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 (342)
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Good Reasons
According to vocabdictionary.com, a "good reason" means "a justification or explanation that is considered acceptable or valid." A further understanding: "A good reason is a logical basis or a righteous motive for making a decision or taking action. It implies that the reasoning is sound and can be universally accepted as appropriate."
By Shirley Belk2 months ago in Humans
Best Cotton Pickin' Behavior
When the Sally Field movie, Places in the Heart. came out via VHS tape in 1984, I was so excited to rent it for my family to watch. So, I gathered my mother and her two sisters together one afternoon and we popped the tape into the VCR. I'm sure we all had a cup of hot coffee (and they had their nasty cigarettes...eewe...but that's what they did in that generation.) I was thirty at the time and my children enjoyed any movie as long as there were snacks available or they busied themselves outside on their bikes. My aunt's husband, Uncle Bill was busy taking a long afternoon nap.
By Shirley Belk2 months ago in Chapters
The Hobo from California
I am from a family who made memories and saved memories. I found the non-descript small cardboard box, full of letters over ten years ago when I had inherited them. I'd known the letters were there because I had opened a couple to find out the overall topic/years written. The year was 1938. They were of love letters past between my mother's oldest sister, Louise, and her husband-to-be, Bill. I frankly felt a bit voyeuristic with my discovery, so put them aside for "another day." Today was that day!
By Shirley Belk2 months ago in Chapters
Winter! That's for the Birds
Winter is a word of warning to Southerners. Knowing it's coming whether we like it or not, we brace for it. Water pipes are covered, we give reminders to drip faucets if it's going to be 32 degrees F or below. Plants are brought inside. (Hopefully all fur babies, too.) Firewood is chopped and made ready to bring warmth and coziness.
By Shirley Belk2 months ago in Humans
Breakdown
Maybe I've had too much time on my hands of late, paired with an overwhelming mental health need to stay distracted. (It's a grief thing, but that is another story.) But that kind of leads me into why I fell into the writing of this story, so...I haven't been the best at keeping up with my readers of late.
By Shirley Belk2 months ago in Writers
I'm Blaming this on Jack!. Top Story - December 2025.
Hi Mom & Dad, Sending this with the utmost respect and love (and cowardice) rather than voicing it. I expect you to be both angry and disappointed in me in this decision of mine. Frankly, after all you've done for and sacrificed for me, I don't blame you, not even one little bit.
By Shirley Belk2 months ago in Writers
To the Man You Didn't Know
It's important for you to know a few things about your dad. Without a full measure of understanding, you just won't be able to get very far with only the parts you have been exposed to or what, in limited (and possibly jaded) opinions, have been filtered into your mind. All I ask, is that you will honor him now by having an open heart and a teachable spirit. He is the missing link, the generation between me and of you. I am offering a glimpse into what you might have missed, but owe to yourselves to take in.
By Shirley Belk2 months ago in Families
