The little black book
The angel in human form
Her name was Gailene. She had brown hair and bright green eyes. Her green eyes had a dark blue ring around them. She was the most beautiful nurse that worked in the ICU floor. She had been working as an ICU nurse for over 10 years so she had seen almost everything you can think of. But a pandemic is not something she was prepared for. The pandemic hit leaving all of the doctors to scramble and nurses even more discombobulated as they were there to help pick up the pieces the doctors missed. "Nurses really don't get enough credit, do they?" Said the old man from his ICU bed to Nurse Gailene. She turned to him after reading his chart and said no but no one on this floor got into this type of work for the “credit" she said with air quotes. “If you meet a nurse on this floor it's because that was GOD's calling for them". The old man says to the young pretty nurse, “God definitely has a purpose and a plan for all of us doesn't he?" Gailene just looks at him and smiles. Her eyes drift back to his chart and she says “so covid hu? This virus sure is nasty. I keep praying for it to end but it keeps going, even though it’s ugly it must be part of some big plan we can’t see."
The old man says to her, "well I think part of God's plan was to bring me to you. I have lived a long full life. I made myself very wealthy. I have had 3 wives and I produced 3 very spoiled very ungrateful children but the only one to blame is myself. They watched me growing up. I set the examples that shaped who they are today. They have ugly hearts and they'll never be the ones to give back to society or help someone in need. It is my biggest regret in life. But you.... You were probably given every opportunity in life and yet you still chose to serve the greater good. You chose to follow God's path for yourself. That is admiral and it is that good hearted nature that cant be bought. I am just thankful that even with my life of shame I am not burdened with the karma of my sins on my death bed. I am going to die being taken care of by one of God's angels." She looks at him and smiles again and says “Oh, you don't know. You could still come out of this on top! Keep your spirits up." The old man says “Maybe" and then opens a little black book that has a small lead pencil enclosed in the crease. He grabs the pencil and positions his hand in a writing position on the black note book. He asks the nurse “what is your name again?" The Nurse says " Gailene, but you can call me Gayle for short. What are you writing down?"
The old frail man running out of breath from all of the conversation says “Oh you'll see, but not yet. You'll see in God's timing. "
This obviously leaves the nurse very curious but she goes on to check on her other patients. After she has done her rounds she comes back to check on the old man. He has become her new favorite patient. She enters the room to find that in her short hour away from him, he has passed away. Sadly this happens a lot with her ICU patients but this time it really bothered her. She had grown attached to him in her short amount of time with him. She just naturally felt a strong connection to him. She then picks up the black notebook in his hands. It's open to the page he was writing on when she left his room. She reads it aloud. Dear Angel sent from heaven, Or Gailene as us humans call you. This is my will and testament that I am of sound mind in writing this will. I leave all of my money, all of my possessions, all of my properties to you. I know this may come as a shock but if anyone deserves to inherit my fortune it is you. Please use this fortune more wisely than I did in my time here on earth. I pray you use this to help others as you already do every day and I pray you spend a little on yourself. After all even angels need a vacation sometimes. winky face.
With love , Your covid patient.
Gailene puts down the notebook and tears fill her eyes. In a matter of only a few moments not only had her life changed completely but so did his. So in a way he will always be with her. They will share this life changing moment for an eternity.
About the Creator
Jessica Silverthorn
fictional writer. Experienced in life and all of the above.
