It's the first Sunday of November and I hope this month has met you at a good place. I know November is viewed as a month of expressing gratitude and giving thanks, especially in the US. Without sounding cliche, I closed out October and welcomed November with a heart full of gratitude. A month that began with heaviness ended with an experience I'll always treasure, and as I reflect on everything in between, I have so much to be thankful for.
As we welcome November, may this Sunday give you time to reflect on the good you have received, thank the people who have been part of it, and enjoy how far you have come.
I went to bed feeling grateful and woke up feeling even more so.
October brought opportunities to listen to other writers, enjoy their stories, explore, and connect. I attended literary events as a reader and left with plenty to think about as an author. By the end of the month, I was standing before an audience, sharing my own story and reading from my novel.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about vulnerability. There is a particular feeling that comes with giving people that kind of access to you. They get to hear your story in your voice, and you get to experience their response in person.
It was my first author talk and reading, and Lambeth Libraries' first time hosting an event of this kind. We were sharing a beginning. I'm grateful they created the space, and that I got to be one of the authors helping to fill it.
It all began with an email. I reached out to the organisers, and when a few people dropped out, they offered me half a table. Before long, I was preparing books, a name card, a sign-up sheet, and a few words to introduce myself.
From my camera roll. Every beginning has a quiet moment before the world arrives. Mine was unboxing the copies before the book event.
Even on the way there, sitting in traffic, I was thinking about what I would read. I had three minutes, and I wanted to give the audience enough of the story to make them curious.
Once there, listening to the other authors speak, I settled into the experience, and I had the opportunity to share a little of my background and introduce Heart Is Home, and my upcoming Go Where You Glow, and Webs, Love & Fireworks. Then I brought them into Rae Town, Kingston, for a night out with Maris Duval and her girlfriends.
I read until Maris saw someone she hadn't expected to see.
"Then, she saw him. André Rousseau."
And I stopped there.
I had so many people walk up to congratulate and compliment me. It was heartwarming. Knowing I had a community to witness this first moment gave me another reason to be thankful.
I networked, there were some sales and email exchanges. There were conversations with fellow authors, photographs, encouragement, and the pleasure of meeting people through work that means so much to me. It was perfect.
From my camera roll. My first author's table, a stack of books, and a yes I almost talked myself out of. I read from my book out loud for the first time. If you're standing at the edge of your own first, lovelies, this is your sign. Some dreams just need you to show up.
I woke up this morning thinking how much had followed that one email. I couldn't have known how the day would unfold when I sent it. I simply asked, and when the opportunity came, I said yes.
We often have so much ahead of us that we move quickly past what has already happened. There is another task, another goal, another thing to prepare for. But I want to stay with this feeling for a while. I want to appreciate the people who made the day possible, the readers who stopped at my table, my daughter's presence, and the courage it took to share my work.
You may have a moment of your own that deserves a little more appreciation. A conversation that encouraged you. A first attempt you're glad you made. Someone who showed up for you. A step you took without knowing where it would lead.
Give yourself time to recognize what it meant. We deserve to enjoy the experiences we once only hoped we would have.
So today, my Sunday Rs have made room for a G.
Gratitude for being invited, the warm welcome, and being surrounded by good company as I tried something new. Gratitude for waking up with a memory I'm happy to revisit. And gratitude to God for bringing me to this place in my life, where I am discovering how much I have yet to experience.
There are more first times ahead of us. I am grateful for all my firsts that I am still experiencing.
May you experience an abundance of firsts and everything to be grateful for.
With my sweet Sunday love,
xo, Marcia 🌹
This reflection first appeared on The Internal Verandah, my Substack home for the Sunday Rs.
From My Verandah
A good story, time for yourself, warmth, and a welcoming glow. I’m sharing a few pieces from my writing and AUBRIEA to bring into your own moments of gratitude, or give to someone you’re thankful for.
- One night in Kingston. A love from her past. Indulge in the magic of second-chance romance in my debut novel, Webs, Love & Fireworks.
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For the feeling of coming home to yourself —
Heart is Home, a 7-day journey to self-love.
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So much to be thankful for.
GRATEFUL Sweatshirt, for crisp mornings, close gatherings, and counting your blessings.
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The glow that welcomes everyone in.
NOËL Candle from Moments of Light. Make room for the joy.