Sitting at work this morning, medium-sized flakes of snow fall, but fall in such a way as if they’re in no hurry to settle on the ground. Pure contentment.

Hence the title.

Yesterday I received an email.

Yep. An email. The epitome of excitement right there, I tell ya.

I know I’ve piqued your curiosity enough you are literally sitting on the edge of your seat, nose almost touching your screen in electric enthusiasm awaiting what’s so exiting about one little email.

The subject gave it away: “2015 WWPW Winners: Here’s your eBook redemption code!”

Last October I participated in the 8th Annual Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photowalk (WWPW) with other local photographers. That day was cold and dreary, so fewer than 10 people showed up. Each participant was encouraged to submit one photo from the walk for a variety of prizes. One photo was chosen from each participating city to win an eBook. Looks like my submission won. I could give myself a huge pat on the back, but it’s not that big of a deal. Considering so few participated this year, there wasn’t much by way of competition. It was more a lack of options than actual skill, or outstanding photo. Much like winning an election when you’re running unopposed. Here’s the photo:

But, hey. I got a free eBook!

The book is called “The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC book for digital photographers” by Scott Kelby.

I don’t know how many people read the Acknowledgements in a book, but I always do. You get a glimpse into the author and those who are important in his/her life. Not once have I ever choked up because of an acknowledgement, nor do I ever expect to. Until now.

This is what Mr. Kelby wrote in his (in part):

I start the acknowledgements for every book I’ve ever written the same way — by thanking my amazing wife, Kalebra. If you knew what an incredible woman she is, you’d totally understand why.

This is going to sound silly, but if we go grocery shopping together, and she sends me off to a different aisle to get milk, when I return with the milk and she sees me coming back down the aisle, she gives me the warmest, most wonderful smile. It’s not because she’s happy that I found the milk; I get that same smile every time I see her, even if we’ve only been apart for 60 seconds. It’s a smile that says, “There’s the man I love.”

If you got that smile, dozens of times a day, for nearly 26 years of marriage, you’d feel like the luckiest guy in the world, and believe me — I do. To this day, just seeing her puts a song in my heart and makes it skip a beat. When you go through life like this, it makes you one incredibly happy and grateful guy, and I truly am.

So, thank you, my love. Thanks for your kindness, your hugs, your understanding, your advice, your patience, your generosity, and for being such a caring and compassionate mother and wife. I love you.

Secondly, thanks to my son, Jordan. I wrote my first book when my wife was pregnant with him (19 years ago), and he has literally grown up around my writing. It has been a blast watching him grow up into such a wonderful young man, with his mother’s tender and loving heart and compassion way beyond his years. As he heads off to college this year, out-of-state (sniff, sniff), he knows that his dad just could not be prouder or more excited for him, but he may not realize just how much I’ll miss seeing his big smile every morning before school and at the dinner table every night. Throughout his life, he has touched so many people, in so many different ways, and even though he’s so young, he has already inspired so many, and I just cannot wait to see the amazing adventure, and the love and laugher his life has in store for him. He, little buddy — this world needs more “yous!”

Thanks to our wonderful daughter, Kira, for being the answer to our prayers, for being such a blessing to your older brother, and for proving once again that miracles happen every day. You are a little clone of your mother, and believe me, there is no greater compliment I could give you. It is such a blessing to get to see such a happy, hilarious, clever, creative, and just awesome little force of nature running around the house each day — she just has no idea how happy and proud she makes us. She is awesomeness wrapped in a layer of chocolate with sprinkles. It doesn’t get much better than that.

I know it’s a bit lengthy (and I shared only half of it), but dang! As a writer, I can appreciate what he wrote (my only criticism is using “just” too often). The love he has for his family pops off the page with every word. I found it inspiring; not so much that I feel much of the same for my own family (which I do), but to motivate me to learn how to write as good.