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The Barn Owl
The sun had already set as the moon started to take control of the sky, As she lay there in her bed reading a book as she always does before bed, she hears a strange sound. A sound she has never heard before in her 10 years of living in the desert. It sounds like ‘ whooo, wwww’ almost sounds like a human voice getting caught in the wind. She puts her book down to listen more intently hoping the sound reappears. A few minutes go by and again she hears “whoo-whoo ww” . “It is an owl!” she says aloud as she thrusts her book down against the bed. So excited by the sound she accidentally closes her book without a bookmark, losing her place in the book. 10 years ago, Sarah moved out to the desert. I am talking way west. Where it’s just you and hundreds of miles of nothing. Cactuses and a few buzzards hunting for lizards, woodpeckers pecking cactuses for a drop of water. Sarah moved to the desert to get away from society. She needed a place to clear her mind and reset her soul. She decided to pick a place that would keep her 100 miles away from a human. She also loved chasing the weather and watching the weather so what better place to watch Lightening strike the ground over and over again. The even better part is that she did not have to share this magical view with anyone. It was as if the Gods had created this magical ongoing art exhibit just for her. She felt in tune with the universe and herself in the desert. As time went on, she grew to love the solitude and beauty so she decided to cut all ties with everyone she knew and stay out there in the middle of nowhere. Just the big sky and vast sand slash red dirt wonderland. She was set in her routines, even though she was freer than she had ever been before, she was still human and human nature always wins. She woke up at the same time every day, watched the sunrise, and ate breakfast looking out into the desert. Yoga, coffee, art, lunch, walk, meditate, eat, lay in bed, and read a book as the sun goes down. Nothing too out of the ordinary and certainly predictable. Sarah even knew what the buzzards and woodpeckers sounded like, what the crickets sounded like, and exactly what time they would chime in with their lovely “suns going down” melody. So to hear an owl after 10 years of never having heard an owl. She was surprised, to say the least and most excited to have something new introduced to her routine. She immediately went to her very extensive library to see if she had any books on owls. “Ah-ha!” She exclaims. She of course had 2 books on owls. After skimming both of them she was able to identify what kind of owl it was based on the “who’s” it made. A Barn Owl. “but how would a barn owl get all the way out here?” she thought to herself as she pushed her pointer finger into the bottom of her lip with her other hand on her hip. Deep in thought, she started thinking up all these possibilities. Sarah was always a very analytical person so she would often think through all possible scenarios when trying to find an answer for herself. “Maybe it was someone’s pet and it got out? Maybe I have a neighbor nearby that has a bird rescue or something where he keeps different kinds of birds.. Or maybe it was someone’s pet being transported by plane and it got dropped out of the plain, no that wouldn’t make sense bc the cage would be holding the bird in and would kill the bird on impact.. Hmmm. She thought to herself. I am getting pretty tired with all this new excitement. I should just go to bed and go out looking for it tomorrow. The next day comes and Sarah changes up her usual routine, eats breakfast, and then gets dressed to go exploring hoping to find the owl sleeping on a tall cactus somewhere. If I could just find him, I would get some answers she said aloud into an empty desert while throwing her hands up in the air and then letting them flop to her sides as she slumped her shoulders down and traveled onward. After a few hours of searching the desert, she still hasn’t seen an owl anywhere. Sarah starts to get hungry so she stops to take a break. She unpacks her bag and lays a blanket down on the ground so that she may meditate and then eat the small snack that she packed for herself. Sarah sits down with her legs crossed over, spine up straight and head pointed down with her eyes closed and hands resting on her knees. The typical meditation pose. Meditation was usually Sarah’s favorite part of the day. But not today. She could not focus so she quickly gave up and pulled out her snack, some water, and mixed nuts and seeds. She laid them out onto her blanket on top of the plastic bag she brought them in. She took a big drink of water out of her water bottle and then started picking at her seeds and nuts like a bird would do. Eating them one by one she hears a loud flapping noise and as she looks down at her nuts to grab the next bite she sees a very large shadow consume her entire blanket. Frightened by the alarming shadow she quickly tries to look up to see what or whom the large shadow belongs to. However, it all happens so fast that she cannot raise her head in time. Within a split second, there is a large owl sitting on her shoulder. With his large talons gripping her shoulder very tightly. Sarah feels fear and excitement at the same time. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh she says aloud in a very low voice to keep from scaring off the owl. She sits perfectly still trying to think of what she should do. The owl is very heavy so she knows she can’t sit perfectly still for much longer so she must think of something she can do that won’t scare off the beautiful mysterious bird. About that time, the owl hops off of her shoulder and onto Sarah’s blanket. He starts helping himself to Sarah’s trail mix. She smiles and says to the bird with a sigh of relief, “ you are hungry aren’t you? How did you get all the way out here? Don’t worry, help yourself. I’ve got plenty more trail mix at home. Here do you want some water?” Sarah then pours some water out of her water bottle into her hand and keeps her hand cupped like a bowl filled with water. The bird shows no interest in her hand full of water. He continues to pick at the trail mix. She pours out the water and continues to talk to the owl. “ I wonder if you have an owner somewhere worried sick about you? Or are you like me? Just a lost soul looking for some solitude somewhere new?”
