‘While You Are Still Here’

“The key word is gratitude! Making sure some of the key influencers in my life know how much their input has positively changed my life and, in venturing down that journey, I was able to allow other family members to give honour and tribute to their parents, many of whom (my aunts and uncles) I never had a chance to meet,” said Judith (Grey) Jimenez about her self-published book, ‘While You Are Still Here’.

According to Jimenez, the book creates a road map/family tree for those younger than her to learn about their roots and who came before them. It is also a story of resilience and triumph over hardship and trauma.

“The hope is that it will inspire others to not give up on their dreams, no matter how daunting it might seem,” she told The Gleaner on Wednesday.

The Jamaican leg of the book launch was held last Sunday, January 21, in Bunker’s Hill, Trelawny, and was combined with a Day of Fellowship at the Unity Baptist Church.

Community members turned out in their numbers to support the occasion and to also pay tribute to the writer’s mother, Norma Grey, a respected member of the community.

The book’s genesis was seven years ago and came from a family tragedy.

Jimenez, a behavioral health case manager, explained to The Gleaner: “I have always journaled and written poems, ever since I was a child. However, our father took ill in 2017 and I found out his condition was terminal. I wrote him a poem to honour him while he was still with us. My dad told me that he loved it and that he thought I should share it with others. Without saying the words outright, I also knew he had given me his blessings to read it at his funeral.”

“It had me reflecting on the fact that my mother has always used the phrase, give me my flowers while I am still here. I knew I had to compile some of the sentiments I had been meaning to share for some time and, within a short time, a paragraph turned into a page, then from pages to chapters.”

It’s not every day a daughter writes a book and dedicates it to her mother. The occasion was therefore special.

“My mother was elated when I told her I was writing the book. I kept quizzing her to get some old information to fill in the blanks from stories she had told me. I had to walk a very thin line because some things could not go in without getting the permission of many other people. I decided to keep it simple and capture the things that many other people could relate to.”

While You Are Still Here was first published in 2021 but a medical condition prevented proper promotion at the time. A second printing in 2023 led to the official launch in May of that year in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, where Jimenez resides.

The second launch on Sunday in her community was well supported.

“Their support was amazing and reminded me of why I am considered a village child,” she said.

The event was also a family reunion with relatives, some of whom have been away for over 26 years, flying in to share the occasion.

“The community came out and reminded us of who we are. We are a small community, but the love we have for each other is mighty. Despite the lack of key resources like good roads, a post office, a library for the children, we are a people whose love for each other can move the biggest bolder with teamwork, love, and respect,” Jimenez, who is also an adjunct instructor at Coppin State University, pointed out.

The author also visited her alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High School, where she reminded the students to stay focused on their schoolwork.

“If there is something that needs fixing, be the example you would like to see in others and remember, ‘it starts with me’!” she said.

Jimenez has a degree in psychology from the University of Baltimore and her Master of Education with a concentration in Vocational Rehabilitation from Coppin State University. Currently, she is a licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and works as a hospital transition of care coordinator.

carl.gilchrist@gleanerjm.com