I love being thanked.

In a store when I fork over some cash.

When I hold the door open for someone.

If I donate to a charity or sign a petition.

In the car, I love being the person who waves someone else in. "Go ahead," my gentle wave says, "please merge in front of me." I will leave for work especially early *just* so I can do this.

I like to be the one who lets someone else take the really awesome parking spot in the grocery store lot. "No problemo," my smile indicates, "I could use the walk."

Back in NYC, I gave up up my subway seat to a thousand old people and pregnant women and gave directions to confused tourists on subway platforms. I'm sure I would do the same thing in LA if the Metro here went anywhere and I could actually use it.

I give free advice, whether it's requested or not, and *most* of the time people thank me. That's okay. I know they forget sometimes. At least, I'm pretty sure they forget. Yeah, let's go with that.

But I also love the flip side of appreciation.

I LOVE to thank people. Note the ALL CAPS.

Mom, Dad, significant other, dog. Friends and followers. Most especially: readers. I love when people take the time to write a review on Goodreads or post one on their blog. It's nice when they're positive but okay when they're not. There are so many books in the world that to even acknowledge one or 2 or 10 exist and comment on them is a big deal.

I thank you. And you. And you. And you.

Thank you for reading my book. Thank you for liking it. Thank you for telling someone else about it. I see you.

~Cat