Giving Thanks 2010

Wow! Three years of not being bitchy about the things I have to be thankful for? I know what many of you are thinking. What have I done with the Cullen you know and love? But I've been trying (with a few minor hiccups) to be a more positive guy for years now. There's so little use in focusing on negatives and, frankly, it's been a pretty great year!

The list is a little shorter this year, mainly because I'm not going to repeat the things I was thankful for in 2008 and 2009. I'm still — and always will be — thankful for those blessings, but today is for the things that are top of mind.

This year, I'm thankful for…

My wife and son. Cindy and I started dating 9 years ago yesterday. Just last night we were thinking about how, on that first date, we could have never imagined where our lives would take us. We could have never imagined that we'd travel to China to get our son, Jackson, or that he'd be the coolest little dude walking the earth.
Speaking of Jackson, I'm thankful the surgery he endured early in the year went well and that he has completely recovered.
My family. I was able to visit with my family a couple of times this year, both in North Carolina and in Missouri. I don't get to see them anywhere near as often as I like, and I miss them terribly. I'm going to make a point of visiting them as much as possible in the next year. And a special happy birthday to my mom! Raise a glass of buttermilk and cornbread in her honor!
My friends and colleagues who have been very supportive of my writing career. I don't want to list specific names because I'll almost certainly miss someone, but there have been a number of professional creators who have helped me make connections and get work. They've made introductions to editors, collaborated on projects, and promoted my work. In short, they rock.
The overwhelming reader response for The Sixth Gun. The book means a lot to me, and I'm thrilled people are digging it!