Crave More Romance

I am guest blogging at Crave More Romance today about angels and what drove me to write Nora’s Soul. Stop by and check it out, if you have a chance.

http://cravemoreromance.blogspot.com/

Guest Blogging at Novel Thoughts and a Contest

I’m doing a guest blog at Novel Thoughts today. Stop by and comment for a chance to win a copy of Nora’s Soul.

http://novelthoughts.wordpress.com/

MJ Rose at Bitten by Books

The fabulous MJ Rose is at Bitten by Books http://bittenbybooks.com today. Whether you’re a reader or a writer, do yourself a favor and read her interview. She always has a lot of insightful things to say about this crazy writing world of ours.

Book Update

Nora;s Soul is now available on Amazon! You can check it out here:

http://www.amazon.com/Noras-Soul-Margay-Justice/dp/1935171216/ref=gfix-ews-form

Guest blog on Romance Junkies

I am a guest blogger at Romance Junkies today. I’d love for you to stop by and leave a comment.

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/?p=3

Does Everyone Know What Time It Is?

That’s right – NaNo time!

For anyone who hasn’t been struck by this particular bug, NaNo is that time of year when otherwise sane, coherent people chuck it all in favor of becoming word-crazed, quantity-producing, illiterate literates. So isn’t it rather appropriate that the madness begins the day after another type of madness – Halloween? Yes, while you are still on the artificial sugar adrenaline rush that is the hallowed tradition of trick or treating, why not pump up the rush by frocing yourself to commit x-number of words to paper for the next thirty days or so? Just add a little caffeine and raid your kids’ bags for a little chocolate boost on occasion and you’re good to go. What have you got to lose besides a little inhibition?

This is your chance to free yourself from that infernal internal editor who won’t let you put anything to paper unless it’s perfectly worded. Check your editor, your fears and your inhibitions at the door. Allow yourself to write drivel, just continue to write through it because on the other side of drivel is that nugget of gold you’ve been digging for all along. It’s just buried deep in your psyche and your internal editor, while seeking perfection, is keeping you from finding it. Perfection can come later, after all of the words are written. Then you can dig out that nugget, brush off the drivel, and polish the gold.

And don’t forget to have fun! After all, writing is an adventure.