Black Thursday

November 26, 2014October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

I am happy to admit, my Christmas shopping is done and every gift wrapped! I know, some of you are envious, others think I’m a bit type A (maybe a little). But here is the truth. I can’t stand Black Friday, oh wait I meant Black Thursday! Yep, our generous retailers are doing us a favor – moving Black Friday to Thursday, Thanksgiving night no less. The one day families like to gather and show thanks for all life has brought, is this year turning into a race for the bargain. To hell with giving thanks. I’ll be thankful after I elbow my way to that great savings deal on the shelf. It’s a scam.

According to Tiffany Hsu of the LA Times, “The weekend is crowded with misleading promotions, including deceptive discounts off misstated “original” prices and deals that could have been had a year earlier, according to NerdWallet.”

And Suzanne Kapner of The Wall Street Journal explains it well in her article, The Dirty Secret of Black Friday ‘Discounts’.

We, dear consumers have been duped. I’ve been backing away from Black Friday for several years but when it became Black Thursday, I said, “Enough.” I know some will say, “I love it. I get up at 3:00 am and it’s a blast, puts me in the Christmas spirit.”

Yeah…if one considers obnoxious, belligerent, elbowing, rude-ass people fighting over toys or parking spaces a mood setter for Christmas. More power to you.

Me? I shall be kicking my heels up on the ottoman, in front of a fire, and enjoying a hot hottie or two.

Oh, might I suggest you wear extra padding, those elbows get pretty sharp.

Dream Reader (Part 3): Sweet Cooper

October 5, 2014October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

Daily Post

Blogging 101 Challenge : publish a post for your dream reader, and include a new-to-you element in it (Post 3 of 3 in this series).

I pushed away the doctor’s recommendations. “It isn’t time,” I said. I couldn’t bring myself to accept the truth of what my eyes were seeing. I did everything. Then you said, “No more.” You refused your medications, and soon there was no denying the truth.

I held on because I couldn’t let go.

Six months after our last conversation with the doctor, I made the call. You were always most at rest in my arms even on the worse days and I wanted to be there holding you. I wanted you to feel loved as you finally found the peace your body sought.

I had no idea what it would be like. It was not peaceful. The sedation confused and frightened you. Things happened as if in slow motion. I was in a hell of my own making. Unable to stop the suffocating avalanche bearing down on us, all I could do was hold you. Try to calm and comfort you as best I could, and let you know you were loved and not alone.

I hope you remember my arms around you, the stroke of my hand against your face, the loving touch of your dad, and my voice as I sang softly to you. I pray those are the last things you remember from that day. I pray the memories of me, your dad, and our family are with you now and that your days are filled with joy. I hope the sounds of the laughter remind you of us.

Above all other gifts, you sweet, sweet Cooper were the most precious I ever received.

I always tried doing what was best for you. I realize on that day, I failed and I will forever regret my actions. It should have been on your terms, when you decided. Curled up together on the sofa, I could’ve held you, sung softly, and you would’ve known peace, love and gentle parting.

I will never make that mistake again. Your precious sister, who misses you terribly, is well, happy, and safe.

Things will be different for Piper. When the time comes, she will tell me. I will wrap my arms around her in love, and remember you, I promise.

Saying I’m sorry isn’t enough, but you deserved at least that much. We loved you more than these few words can say, and I want you to know Cooper, you were, a delight to have in our lives. We will never forget the way you hated to have your picture taken, loved boating and fishing, or the excitement you brought to Christmas.

For twelve years you gave us unconditional love and more joy than I’ve ever known. I am forever grateful and humbled to have had the privilege to be your human mom.

I will love you always,

Mom

Letter in the Attic

September 20, 2014October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Writing 101 @ Daily Post : Prompt

Be Brief

You discover a letter on a path that affects you deeply. Today, write about this encounter. And your twist? Be as succinct as possible.

I sat and stared at the words in my hand. How did I not know this? Why did mom not tell us? I rummaged through the rest of the chest looking for more evidence, nothing. My legs gave way onto the hard floor.

I glanced at my sister going through the boxes across the attic. Mom was gone, no one else had to know.It would destroy Kara and raise more questions than answers. She’d hate me if I didn’t tell her. Wouldn’t she? I always wondered about her features. Mom said they came from Aunt Hattie.

Damn you mom.

Delayed Contact – Healthy Debates

September 20, 2014October 21, 2016 / Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

Daily Post Prompt : Delayed Contact

How would you get along with your sibling(s), parent(s), or any other person you’ve known for a long time — if you only met them for the first time today?

It took months of fighting closed adoption records, filing court documents, and combing through the ancestry.com site before the first name came to light. I’d spent more than fifteen thousand dollars of my savings trying to find the sister I never knew I had. To say I felt the world tilt on its axis to discover I had two siblings instead of one would be an understatement.

I spread the pictures and information across my dining room table. Straight from Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn, I’d gathered the latest photographs. My hands trembled as I read, highlighting the fine print on each printout. Are they anything like me? Would we have anything in common?

Sarah – lives in California, married with three grown children, two grandchildren, retired from… hmm doesn’t say. Oh, she’s writer, like me. I made a note to research publications. Political views: Democrat, Religion: Agnostic. Ugh.

Melba – small town not far from me, divorced with two children, one grandchild. Nothing on work. Political views: Democrat, Religion: Baptist. Oh Good Lord, she must be into a ton of cause crap. Every banner known to man is on her FB page.

I leaned back in my chair and stared at their faces. I could see the resemblance physically, but the more I read on their numerous public profiles, the more digging I did, the photos I pulled up, I saw less and less we had in common. My God, I was a conservative, southern woman, Republican, a christian, and believed in traditional family values. And, unless it was supporting the Constitution or curing cancer, don’t call me about a cause.

I wasn’t so sure anymore we would get along or like each other should we meet. Just because we had the same genetic makeup? The sum of who we are is more than genetics. Hell, we’re all in our late fifties and early sixties. Would they be up for some healthy debates? Cause I could definitely see some in our future.