Tris and the water spout

"The puppy escaped Sandry's hold and ran at the waterspout, yapping and snarling. Sandry dived for him and missed.
"Up until now Tris's only friends were animals. "No, no!" Running up, she thrust herself in front of her creation, before it could seize the dog. "Stop right now! I - I command it! Please?"....."
~Excerpt from Circle of Magic: Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce

When I was younger (and now too) I adored all of Tamora Pierce's books... but i especially loved the Circle of Magic series.
The series is about four young mages named Sandry, Briar, Daja, and Tris, each of whom has an extraordinary power in a field of craft (weaving, vegetation, metalwork, and weather respectively). In particularly though, it was Tris who I looked up to.  I immediately identified with her, as being a intelligent, book-loving, slightly overweight, young girl who was not very popular with others, and as the series progressed she became a better version of myself who I could strive to emulate.

A couple years ago I got to meet Tamora Pierce in person at CONduit in Utah and she was a strong, wonderful woman who allowed me a great deal of her time. For three days straight she inspired me with her words and the whole experience has become one of my fondest memories.
This piece my way of showing gratitude and respect for both the character and the author who shaped my life so dramatically.
All I can say to them is THANK YOU.