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 :)
Stories (344)
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I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (Teenager in the 70's)
By the time I was twenty-five I had four children. They came from three different fathers. Two of whom, I had married. And one had never seen his child. How did this happen in my life? What storm brought this in from afar? For the past two days, after another forty years of just living the life, I have been digging into introspection, trying to put my thoughts down and to figure this out for myself.
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Humans
Get a Tat? Good idea???
I don't have a tattoo. I've never really wanted a tattoo. I've considered the pros and cons, the merits involved, and I've pondered if having one would somehow prove a personal point or change me in some way. So, I have been deliberate in my decision. And please know that my choice to not have one was not predicated on any fear or bigotry about them or the people that have chosen differently than I did.
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Blush
Generational Forgiveness
My mother pulled me out of May Day 1963 games in elementary school that early afternoon because she was packed and leaving my father. We were headed for a long ride on the Greyhound Bus from Shreveport, Louisiana. It was the first I heard of this change to our lives. I did not have time to think or to feel. I just had time to get on the bus and go. It shouldn't have come as a surprise. I had seen her crying. I had heard the fights between them. But I hadn't seen this coming.
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Families
I Fell In Love with "Summerland"
I was delighted to learn that a few theaters around our city were now "somewhat" opening after the horrid Covid 19 isolation. Oh, how I'd missed movies! So, anxiously, I looked to see my options. I also knew that my oldest son and I would be going together. (Background: we both had been recently single-again in our lives and he was now living with me again.) I wanted to find something that we both would enjoy. So, I looked at the trailers of what was been played.
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Geeks
My Niece (So Proud)
I'm just gonna tell you...this girl, right here, has it all going for her. I'm not exaggerating one little iota, either. Just look at her. She's gorgeous. Look deeper and you will see just how sweet, humble, and smart she is, too. She's also a real life go-getter, highly competitive, and focused in academics, sports, and, of course, her diet and health. She posts her videos so others can "build a better you with me." She amazes me. I am her biggest fan. I think she has about 45 followers on her You Tube site as of date, but I expect that to grow exponentially. I believe in her teaching, her tips, and I just love her sense of humor. I know you will, to.
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Families
My Mama & Her Hot Water Cornbread
In the South, we have many, many cooking recipes that you probably have never heard about. One of them is Hot-Water Cornbread. I'm pretty sure you haven't seen them in restaurants, either... not even in Southern restaurants. But just the same, this delicious type of bread was a staple at our home.
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Feast
Industry versus Inferiority
Struggling with conflicts and choosing to be strong has been my life story. And probably yours, too. And my hope, if you are a parent (or teacher) reading this, you will try to understand the specific needs your child has at specific times in his/her life. Yes, a child has struggles. They need you!
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Education
Regions of my Heart
My sister gave me a fantastic gift for Christmas the year after our mother died. It was a DNA test kit! Oh, what fun discoveries we've made with it. Secrets and imaginings come vividly to life. Genealogy & Ancestry totally became two of my favorite topics, but I have added a third love to the mix because of them...Geography!
By Shirley Belk5 years ago in Wander