By Jessica Silverthorn5 years ago in Petlife
Los Angeles Billionaire Moves to Nevada After California Threatens to Tax Wealth
When a prominent Los Angeles billionaire quietly packed up and moved to Nevada, it wasn’t just a personal lifestyle change — it was a political statement. The move came shortly after California lawmakers revived proposals to tax extreme wealth, targeting the state’s richest residents as a way to fund public services and address inequality. Now, that single relocation has become a symbol in a much larger debate: Do wealth taxes strengthen states — or drive their most valuable taxpayers away? The Trigger: California’s Wealth Tax Proposal California has long wrestled with how to fund its ambitious social programs while addressing widening income inequality. In recent years, progressive lawmakers have floated proposals to introduce a wealth tax, aimed at individuals with net worths above a certain threshold — often tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Unlike income taxes, which apply to yearly earnings, wealth taxes target accumulated assets such as stocks, real estate, and business holdings. Supporters argue that this approach ensures the ultra-rich contribute a fairer share to public infrastructure, education, and housing. Critics, however, warn that wealth taxes are difficult to enforce and easy to avoid, especially in a mobile economy where residency can shift across state lines. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move appears to validate those concerns. Why Nevada? Nevada has become a magnet for wealthy individuals — and the reasons are straightforward. The state has: No personal income tax No capital gains tax Business-friendly regulations A growing financial and tech services sector For high-net-worth individuals, relocating to Nevada can mean saving millions of dollars annually. For someone facing the possibility of a wealth tax layered on top of California’s already high income taxes, the financial incentive is hard to ignore. In this case, the billionaire reportedly established legal residency in Nevada, purchased property, and shifted business operations — all steps that tax experts say are increasingly common among ultra-wealthy Californians. A Broader Trend, Not an Isolated Case This move is far from unique. Over the past decade, California has seen a steady outflow of wealthy residents to states like Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. While climate, housing costs, and lifestyle play roles, tax policy has become a central factor. High-profile departures — from tech executives to hedge fund managers — often spark political backlash. Critics argue that the wealthy are abandoning the state that helped them succeed. Defenders counter that states should not penalize success to fund unsustainable spending. The Los Angeles billionaire’s relocation has once again brought this tension into the spotlight. The Political Reaction in California California lawmakers defending the wealth tax proposal insist that fear of capital flight is exaggerated. They argue that the state’s economic advantages — including access to talent, innovation hubs, and cultural influence — outweigh tax concerns for most entrepreneurs. Some lawmakers also point out that California already relies heavily on its highest earners, with a small percentage of taxpayers contributing a large share of total revenue. In their view, asking the ultra-rich to contribute more is not radical — it’s necessary. Opponents, however, see the billionaire’s move as a warning sign. They argue that when even a single wealthy individual leaves, the state can lose not only tax revenue but also investment, philanthropy, and job creation. What This Means for State Finances The departure of one billionaire may not immediately dent California’s massive budget, but the long-term implications are harder to ignore. Wealthy individuals often: Pay a disproportionate share of state taxes Fund startups and venture capital Support universities, museums, and nonprofits If enough high-net-worth residents follow the same path, critics warn, the tax base could shrink faster than lawmakers expect. Supporters of the wealth tax counter that public investment funded by higher taxes could improve quality of life for millions — potentially attracting new residents and businesses in the long run. A National Debate Over Wealth and Mobility This story extends beyond California. Across the U.S., states are competing for residents — especially wealthy ones. Tax policy has become one of the most powerful tools in that competition. While progressive states push for redistribution, low-tax states market themselves as havens for capital. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move underscores a key reality of modern economics: wealth is increasingly mobile. Assets can move digitally, businesses can relocate headquarters, and individuals can change residency with relative ease. This mobility complicates efforts to tax extreme wealth at the state level, fueling calls for federal solutions instead. The Ethical Divide At the heart of the controversy lies a philosophical question: Should wealthy individuals feel a moral obligation to remain and pay higher taxes in the states that enabled their success — or are they justified in seeking the most favorable financial environment? Supporters of wealth taxes argue that extreme inequality threatens social stability and that those who benefit most from the system should help sustain it. Opponents argue that punitive taxation discourages innovation and rewards capital flight, ultimately harming the very communities lawmakers aim to help. The billionaire’s move doesn’t settle the debate — but it sharpens it. What Happens Next? California’s wealth tax proposals are still evolving, and it remains unclear whether a final version will pass. Even if enacted, legal challenges and enforcement hurdles loom large. Meanwhile, states like Nevada are likely to continue benefiting from California’s policy uncertainty, attracting wealthy residents and businesses seeking predictability. For policymakers, the challenge is balancing fairness, revenue needs, and competitiveness in a system where borders are increasingly porous. Final Thoughts The Los Angeles billionaire’s move to Nevada is more than a headline — it’s a case study in how tax policy shapes behavior. It highlights the difficulty of taxing wealth at the state level and the unintended consequences that can follow even well-intentioned reforms. As California debates its economic future, one thing is clear: in a mobile, interconnected economy, policy decisions don’t just redistribute wealth — they redirect it. Whether wealth taxes become a solution or a cautionary tale will depend on how lawmakers respond to the signals already being sent.
By Muhammad Hassana day ago in Humans
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