Shirley Belk
Bio
Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, & Aunt who recently retired. RN (Nursing Instructor) who loves to write stories to heal herself and reflect on all the silver linings she has been blessed with :)
Achievements (1)
Stories (335)
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Hi Vocal !
I joined Vocal in July 2020. That's when I knew I would soon be retiring and would have extra time. Writing was something I really enjoyed in high school and in college. It was just on the backburner for me while my life took twists and turns. I wish that I had done more journaling in hindsight, but I took mental snapshots of memories along the way. Most of my writing reflects those snapshots. I suppose you could call the 93 stories I see that I have published here, my photo album.
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Motivation
(World Day of War Orphans) Write a story about a child orphaned by war.
I'll be honest. This prompt greatly conflicted me. First of all, I had no idea there was such a day alloted for orphan awareness. Secondly, I had never imagined that, in our world, the number of children that were collaterally damaged by war was so vast. I didn't know whether to be ashamed of my ignorance or angry; because now, with this knowledge, my innocence would be forever lost. My soul would demand that I learn more, pray more, do something, even ever so small.
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Poets
Next Year's Christmas Presents
It was the first weekend after New Years Day celebrations had passed, and as per her tradition, Janette began taking the decorations down to be packed and stored. But it was a little different this year and it was going to very different for her family next year.
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Fiction
Remembering My Mama
Dear Mama, Because you were born on January 3, 1929, I have decided to remember you especially on this day: J jacks you taught me how to play that game, and when I was older, you taught me canasta. You had a special way of shuffling those two decks of cards. In my mind, I can still see your hands doing that.
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Poets
Sharing The World Introvert Day with my Sister, the Extravert
The second day of January always belongs to my sister, Kitty. She was born on that day, so I must celebrate the world's day set aside for introverts with her! She is the furthest creature from an introvert that could ever be. That is my role. So, the sharing is perfect. I will have to share an imaginary day with her because, you see...we live in two different worlds, it seems.
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Poets
I Can't Let January Go By
Darlene, my oldest cousin, was born on January 1, 1944. Being a decade older than myself, she always seemed smarter and wiser than me. She tolerated me about half the time, another fourth of the time she truly spent caring for me in her own special ways, and the last fourth of time spent in her presence, she could be downright mean and nasty. I was the oldest of my own siblings, so having her in my life seemed to teach me some of her bully traits, so that I could pass them over to my younger brother and sister when necessary. But it also taught me not to be quite as harsh in the unleashing.
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Families
Missionaries in America
*What is a Christian Missionary? "A Christian missionary is a person who dedicates his or her life to fulfilling the Great Commission: to preach the Gospel, baptizing and making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20)...When we typically think of missionaries, we tend to imagine individuals or families going to Africa or heading to China or going to an unreached people group in a remote locale." https://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-missionary.html
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Psyche
After R.I.P. of 2023
When I think of new beginnings, I first have to put to rest the old man of my life, those patterns and habits that kept me together in the sometimes treacherous days I survived the year before. Some of my patterns and habits are consistently bad and some are occasionally brilliant for repairs of the collateral damage I have accrued. So, along with the facing off of my enemies from within and without, I must make appraisal as to what is valuable for me to retain. So, in my estimation, a new beginning is a difficult task. I don't like being moved or challenged or changed. Do you? Does anyone really?
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Poets
