“I’d never would’ve made it this far without you” is a straight-up testimony that resonates with me.
There were many days when I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, but my eyes were open. My limbs were agile. My heart was beating. I had breath in my lungs.
God did it, and why, I may never know, but I’m so glad he keeps doing it.
This dropped in my spirit during my workout on my Gospel workout mix, and maybe it’ll work for you, too.
I feel like I’m not the only one who needs to be reminded — who really needs to know that God hasn’t given up and will not give up on you.
A writing buddy had the above book delivered to me on Saturday, September 13, 2025. I’d viewed my camera/doorbell’s activity while I was visiting with my mother and noticed someone leaving a package. I hadn’t ordered anything, so my mind began racing about what it could be. Shortly after, I recalled a lovely and talented writing friend of mine requesting my mailing address; confirming it, really, and a lightbulb flickered.
Part of me wanted to get home to see what it could possibly be, and the other part of me wanted to remain right where I was with my mom, so as to not shed any more tears for the weekend.
I was happy to see the above book. Although I would mark the age range for this book for children, ages 4-12, anyone can benefit from reading Dog Heaven. It gave me all the feels and lifted me up during my deepest moments of sorrow.
After recently losing my sweet Little Monster of 17 years, I came home from visiting my mom and found this book at my door.
A writing buddy of mine had it sent to me. Knowing my connection and love for my dog, she thought it would be the perfect gesture. Someone she knows had the same book delivered to her shortly after she dealt with the loss of her dog.
Dog Heaven not only made me smile, but it calmed my heart. It allowed me to shed a few tears while reflecting on the best memories I have of my time spent with my little one. It made me believe my purpose was fulfilled with my dog.
Chock full of happy feelings, sweet illustrations, and a loving storyline for everyone to enjoy, Dog Heaven is a great book to gift to someone grieving and dealing with a fresh loss of their pet.
It’s a tiny glimmer of hope, sprinkled with joy, and wrapped in love.
Grief is going to continue to come in waves. Mourning will only be as beautiful and self-serving as I will allow it, but this book… this book helped me immediately after the change in my life felt like real change.
If you know anyone dealing with the loss of their pet, I recommend this book. It is truly near and dear to my heart now, and I could not have asked for anything better.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.
a stranger cupped my hand in hers at the curb of the crosswalk, and looked at me pleadingly.
I am funny about touch if I don’t know you, and sometimes even when I do, but I knew something was wrong when I saw her eyes dancing like they were running away from terror.
I tilted my head and leaned into her personal space and smelled fear. caution warned me not to turn around, so I didn’t, but I could hear him breathing.
a cop–woman, stood by her cruiser a block away, and sitting shotgun was her partner. I looked at her, raising my tethered hand, and then looked at the silent woman, and the cop knew.
the man started running as soon as their eyes locked. the silent woman sat in the backseat, and closed the cruiser’s door.
I walked two blocks home, dangling my hand at my side, twiddling my fingers, feeling the lonesome lack of the woman’s grip.
I prayed for her safety as my pulse quickened.
This was my dream from last night. I hope it isn’t a premonition or a vision into what will happen.
we’re all just moving about robotically; carrying years of hurt on our backs.
our scrabbly efforts have done nothing to alleviate the pain.
forced to exist in a world of crafted terror, the light at the end of the tunnel f a d e s.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
AI-Generated Image: A Black woman with braids sitting at a desk with a sad expression on her face.
carillon
her voice, to me, is like a carillon, played at the right moment to dazzle my heart and strengthen my mind.
I miss our daily conversations, our intent on building, bonding, and brewing through words.
a funk came and she’s been under it, in it, for over a month, and now it feels like she won’t get through it, and my heart sobs for the woman I once knew.
but I know how important it is to best our demons, and there’s no timeline for this. I’m here whenever, if ever she reappears.
AI-Generated Image: Birds singing while on the rooftop of an apartment building, just as the sun rises.
hornswoggled without consent
morning comes out of the blue, and I feel like I’ve been hornswoggled into daytime without consent.
the birds’ church has been open since 0430, and I have no clue who the minister is, but I am now holding them responsible for the ruckus the choir is making. although in perfect harmony, as always, I would have loved fifteen more minutes of deep sleep.
but when nature lives right outside your window, you’ll either call it peace or chaos, and currently, I’m on the fence. so, I’m naming it peaceful chaos until further notice.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
holes come at unexpected times, bearing down on weary hearts–taking our last moments of peace.
the strong hold on–ending the fight before it’s time can place a wrinkle in the waves of life.
we grit our teeth and lean into every storm until we ache from years of battling–the war, never-ending.
the pull is a place we find ourselves lagging in navigation, stuck on fear, and when we stay there too long, it becomes home.
the key to remembering how to escape is to grab the closest thing to you and lasso it to your beating heart–give it the life it has no chance to steal,
and watch it falter before your eyes. you’ll defeat it, and it won’t ever see it coming.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
A Cornered Gurl 
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