After telling family and friends (and even a few strangers) that I was going to be published in Reader’s Digest, February 2011 issue, I received my copy the other day and discovered that my quote was not in the magazine. I quickly emailed the editor who had originally contacted me. Below is her reply…..
I regret to tell you that your comment did not get into the final version of the magazine. Text is often cut at the last minute and I always tell readers that their comments are “scheduled to be published” and not definitely “going to be published.” Thank you for your submission.
I was a little confused so I went back to her original email and there were the words…”scheduled to be published”….My mistake was assuming it was a done deal. (I’ve been published many times through the years and never had this happen but there’s a first time for everything!)
I was disappointed for about ten minutes until my son Jason called. When I told him that I wasn’t going to be in Reader’s Digest he said, “Mom, I already have a list of your greatest moments and there are plenty of them, so who cares about Reader’s Digest.” Since this is my eldest child who has known me the longest and has the best memory in the family, I humbly accepted my compliment and listened politely as he shared his list with me.
I may not ever make it to the Oprah Show (lord knows I’ve tried) but when my son was listing all my accomplishments through his eyes, I was thinking to myself,” Nothing beats being a Mother!”
p.s. Here is what I wrote to Reader’s Digest in response to a question they asked about marriage. For those of you who ran out and bought the February issue…Thanks for your support!
My 34 year marriage is lasting because we haven’t forgotten those vows we took…we just added a few more along the way like “Make your spouse laugh at least once a day!”
Debi Nevel Drecksler
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Nice son, must have a great mom.
Thanks for the compliment!
That is just one of the greatest things a son could say to his mother! How wonderful, who cares about Readers Digest…maybe you should submit that story. Wonderful, Wonderful….
Great idea…Thanks!
Sons are great because the compliments, often few and far between, are so much sweeter when they happen!
My younger son provided me with a ‘Things Kids Say’ quote in about 2001, when he was nine. It was just some silly thing he said on the way in from school, but I sent it to Readers’ Digest. they did publish it, which surprised me…Fastest $200 I ever made, but I gave him the money!
That is terrific…I am sure he was thrilled with the money!
Sorry to hear you didn’t get into Reader’s Digest. Now I’m glad I forgot to re-subscribe to it.
What a great Mom moment from your son. Children are the greatest source of comfort and often surprise us with the extent of love they have for us.
Thanks for your kind words. You are right…They really are full of surprises!
Grandma Bubbi that was a lovely quote. And apt. Marrage is an evoution and you put it into a nicely humorous verse. If you’ve been married for 34 years you certainly earned the degree of MMM (Master of Marriage Management). You’re a credit to the institution and benefit of marriage. Bless you.
Thank-you! I love the MMM (Master of Marriage Management)… I’m going to let my 4 siblings know about this honor you bestowed upon me…Every one of them has a Doctorate Degree (I only have a B.A. in Education) BUT my marriage has lasted the longest! I’m feeling pretty special right now thanks to YOU!
Now – that is high praise and from someone who knows and loves the real you!!! Not bad mothering either!!
Thanks for the compliment….As the oldest child, he’s known the “real” Debi for 37 years and is the only one of my 4 children who got my red hair and freckles. He’s also the proud Daddy of my only grandchild. (so far)