Thank you Susi Bocks for allowing me to write for The Short of It. The Short of It along with I Write Her, are a wonderful place where authors share their hearts with words. Please check out other authors that Susi of I Write Her has highlighted. They have amazing talent.
And as always, remember to be kind.
We all find ways to soothe the bombardment of life as it seems to run over us at times. For me, I write it all down. Some of it makes sense, some never does but writing combined with my love of nature and dogs helps me continue to go forward.
I am currently working on book 2 of Smiles from Heaven, independently published with Kindle of Amazon. It is a compilation of short stories and poetry that I hope help brings smiles to the reader. I now the stories helped me as I wrote them, sometimes laughing at my own thoughts sometimes crying at the reality of the hurt. I thought I would periodically publish one here to see what those who read my blog think. I do not profess to fully understand poetry, I am just writing my thoughts hoping to relate to others. Hope you enjoy.
Peace in Wildlife
The water from the fall mixed with her tears
Rolling down her face, joining her fears
The niche in the rock behind the fall
Made a hiding place behind a water wall
Coming here often to process and think
Analyzing her life when it would stink
The noise of the fall soothed her pain
Blocking out voices calling her name
By the fall’s edge, where the water is calm
Flowers grow wild as a soothing balm
Reminding us through difficulties in life
Peace and joy can be found in wildlife.
G. A. Neal
I sincerely hope you can find away to find that peace you need to survive this world and may you always remember some of it can be found in being kind. Kindness has a way of turning negatives into positives.
Last night before the sun was fully gone, the moon was rising in a clear sky and was beautiful as it shone through the tree. I took its picture and thought I would try to write a little poem about it as I work on my writings for book 2 of Smiles from Heaven. See what you think.
The sun loses the last of its light against the tall tree,
You, dear moon, shine your light for all of us to see.
It comes through the branches which softens your glow
Bringing a smile of hope and peace to us below
But you, dear moon, don’t show a face of cheer
Do you sing a sad lament while your eyes shed a tear?
Come now, our dear precious moon above
God has created us all to feel His precious love.
G. A. Neal
If you read my blog then you probably know I am an “indie” writer. I do it for fun and hopefully to help people smile. I would appreciate it if you would think about buying one of my books.
“Smiles from Heaven” is now available for purchase in paper book or Kindle at Amazon. I got my copies today.
It is a book of short stories, micro writings, and a smattering of poetry about the things that make us smile or remind us of God smiling down on us. All of my writing tries to encourage the reader for I feel we can all use encouragement.
I thank you in advance if you do purchase one. And I close as always reminding everyone of the beauty and power of kindness.
I am honored to be part of “The Short of It” group of writers who share their work with each other. Come follow Susi Bocks as she shares her writing and many others with poetry, microwritings, and fun ways to play with words.
And as always, I remind to to be kind. You never know who may need your kindness.
As we start this new day and this new week, lets us enjoy the beauty of it. Not only in what we see but with all of our senses. Below is another snippet from Smiles from Heaven, hope you enjoy.
A New Day
The early dawn broke quietly across the meadow. Dew was heavily laden bending the leaves downward toward the ground. As the sun crested the horizon, the flower faces turned towards it. They soaked in its warmth causing the dew to slip from the leaves. When it splashed to the ground, the sound awakened the sleeping chipmunks to another day of fun adventure. The first one poked his head out to see the beauty of a bright blue sky with the sun skipping through the branches creating patterns of shadow on the ground.
By the time the second chipmunk came to the surface, the birds were starting their symphony of song awakening anything else that was not yet awake.
They all knew that each new day was a gift from God allowing all of creation a brand-new start, a new chance to share kindness, a new hope that all is well. And a reminder that God’s love is always there.
May you have a beautiful new day surrounded with gentleness, love, and kindness. Share your kindness to make it even more beautiful.
Always Be Kind…to all kinds.
February 6, 2024, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something lost now found. Is it an object or person who is lost? How are they lost? What happens when what was lost is found? Go where the prompt leads!
I have seen some fun stories because of the prompts from Carrot Ranch and thought I would come play. I just happen to have a short story about lost and found so I just cut it down to fit. Hope you enjoy it.
Lost & Found
David turned to Laura. “I’ve read stories where people are visited by dead relatives.”
“Where are you going with this?” Laura asked.
“This was the walking stick that Mr. Cedric was using with Jenny. It looks like Dad’s. His stick is missing. He has been dead four years.”
“Seriously? His name was Jonathan.”
“Jonathan Cedric.”
“Jenny, do these pictures look like Mr. Cedric that you saw today?’
“Maybe. He is not that old. Maybe he is kin to us or something?
