Thankful

As we slide—okay, tumble—into the Thanksgiving season, I’ve been thinking about gratitude. Not the Pinterest-perfect kind, but the real-life, slightly messy, human kind. The kind that shows up between airport delays, awkward family conversations, and that annual debate over who’s responsible for the lumpy mashed potatoes. (For the record: not me.)

And of course, at the top of my gratitude list is you, dear reader.

Thank you for reading my blog, That Girl This Life, for subscribing, and for letting me wander around your inbox talking about the things that keep many of us up at night: identity, family, belonging, and how all three tend to collide—especially around the holidays.

Because let’s be honest: this season isn’t all twinkle lights and cozy sweaters. Some of us are missing a loved one so much it aches. Some are navigating estranged relationships, complicated family dynamics, or the kind of ideological distances that make small talk feel like tightrope walking. And others are simply separated by geography—thank you, flight prices and delays—and wishing home were a little closer.

If you’re in any of those camps, please know you’re not the only one. I get you. A lot of us are trying to figure out where we fit and how to stay connected, even when life gets weird and wobbly.

That’s why I’m so grateful for my readership. You show up for my stories and reflections, and together we make a little corner of the internet where we can laugh, think, remember, roll our eyes, and feel understood—even if just for a few minutes.

So as you head into the holiday season, I hope you find moments that make you smile, people who make you feel like you belong, and at least one dessert that doesn’t require an explanation.

Thanks for being here. Truly. —Julie

Other News

Twice the Family, A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood was named 2025 Finalist of the Canadian Book Club Awards in Nonfiction/Memoir. They recognize the best books as voted by Canadian readers.

Grateful to announce my essay, “What We Carry, What We Share,” has been accepted for publication in the Chicago Story Press Literary Journal (link forthcoming).

Both of my memoirs: Twice the Family, A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood and Twice a Daughter, A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging (E-books only) will be discounted from Dec. 15-25. They make excellent holiday gifts.

Follow Me Here

I’m taking a short break for the holidays, but there’s lots booked for 2026 already …

Jan. 28 & Feb. 26, from 1:30-2:30, I will teach a webinar for the Author Learning Center, titled “Essays That Echo: Crafting Personal Essays That Resonate.” Join me online for either date by registering here.

In February, the audiobook for Twice the Family, A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood releases. More information forthcoming.

March 3, finds me at the Westchester Public Library in suburban Chicago where I will give a workshop on memoir writing. 

March 13-15, I’ve been invited to attend the Tucson Festival of Books as a presenting author in the Adoptee Authors Booth. So look forward to participating again in this prestigious book festival.

Follow Julie by visiting her website, subscribe to her bimonthly newsletters, and listen to previous podcast recordings where she discusses topics like adoption, identity, family relationships, sisterhood and belonging.

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