We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in my home country of the UK or my new home in Spain, but the day always gives me pause for thought and I use it as a day to count my blessings.
One of the many things I am thankful for is the fact that my job is my passion. I spend every day doing what I love – knee deep, or rather neck deep, in Tudor history. When I started The Anne Boleyn Files back in February 2009 as a diary of my research into Anne’s life I never dreamt that I would one day be corresponding with people from all over the world about Tudor history, publishing books on history, givng talks on it, doing full-time research etc. It really is a dream come true and I am thankful for it.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement I’ve received. If nobody had ever stumbled on The Anne Boleyn Files and offered me encouragement then it really would have been a different story and I’d still be doing general freelance writing. I’ve had my fair shares of knocks, but it’s so much easier to pick yourself up and dust yourself off when you have people rooting for you – Thank you to all my followers, fellow bloggers and writers, and the new friends I have made.
I’m also thankful for my family. My children have come to accept that Tudor history is a big part of our life and Tim works alongside me on projects, helping me turn my ideas into reality. My daughter Verity played a big part in my most recent project and it was wonderful to work with her. A big thank you to Tim, Christian, Verity and Joel.
And a big thank you to the teachers I had in childhood who encouraged my love of writing and history. Teachers have such power and I was lucky that my interests were nurtured.
Finally a thank you to the many historians and authors who have corresponded with me, listened to me, advised me and been kind enough to help me in many different ways. You could have looked down on me as “just a blogger”, but you didn’t and I am truly thankful.
Thank you.
Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating today!
