Whew.
With just two more school visits before the year's end, I find myself looking back at this very busy season of events, presentations and festivals with a rosy glow. 

The only low points?

My spaciness increased as the weeks wore on (I told my daughter I was in Philadelphia when really I was in Indianapolis… I left critical computer cords in a hotel and an airport… and I threw away my rental car keys). 

And my voice sounded, more often than not, like I was a very hard-partying college student.
Or Lauren Bacall on a bad day.

But the high points far outweighed all that.

I got to hang out with a whole bunch of brilliant and inspiring authors and illustrators in four states and at multiple events. 
I got to eat salted caramels, fancy mashed potatoes out of a martini glass, and the most delicious grilled asparagus.
I got to sell and sign about a zillion books.
I got to talk about picture books day after day, to people who love them — writers, parents, teachers, librarians, kids.
I got to listen to other writers give talks that made me laugh and cry.
I got to see leaves change and snow fall.
I got to see family at times I wouldn't normally see them, teachers from when I was a teen, and dear old friends.

And, most importantly, I got to speak with a few thousand kids about reading, language, creativity, passion, revision, determination, and books. I can honestly say that every hour I spend reading and talking with kids — at schools and libraries, in tents and in gardens — is an eye-opening, heart-exploding pleasure. Their probing and thoughtful questions, their funny comments, and their willingness to bond so quickly and openly over a shared love? I just walk away gob-smacked every time. 

So, as we head into Thanksgiving season, I want to express my gratitude to all the teachers, librarians, PTAs and festival organizers who make these connections possible. Who knew, when I started noodling around with rhymes for kids, that it would lead to this great joy.

I'll leave you with one of the comments I got from a third grader a couple of weeks ago:

"You seem very happy with your job even though they make you work so hard and you're not exactly rich. So that's good."

Yep. That is good.

(A post note: This was the same day a little girl asked me what the meaning of my life was. Ha. And people think you've got to dumb-down to write for kids.)