Thanksgiving has never been my favorite holiday. Actually, it’s a sad fact that if I had ever taken the time to make a list of my favorite holidays, it would more than likely have fallen somewhere toward the bottom of it, a bit below Memorial Day, but above Labor and Arbor Days.

I mean, let’s face it. Thanksgiving doesn’t have the flash and fun of Christmas. There are no colored lights to string or gifts given or received. It doesn’t have the high sugar quotient of Valentine’s Day or Easter or Halloween, and Halloween has the added bonus of being able to dress up in costume. (Although there was that one notable year my Uncle Ralph rented a turkey costume and…er, maybe I won’t get into that.) Even the 4th of July has the warmth of Summer going for it, while Thanksgiving falls right in the midst of some of the coldest, bleakest days of November. And while I’ve always appreciated the good food, once it has been eaten you have the clean-up to face. Oh, and let’s not forget the excitement of watching the males of the household sack out in the living room to take control of the television remote with one hand tucked in their waistbands, Al Bundy-style.

But lately I’ve had a little more time to reflect on things, and I have come to the conclusion that I have given Thanksgiving way too little credit. It may not have the fanfare of some of the other holidays, but there is much to be said for a quiet time of getting together with relatives and reflecting on the many things we have to be grateful for. And I have realized this year just how much I DO have to be grateful for. Not only am I lucky enough to have all the immediate members of my family still with me and close around me, but my most longed for dream has finally come true. I am a published author. I can’t tell you how much of a thrill saying those words gives me even now, almost two years after I sold that first book. With the release of A Kiss Before Dawn on November 29th, I will have my second book on the shelves with a third book on the way in July of 2006. How can I not give thanks and count my blessings when I have so very much I have been blessed with?

I think Thanksgiving just became my new favorite holiday.

Happy Turkey Day everyone!