A Thankful Message

Hi everyone! On this day of thanks, I wanted to take a moment to tell you all how truly grateful I am to each and every one of you. As a creator, I often struggle to find the right words to say that don't sound fleeting and inauthentic. However, each day I wake up, I think of how much you all have helped me achieve my dreams of being a full-time artist and map maker and I will forever be thankful for you allowing me to pursue this. For the first time in my 41 years of life, I am finally able to start thinking about a transition plan out of my 9-5 day job, which would allow me more time to add other features and services to my content. And while I'm not quite there yet, I feel with where we are headed as a community I could achieve this dream in the near future. 

Truly, from the very depths of my heart, thank you. Thank you for your continued support, your supportive comments, your likes and upvotes, and the inspiration you give to me when I get to hear about the incredible games you run for your players. 

I am also thankful for my best friend, life partner, and wife, who has supported, encouraged, and helped me along my map-making journey. Even though she is currently working two jobs like me while pursuing her master's degree, she always finds time to help me make a social post or act as my second set of eyes when I'm unsure about how a map looks.

In addition to her Mexican heritage, my wife is also a tribal member of the Western Shoshone here in America. I have had the honor and privilege of seeing her community work firsthand and listening to the incredible words of the elders and community members I've had the great honor of hearing. 

Here in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving with family, but it is more than that for us. Today, we honor Native American Heritage Day, and I would like to take this time to acknowledge the stewards of this land I call home.

I acknowledge the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). I recognize I am living on the traditional lands of Gabrielino/Tongva peoples, and I pay my respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders), and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present, and emerging.

So, from my wife and I, our deepest thanks for allowing us to pursue our passions and dreams. To give back to our community and to help bring your fantasy worlds to life with visually stunning maps. I very much look forward to the continued future of DM Andy Maps and am excited at what this future holds for all of us together. 

Cheers,

DM Andy