David looked at Laura. “Maybe, I am just thankful he found you and led you back to us.”
I close with my reminder of sharing kindness. You may never know if your kindness will be a light to help someone find their way home.
When I retired, I needed something to do, I don’t sit very well So I started blogging. Some of the writing challenges I participated in made me understand how much I like writing stories, so I started writing a book. I remember reading from a season writer/teacher that you should throw away the first three things you write because it takes you that long to hone your skills. Now looking back on it he was right to a degree. Keep the ideas but trash the work and start over.
After spending way too much money going through a publishing firm, I discovered indie writing. Thank you Susi Bocks. Now I can explore my writing without a huge price tag through Amazon Kindle Publishing. My goal is not to make mounds of money but to share my thoughts and encourage others. I buy my books and give them to my friends or anyone needing a little encouragement. In doing this I have found that short stories are the most fun, keeping you focus on just a few pages at a time, then on to the next idea. I have been so busy writing these little stories over the past year, that I have not been writing much here, so I thought I would share a few shorter ones with you.
Excerpts from Smiles from Heaven to be published Spring 2024.
Essence of Pearl
Alone on the bench, Joe twisted his cane missing his sweet Pearl. She has been gone nearly two years now. Across the park, he saw children playing. He smiled as he remembered how Pearl would laugh as she made up stories about each child, even when she didn’t know who they were. Sadness engulfed Joe as he remembered her joy in doing this. Then in the back of his mind, he heard Pearl fussing. Don’t you be sad, Joe. Our joy comes from the Lord that lives inside each of us. Feel the joy.
Joe could not feel that joy today. Some days he could, but not today, on their anniversary. Then he heard a gentle voice.
“Hello.”
Joe looked up at a bright-eyed little girl whose smile was as bright as her eyes.
“Hello,” said Joe smiling.
She pulled herself up and sat on the bench with Joe.
“It’s a pretty day,” she said.
“It is.”
“Today is special. Every first Saturday of the month is ice cream day. I get to sit here while my mom goes into that shop to buy ice cream. See, here comes Mom now.”
“Come on, Pearl,” called Mom. “I have your favorite.”
“I’m Pearl, by the way. It’s been nice chatting with you. Maybe I will see you next month. Gotta go, but remember to be happy.”
“I will,” said Joe. The joy he once knew was being rekindled again by a different Pearl. He knew in his heart that his sweet Pearl probably had something to do with this encounter today and he smiled.
In my new book, Smiles from Heaven, I hope to make it a series of encouraging short stories that we all need to read once in a while. They deal with family situations, individual situations, nature, and of course dogs. I will probably always write about my dogs as they have been an encouragement to me with their goofy ways and their devoted love and kindness.
One of the easiest ways to be kind is with a warm smile. Try to always be kind regardless of the turmoil inside. It reflects your inner beauty.
Sammie Cox has thrown out a challenge that fits right in with a story I am writing, so I thought I would share this snippet.
She fidgeted in the chair waiting for her doctor’s appointment. Her thoughts were rampant on the possibilities of the outcome. Had she not had enough to deal with already with her husband being killed in a car crash last month? What now? How was she going to handle it if her best friend was right? She was alone. How in the world could she raise a child by herself? Is this a dreaded mistake or a blessing? Before we panic, let’s get the results of this appointment.
We never really know what battles people are facing so always be kind.
If you would like to live in a perfect world (that we hope one day will be real) my latest book is out through Amazon, Life in Small Town. A fictional town of encouragement where with a little kindness to those who need it most, learn how to survive life’s disappointments.
If you have Kindle capabilities, you can get it on the Kindle.
This book tries to show how easy it is to be kind and how we should all strive towards the healing powers of kindness. Yes, we still have hard times and conflicts but with the help of others, through kindness, we can survive.
Since the beginning of creation, God has laid before man choices to make. Choices that have the ability to make us stronger in love for Him, for other people, and choices to help us survive in this fallen world.
Small Town shows how with the help of friends, family, or maybe even a total stranger, the hard situations we find ourselves in can be made a little more tolerable. It involves struggles for adults, for children, with coworkers, and yes, even for dogs. All of creation was created by love with God, for God, and for us to find the love He has for each of us with kindness and support of each other.
I hope this fictional town helps show how kindness can be a factor in finding peace as God intended as he told us in John 14:27…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. NIV”
In 1 Corinthians 13:4, Apostle Paul remind us the power of love and kindness…
“Love is patient, Lone is KIND.” NIV
So, check out my new book and see if it help bring you a smile and helps you see how kindness can bring a healing power to a hurting world. And as always, please be kind.
For the Love of 
