In our recent Fall/Winter 2008 issue of VIE, we printed a portion of a letter to the editor described as the publisher’s most cherished. Read the letter in its entirety below.

Dear Lisa,

I just wanted to take the time to tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed the new publication, VIE–PEOPLE + PLACES. I cannot even imagine all the time, labor, effort, thought, decisions, (and I could go on and on) that went into making this magazine possible. I think it is great! It certainly meets a specific need for this coastal area.  Many people will benefit from your inspiration and efforts.

Your personal contributions to the issue, in my opinion, are what made it worth reading.  The way you open up and share the details of how the magazine came about was especially inspiring. I also enjoyed your descriptive account of the trip to New York City. The thing, I think, that touched me most, was your sincere enjoyment of seeing photographer Jessie Sheppard’s dream come true!  I hope every reader caught that and shared in her joy as much as I did. 

The thing I love most about writing is that you never know who you will touch, or where you words might go.  You can never tell who or what will be affected by them.  You can not truly comprehend what will be accomplished through them. So, please keep writing!  Keep up the good work! You are doing a good job.

I am a 53 year old, low income housewife.  I am raising my husband’s great nephew who has a severe expressive language disorder.  He doesn’t talk.  He has developmental delays and possibly autism. He is a beautiful and precious boy that we love dearly and are very devoted to.  He loves for me to read to him.  I hope to instill in him a love for reading and writing according to whatever ability he may have.

I help care for my aging mother, work alongside my husband in every aspect of a small neighborhood church he founded 10 years ago.  My schedule is full.  I have little down time or time for myself.  I realize the importance of having an outlet for the stress that is inevitable.  So, I write!  Writing is my therapy, my way of relaxing.  I also gain a great sense of enjoyment, when, at times, I realize that somehow my writing has helped, encouraged, or inspired someone.  My writing is extremely simple and non-professional, but, I enjoy it nevertheless.

I guess that is why I enjoy so much reading what others write.  While I wait in the lobby of Bay Medicals Health Plex where Chase receives therapy, I seize the moment and read.  That’s how I ran across your publication.

It was very interesting to hear about people from a different way of life than my own.  Reading the articles caused me to appreciate even more that there are so many people in the area who give so generously of the resources they have been blessed with to benefit the many needs in our communities.

God Bless You, Lisa, for responding to your inspiration and following your dream!

Sincerely,
Peggy