I was talking and thinking about my personal hang up with the words “grateful” and “gratitude”. I feel that that have been overused and become something that feels almost performative.
But I believe in the concept of being grateful.
I want to take time out of my day and my life to remember the good things, the things that made me happy, the people who matter to me.
So, no matter how hooky I feel about the words and the associations I have, I want to acknowledge the good things in my life, even when things feel bleak.
So, today I want to say, I am grateful for:
- You, my lovely readers of this site
- Laura and Thien-Kim for stepping up and writing for the site
- To my Patrons who help fund this venture, provide insight, ideas and encouragement
- To JetPens, our most loyal and long-standing (and currently ONLY) site sponsor
- To Vanness Pen Shop, Dromgoole’s, Pen Chalet, Pen Boutique, Federalist Pens and all the other shops who have helped us along the way by providing review samples, support and encouragement
- To my friends, both pen and pen-adjacent, who listen to me when I do nothing but “talk shop”
- To my knit group who force me to spend time doing something other than pen stuff
- To Brad for being such a loyal supporter of the pen community and me all these years. I know it goes to his head sometimes but honestly, he’s a pretty great guy.
- To Bob for supporting this crazy stationery adventure, for spending his weekends making Col-o-ring, driving to pen shows, testing millions of different paper stocks, and saying “yes, Hon…” whenever I panic, holler or otherwise meltdown. I love you.
- To the cats for leaving cat hair in every photo shoot, on every package and occasionally chewing on invoices. I do all this because I need to feed you monsters.
- And finally, I know I’m probably forgetting a million people but know that I am laying in bed tonight thinking “OMG! I can’t believe I forgot so-and-so. Should I take out a full page ad in Variety tomorrow to make it up to them?” Just know, it’s you.
What are you grateful for? And can someone leave a suggestion for some way to say it that doesn’t feel so… cheesy? Thanks! You rock!