Recently my husband, daughter, and I had dinner with my parents at King’s Barbeque in Petersburg, Virginia.

My paternal grandfather discovered this restaurant in the 1950s and it is still one of our family’s favorite places.

Since it was near Christmas, they displayed a unique decoration – a pig wearing a Santa hat. Amused, I took pictures with my cell phone.

I heard voices. “That’s a first!”

I turned to see the waitstaff looking at me, noting that no one else had ever taken a picture of the pig. Just as I found the pig to be comical, so they found humor in my amusement.

Anyone who spends time with me knows that I am easily tickled. New and unique sights and sounds bring me happiness. I take pleasure in little things. Over the years, I have come to believe that my ability to find everything entertaining is a little gift of sunshine from God.

Your turn:

As you develop your characters, what big gifts have you given them?

What small gifts have you given them?

How do these character traits affect your story?