From Here to Jamaica, One Pizza at a Time

I was inspired to write this book by my three nephews (all in their 20’s). After hearing about my adventures in Jamaica, they believed that I needed to share these stories. I wasn’t planning to write a book, nor was I planning to move to Jamaica. Initially, I wasn’t even planning to visit. I was actually on the path to become an Episcopal Priest. Growing up, I was a caretaker to many people. I found myself searching for God’s purpose after the death of four of the most important people in my life. I lost my mom, my husband, my brother and my biological father (who I had just met 5 years prior to his death) and these experiences made me feel lost. I felt like I was really searching for the first time in about 35 years; I had no idea where I was going or where I would end up. I was trusting God to lead the way. I was 56 years old and weighed 220 lbs when I started planning my first trip to Jamaica with a good friend. Neither of us had ever been there; we were looking for a vacation spot with sunshine, a new adventure, and one that was affordable. We spent an absolute, amazing week on that beautiful and mystical island. The most fun we had was getting to know the culture, the people, their food and their simple but fulfilling way of life. It was an experience that neither one of us would ever forget, nor was it the only trip that either one of us would ever take to Jamaica. We visited again frequently in 2011 and 2012. After the first trip, and then planning the second to celebrate my 57th birthday, I was encouraged to find a way to help this impoverished country. I brought an extra suitcase full of toys, books, crayons, etc. to share with some of the young Jamaican children who don’t have things like this in their lives. I didn’t know where it would all lead, but I had come to know people that would help me pass these simple, yet precious items on to those who might need them most; I could have brought 10 suitcases full and it still would not have been enough. This experience, especially after the third trip in the course of 3 months, was something that changed my life and inspired me so much that I decided that I wanted to move, find a job and find a way to do mission work in my new home in Negril, Jamaica. By the time I arrived on my third visit, I had lost 30 pounds, and by time I made my fourth trip, I had lost another 50. My life was changing by leaps and bounds; not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. I knew I would have to spend more than just one or two weeks to gauge what it would be like to live in this foreign yet extremely comfortable environment. So I began the journey to make my new home in Negril, Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies. I had come to love this country and its people so quickly. They accepted me and welcomed me into their world too, for the most part.There’s always an adjustment period when moving to a new location, especially one so far from my home in the United States. However, time is our friend and no matter where we wind up, if we stay there long enough we often find a comfort level. Little did I realize how much this experience would change my life in such a dramatic and extreme way, forever! Not only did I lose over 100 pounds in the process, my life transformed in so many other ways. It all began the moment I landed in Jamaica for the first time. I came alive again and it felt great! A good friend of mine once said something that described my experiences in Jamaica. I thought it was profound and I added to it. I came up with this description: Jamaica is not just an island in the Caribbean; it is truly a state of mind. This phrase sums it all up; so goes my story.