Yes, I am one of those shoppers that stands at the grocery checkout line determining which one I want to buy! People, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes and Gardens, Farmer's Almanac!, Woman's Day, and all the rest.
I wonder why I love magazines so much. I really don't remember my mom having magazines when I was growing up. I do remember reading the Evangel on Sunday afternoons and the Billy Graham magazine when it came. Or maybe it was because I loved going to my aunts house just a couple minutes walk from our house, to see if she had her new Ladies Home Journal with the paper doll cut out page in the back. Oh I loved it when she would share those with me.
Magazines have always been a luxury to me, I could only pick one up if I had extra money. I was one of the excited ones when 99 Cent magazines hit the stand! That I could afford! I remember when all the food network chefs made their way into the printed page. Oh that was a great time of shopping! The way to my heart is not chocolate but a magazine subscription!
When we came to Jamaica I had my eyes on what magazines I would be able to find and I came upon a great one. I couldn't find it on a regular basis but when I found it, I would jump with joy. My fix was being fed with not only a magazine with recipes but one with a cultural education.
Much to my dismay last fall after not seeing the magazine for a very long time and understanding the economic difficulties they were probably experiencing, I decided to see if they were on line. If I had to resort to that so be it! When I got to their website I read that indeed they would be cutting back on hard copies. I was so disappointed I sent off an email asking where I would be able to find perhaps, old copies. Copies from the get go! Much to my surprise after sending the email, I received a phone call from the editor and what a special moment. I think I shall forever remember the call.
From the call I could tell that Grace was a beautiful lady, I could tell that she loves her publication and appreciated the fact that I did to. We spoke for a lengthy time and it was fantastic. I was so happy when I misunderstood what was on the website and the publication would continue. After our conversation, Grace said to me, "Would you mind to send me an email telling me what JamaicanEats means to you as an American living here in Jamaica?" I told her I would be more than delighted to.
Life gets busy and we went through the holidays and new year and I completely forgot about my communication to Grace.
Last night in Kingston, Denny and I went into a little store that we enjoy to pass the time while Renee was in her violin lesson. We were both in the magazine area of the store, while I was purusing the shelf, Den called my name and said Look! Yay, My favorite JamaicanEats magazine was in! I was so very excited. I hadn't seen one for many months! As he continued browsing in the store, I was anxious to see what was in the new edition. I opened the magazine and lo and behold my eyes fell on my name. It is so funny how I turned to that page and my eyes just saw something familiar!
My little letter to Grace had been published. I couldn't settle for one magazine, I bought them out! Well.....that is a little misleading, isn't it? The store had 3 copies so I bought them. I must find more though, I have more than 2 friends and family members that would enjoy seeing the magazine again. When I go home I take copies of it as souvenirs from Jamaica, the recipes and articles are great!
When we picked Renee up from her lesson, we showed her the new copy and told her to look at the index. After she read the blurb about the American, she turned to the correct page and said "Momma, you're published!" I just thought that was a great response. How excited we get about the little things in life, like seeing our name in a magazine! Seeing our name.....I feel motivated to develop a teaching on the value of seeing our name. When someone says your name instead of HEY. The scripture has alot to say about our name....being written in the Lamb's Book of Life, our name written in the palm of His hand, many times we live out the meaning of our name. Renee means, born again. Ever since she was born, I have repeatedly told her to live out her name.
Seeing my name in print made me appreciate the magazine all over again and especially my new email friend, Grace. I wonder what she thinks about her name! I will have to ask her!
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