In the early morning hours before the sun peaks over the horizon, I sit sipping my coffee and pondering the many things I am thankful for. Even (or especially) during these chaotic times, I find there are many. 

As a new author, I’m so very thankful for the support of all of you as I navigated and learned the process of writing, illustrating, and publishing my first book. 

I am thankful for the advances in technology that allow us to connect from all corners of the earth during these strange times when many employers have directed employees to work from home. This same technology allows us to connect to friends and family, often bringing us closer than we’ve ever been.  

I’ve especially enjoyed collaborating via video-conferencing with my daughters and bringing to life several children’s books, including Katie Dooley’s “Just Believe.” And there is no doubt we would be lost without the editing, web development, and social media marketing that my daughter Heidi does for our team.

Eliminating a daily two-hour commute has allowed more time for me to focus on things that were often delegated to the back-burner and were never re-prioritized. It has allowed for time to pause and rekindle my love of the arts, cultivating them, and developing creative outlets that help deal with the stress and uncertainty of these unusual months of our lives. I have had time to assess my habits and build new, healthier eating, exercising, and sleeping patterns.

I am grateful for the health of family, friends, and colleagues. And I am thankful every day for the many wonderful people that I am blessed to share these strange, unforgettable moments with. Moments that will forever be remembered as life-changing in so many ways. Thank you all for your support. May you have an amazing and safe Thanksgiving holiday, wherever you are in this wonderful world. - Jacqueline