I submitted a personal essay that I wrote to a national magazine for publication. It was rejected. I've been assured by someone-in-the-know that I got an "awesome rejection letter" so that made me feel better. I wasn't really expecting it to be published, but I did think it turned out well, many thanks to my editor, and I wasn't really as disappointed as I would have thought I would be. I did harbor my secret fantasies about it catapulting me to instant fame, success, and an appearance on Oprah, but it was not to be. I'm not really looking for condolences or encouragement I just thought that I should somehow mark my first attempt at publication. And no, none of you can read it.