Gratitude

If you care enough, you can never express too much

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I got a notification on Substack this morning that almost made me fall out of my chair. Publishing an entry for no other purpose than expressing gratitude to a fairly large number of people who are otherwise busy trying to live their daily lives probably appears silly to some, but I am compelled to do it all the same. Blame my grandmother for beating into my head the importance of good manners, showing respect in all things, carrying yourself with humility and grace, and expressing gratitude for even the smallest of good things that come your way. If she taught me nothing else, she taught me that giving is always better than receiving.

When I first arrived here, I intended to do what I do and put it somewhere for safekeeping. It has never been my intention to collect followers and subscribers, and it sure as hell never crossed my mind that I was in pursuit of any crazy notion that I might gain any sort of notoriety; I have been fiercely consistent in my observations that I am surrounded by incredible Talent far greater than my own and that I consider myself lucky that you people allow me a spot in the cheap seats of the nosebleeds section in the Substack Stadium.

Those of you who have been with me for a while are probably sick of hearing this, but what brought me here in the first place was my unwillingness to accept that I could not read or write anymore, couldn't work or drive, and shouldn't live alone unsupervised. This place became my outlet, and if one or two people accidentally tripped and fell face-first into my stuff, it made my entire week. When I found out this morning just how many of you out there are actually sticking around, like on purpose and stuff, all I could do is bow my head, stunned by your interest and support, and thank you from the bottom of my heart; I am compelled to write for my own sanity, but it's only because of you guys - not me - that I am compelled to keep feeding the compulsion. Thank you all, and God bless you... Now, get your asses back to work.