fellow authors and advocates who share the same passion. It is awesome. We hug and laugh and it's that one time of year I can see these friends in person, and more importantly, add something to their fantastic conference. I always said that if I couldn't attend the ALAN Workshop as an author, I'd attend as a member. That's how great the conference is. But this year, the conference is in Las Vegas, which is a long way from home. And if you know me, then you know I am a non-consumerist, modest, frugal country girl so...Las Vegas is a little like kryptonite for me. But I still hoped I'd go. And then I found out I wouldn't be going, which was a bummer but... Photo cred: the kid ...I realized I'd be home for my daughter's 10th birthday. And in that realization I realized that missing her birthdays for the last three years broke my heart a little because a mom should be with her kid on a kid's birthday when they're little. And she was probably too young to see it like I'd seen it--just a work thing. Mommy has to go on a plane and go somewhere again...no big deal. It was a big deal. It was her birthday. There are sacrifices we make for this career. Quite a few, in fact. And here's the thing about sacrifices. If you make them enough, people forget to notice that you're making them...which leads to a lack of respect.