As I sit at my desk, fingers hovering over the keyboard, I’m faced with the task of writing my final letter for Focus on Fabulous magazine. The press deadline looms just days away, and this is the last page I need to complete. Normally, I’m not one to procrastinate, but I’ve been putting this off. I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps it’s because this moment is so bittersweet. I’m about to bid farewell to something I’m deeply passionate about, yet I also feel a sense of relief that the stress and pressure of producing a publication of this caliber will soon be behind me.
I think there are a few reasons I’ve delayed writing this letter:
- Goodbyes have never been easy for me.
- My emotions are all over the place, making it hard to capture exactly how I feel.
- I’m torn between not wanting to boast and not wanting to downplay what we’ve achieved.
When I try to pinpoint the reason for my turmoil, my thoughts naturally drift to reflecting on everything Focus on Fabulous magazine has accomplished in its nine years of ex-istence. You’ll find a list of some of those achievements in this issue on page 12. But then again, I hesitate to brag. Yet, Focus on Fabulous magazine was created for that very purpose—to celebrate and showcase the extraordinary.
As women, we’re often conditioned not to seek attention or accolades. We just get on with what needs to be done, nurturing, loving, achieving, and surviving along the way.
I think I’ve put off writing this because I didn’t want to dwell too much on what I’ve achieved in these nine years. They say, ‘Don’t look back. You’re not going that way.’ But, it’s in the looking back that I find such gratitude.
I remember sitting at my kitchen table, sharing my vision with my husband and telling him I was going to start a magazine. I recall the countless hours spent at Barnes & Noble, flipping through magazines, analyzing what was popular, beautiful, and profitable. And, of course, I remember the frustration of learning how to navigate a program I had no experience with in order to bring it all together. But looking back, what also stands out is the incredible support from the over 200 people who attended the launch and believed in my dream.
Since its launch on September 8, 2015, we have not only survived a year-and-a-half pandemic, and won some awards, proclamations and accolades. But mostly, we have tooted the horns and bragged on countless women whose stories of struggles and successes have been shared through our pages over the years. I am humbly proud of all we’ve accomplished. We took a dream and made it happen.
In fact, just over the past six years, a few of the remarkable women we’ve had the privilege to feature have passed away. However, their stories and legacies live on through this publication, a lasting tribute for their families and loved ones. I’m immensely proud to have been able to offer that.
Yes, this may be our final printed issue, but rest assured, I encounter amazing women with stories worth telling nearly every single day. So, as long as I have breath, I will keep blending story with heart, passion with purpose, championing the underdog, the shy, and the unnoticed, sharing their stories and shining their light.
Thank you for being part of our nine-year journey. I refuse to say goodbye, so instead, I’ll say—stay tuned for what comes next.
stay fabulous, stay you,
“mi”