A timeless serving of inspiration that will feed both body and soul with heartwarming stories and delightful easy to prepare recipes using herbs and spices.
What does life have to throw at you to wake you up. Spices and herbs do it for recipes, but in life, the answer is much more elusive.
An intriguing Journey with Yvonne Pat Wright into her life of heartbreak, disappointment and despair and how she found her way to fulfilment and purpose through a love she never thought she would find.
From Spice to Eternity is a compilation of inspirational stories drawn from personal life encounters while living on two islands: Jamaica and Britain . Stories of tears, loss and grief are balanced by joyous, exciting and triumphant tales, which above all, demonstrate the unrelenting and indefatigable love of God.
What does “spice” have to do with it? Much indeed. Each chapter is framed within the context of cooking with herbs and spices -a fitting metaphor for exploring and finding out how the common garden herb Rue ties in with the Jackson Five brothers, or what Rosemary does Rosemary have to do with faithfulness.
Excerpt
Rosemary: Nearly all spices and herbs have legendary stories connected with them. The same goes for Rosemary which is associated with the Virgin Mary. It is said that in her flight from Egypt, she draped her blue cloak on a bush, then laid a white flower on top of it. The legend goes on that the flower turned blue, causing the bush to be called, from then on, the ‘Rose of Mary’. That name has been since contracted to Rosemary.
Rosemary wreaths were woven into the hair as it was believed to strengthen the brain and enhance memory. It was also known as a symbol of fidelity.
The piquant flavour of Rosemary blends well with garlic to season lamb roasts, roast chicken, meat stews, and marinades. Rosemary also enlivens lighter fish and vegetable dishes.
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It seems logical that this spice which is a symbol of fidelity, should also be thought to strengthen the brain and enhance memory. Couples, employers and friends place great emphasis on faithfulness to consolidate their relationship. We cherish the memories of faithfulness. But no matter how hard we try, there comes a time or situation when humans fail in their efforts to be faithful, and usually this is when the person relying on them needs them most.
I stood looking at the lifeless form of my daughter stretched out on a mortuary slab, feeling numb with disbelief. Only ten hours ago we had spoken and she was her usual bubbly self. We laughed and joked and looked forward to seeing each other during the upcoming weekend.
How could she be dead? Destroyed by, senseless violence. As the pain gripped my heart, I thought that I would never be able to smile again. The pain was not just for myself, but for her sister who loved her with a special bond, and for her children who had lost the light of their life.
Nothing that any of us had experienced before prepared us for this unbelievable moment of pure grief.
For several days, there was always someone close by to attend to us with the most incredible acts of kindness, care and compassion.
Life had to return to normal. But the pain continued, seeming to readjust itself outside of the spotlight of onlookers. I remember praying, not to understand what had happened, not to know how to begin to put life together again, but rather to know how to handle the pain that came in waves, knocking me almost senseless, causing me to walk around in a daze.
Slowly, over time, I began to notice that when the pain came it did not have that sharp knockout effect. I sensed rather than felt, a presence that brought peace and comfort, which I soon realized was the Spirit of Jesus.
I remembered His promise –
‘Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am Thy God; I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.’ Isaiah 41:10. KJV.
Jesus had faithfully been there with me, when all others had gone, and He stayed with me when I had to deal with my daughter’s lost and alone boys, searching for answers as to why their mother was gone.
Their aunt and I did everything we knew, to create a semblance of normality, showering them with love.
The boys reached out for the comfort of Jesus, surrendered their lives to Him and requested baptism.
I knew then that they too felt His comforting presence that came and stayed with them.
Oftentimes, over the years, I have wandered down paths where the waves of pain returned with such force, it knocked me off my feet, leaving me without even a prayer. Then came a calm that I knew was Jesus. Gently and faithfully He reached out to me. Tenderly He wrapped me in His love and I would get past the latest wave of grief.
Through death and loss, on dark days, in places where no human could reach, I discovered supreme faithfulness.
‘Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.’ Deuteronomy 7:9. KJV.
Professional Reviews
From Spice to Eternity Jamaica's Yvonne Pat Wright
‘From Spice to Eternity’ is an all access pass to the writer’s life, one that has been through many painful and tragic experiences but through strong faith in God , Yvonne ‘Pat’ Wright shows us that we too can overcome.
She has creatively shared her passions, woven her stories and experiences with the teaching of the Bible combining the messages with the sumptuous delights of herbs and spices from all over the world; spices that have brought blessings, healing and strength to the body , mind and most of all, the spirit.
This is a strong link to her unique Jamaican culture - the island of the world’s great sprinters, musical icons and freedom fighters, many of whom can claim their success and achievements in the delights of those spices that like the ‘word’ bring help to maintain their own good health.
‘From Spice to Eternity’ is an easy to read page turner. The recipes are simply displayed as she weaves a tapestry that links them with the strong and various religious messages .
Each story is a lesson that all of us can identify with, if not personally , through the people we interact with daily. It’s a book to be enjoyed and one that will entice you to experiment with some of those delightful mouth watering recipes which you won’t find anywhere else but on those pages.
A highly recommended read!
Reviewed by: Lois Grant- Communications Consultant, Corporate Image Communications, Kingston, Jamaica. Tel: 876 -815-0818
