Short version: I’m delighted to announce that The Ingredients of Us is a Book Excellence Award Winner in Relationships! I’m taking a moment to be grateful and excited amidst the craziness that continues to unfold regarding COVID-19.
Longer version: I think we can all agree that these are strange, frightening times.
With COVID-19 sweeping through Washington, I had to cancel my Western WA book tour for Keep Me Afloat. Then our much-anticipated friend-trip to Mexico had to be canceled. Then my husband lost one of his jobs. Not to mention the general worry and heartbreak I’ve been feeling for all the people—near and far—affected by this crisis.
Still, I’ve found inspiration in how communities have come together to support each other amidst the uncertainty—and that has been a bright light in the dark unknown.
All this time home has given me the opportunity to practice gratefulness for the privileges I have. My husband and I are incredibly lucky to live in a rural place where we can go outside for a break from the news. We have food, income, and security. Not everyone is so lucky. I feel incredibly thankful and have done my best to support our local businesses (bookstores, restaurants, and more) from afar. We have many friends in the retail and food service industries who are facing uncertainties far greater than ours.
That said, I’m trying to ground myself in small daily joys. My cats being cute. A good book on my nightstand. A funny text from a friend. And now this.
It’s hard to celebrate when the world is in crisis. For this brief moment, I’m trying to sit with the joy of receiving an award for my work—the culmination of years worth of dogged dedication to my career. It’s nice to be recognized.
This award is one more thing to be grateful for in these strange times.