Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint
Giving Thanks in a Post-Covid (I Hope) World
November 24, 2022
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Many of us have blessings we always mention on this occasion. Family, friends, home, career, transportation, personal health and mobility, community, pets, rewarding hobbies, and more are blessings that come to mind. However, our world changed in recent years.
Covid took a toll on every level, with its stranglehold of fear nestling in our psyches. Though many are once again marching to their own beat same as they did pre-covid, it’s clear that plenty were irrevocably changed by the pandemic. Those still self-isolate, wear masks, avoid gatherings, and seek solitude. While some of this is good and desirable, especially if we get socked with another variant of this virus, the altered behavior took a toll on the workforce. It created snarls in the supply and demand chain worldwide.
All of this to say, I’m thankful to have survived the pandemic. Like others, we lost family, friends, and neighbors, so we’re not unscathed even though we bear the title of survivors. We must continue to adapt to situations as they arise. Oh joy, a life lesson happened in the midst of that tragedy, but I surely wish it wouldn’t have blown in like a Cat 5 hurricane.
I’m super thankful for doctors, nurses, scientists, pharmacists, drug companies, policemen, and more—in effect, all who helped us reached this point of healing. And I give thanks for each new day, where I do what I can for those in my immediate sphere of influence. The true life lesson I gleaned from the pandemic is this: life is short. Make every day count.
Things change. People matter. I’m a dinosaur and remember the “We Are The World” song from 1985, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie. The powerful worlds encourage us to strive for harmony and helpfulness. (Note this song has been updated over the years, but here’s a link to the original “We Are The World“)
Even so, I’m very thankful for my author friends and for readers. We are from the same tribe and delight in a well-told tale. It’s nice to feel that fellowship, sometimes in person but other times in an online community format.
What are you thankful for this year? Comment by Monday, November 28, to be eligible for the first in my foodie mystery series, Seas the Day. Print book is available for those with US address only. Digital book format is a choice for US and international winners.
Want to know more about author Maggie Toussaint/Valona Jones? Visit her WEBSITE.
Posted in Let's Talk, with Maggie Toussaint • Tags: Covid, Giving Thanks in a Post-Covid World, Let's Talk, Maggie Toussaint, Valona Jones, We Are The World | 22 Comments
I’m thankful for my son and 3 beautiful/kooky granddaughters. Also for books and all the authors that write/create the wonderful mysteries that I love and take me to places all over the world. Thank you for this chance at your giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com
Thanks for sharing your thankfulness with us! I can not imagine a world without books. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m grateful for a healthy and happy husband and the wonderful children and grandchildren that live nearby. I’m thankful for being able to read and write books for the pure delight of it. I’m thankful for readers who support writers. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
So nice to see you here on turkey day. Readers sure know how to make authors feel grateful for their work. Happy Thanksgiving, Cheryl!
In addition to my family and friends, I’m grateful for the opportunity to write–even those smidgens of words that get put down in between juggling the literal and figurative cats of my day to day. I also appreciate the writing community–helping one another. I include readers in this mix because their support, positive reviews, and kind messages are the whipped cream on my Thanksgiving pie. (Sorry, not sorry!)
Mmmm. Thanksgiving pie with whipped cream. I am definitely going to have some today. My only regret is that it won’t be MY whipped cream from scratch, but sometimes we just have to play the cards we’re dealt! Happy Thanksgiving, Liz!
I’m thankful for the blessings we all receive, whether large or small, and the strength we are given to get through difficult times. As an author and a reader, I would be remiss not to also be thankful for the words that flow from me and the words of others that allow me hours of pleasurable reading time.
Brilliantly said, Debra! Echoing what I said above, life is short. Spend it with family or friends who encourage, strengthen, and uplift you. I’ve often wondered how someone might put a price on creativity. It is a truly valuable and yet nebulous aspect of most people and all artists. I like to think creativity adds an extra oomph to how I perceive and translate the world. I also think I might be bereft without it. But enough of that, today is a day for giving thanks, and I most certainly give thanks for you, Debra. Happy Thanksgiving.
I am Thankful for my Family and for our fur babies. “May you and your families have a Very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
Thanks so much, Alicia. Fur babies are the best, right? Happy Thanksgiving to you.
I’m thankful for the basics…family, friends, furs. Despite a few trials, life is relatively good, and I will strive to be a “glass half full” kind of person as I forge on. Happy Thanksgiving!!
We all need those basics to survive. They make everything better. Happy Thanksgiving, Diane!
On Thanksgiving and everyday, I’m thankful for my family, my health (especially my brain, which continues to churn out new story ideas!) my readers, and my writing community, with special thanks to my fellow Booklover’s Bench blogging buddies. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much, Lois. We are all thankful that you joined the group. It is a blessing to have like-minded friends and family so that everything is less of a struggle. Happy Thanksgiving!
As it turns out, we’re having a gloriously warm day here in SoCal, so I’m thankful for that. But, like so many others, I’m thankful for my health and wellbeing. Thanks for a lovely post, Maggie!
Thanks for weighing in, Terry. I envision you as having perfect weather all year long out there in SoCal.
Thankful for friends and family and that we can still afford a nice holiday meal. Not everyone can these days.
I hear you, Sharon. We should never take those things for granted.
I am grateful to still be here for another birthday. I’m grateful we moved when we did to be near our children and grandson. And I’m grateful to readers and my author friends for giving me the motivation to write.
Hope your birthday was amazing. It is such a blessing to live close to family. When we moved to my childhood stomping grounds in 2004, it was eyeopening how much we’d missed for years while we were off having careers. I love being close to family, though our family is still a bit scattered. You and I share a deep love of reading and writing. I’m very grateful for…you!
ALICIA HANEY IS MY WINNER OF SEAS THE DAY! Congratulations, Alicia.
I’m thankful for my family and the fact that my nephew who lives on the east coast is coming home for Thanksgiving.