Our first real snow of the winter was beautiful. Huge flakes drifting down. I was at work at the coffee shop, and it was a slow afternoon, so I was able to take a few minutes, make myself some hot chocolate, and watch it fall outside our huge windows. Had I a fireplace and a person or animal to cuddle with, it would have been the embodiment of cozy.
Today I spent some time thinking about what it is I like about working there and found some interesting things. I like to make things for people that make them happy. I like sharing food. I like getting to know my community beyond the school, and spending some of my time with friends who’s interests lie outside of comics. I like the customers who make the effort and learn my name. I like how many “thank you”s are said during the day. I enjoy the air of excitement as we prepare to change things up and bring something new to our community. I get stressed when I’m tired and busy, and I don’t have enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do, but I like my job. It’s a good place to be.
I am also thankful for the Center for Cartoon Studies. It’s not that I wouldn’t be making comics without the school, but there would be less of them and they would not be as good. I love that I get to spend so much of my time making comics, and I think I’m doing the best work I’ve ever done. I’ll finish my MFA in May, which is terrifying, but despite not knowing where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing come June, I’m glad that I’m doing what I am right now.
I’m thankful for impulses that turn out to be good. For those moments when you say “oh, what the hell” and try something, and it was a good decision.
I’m going to be home with my family for Christmas.
I have a community of wonderful people scattered around the world.
I’m thankful for the food I shared Thanksgiving day, and the friends I shared it with.
I’m grateful for my warm house, and the bed that I’m going to crawl into in just a few minutes.
Goodnight world, moon, stars, mittens, kittens, etc. I’m thankful for you all.