Sherry Brackett, A Cancer Survivor, Now Inspires Others Through Her Photo Journal

Sherry Brackett has been on a long journey, one that many have taken and did not survive. Brackett, an author, and photographer had a near-death experience during her bout with cancer. After going through the illness, Brackett said life took on a "whole new meaning."
"It's like opening a present each day and discovering what is inside that gift," she said.
Brackett, who describes herself as a "real miracle," created a book titled, Mother Nature's Spiritual Gift to You: A Photographic Journal, to inspire others who are going through a severe illness or other types of life challenges. 

"The idea for this book came to me in two identical dreams within the same week," she continued. "I believe my book, Mother Nature's Spiritual Gift to You: A Photographic Journal, is an inspirational gift for anyone going through a serious illness or someone (who) just needs a bouquet of warm and fuzzy thoughts."

Brackett, who specializes in nature photos, journals about her thoughts while providing breathtaking photos of Mother Nature. For instance, in her entry titled, The Stages of Life, she writes about the Cleome, more commonly known as the "spider flower":

This flower was something I had never seen before. I found it very fascinating because it displayed all phases of life. The tall, regal stem with its spearmint-like leaves burst with this bloom. You can see the beginning buds, the partially opened flower, the fully opened flower, then, the end of the flowers. It reminded me how alike – this flower and I. We two shared the same type of life span. If you look at the flower, you can see more life than death, for the new buds are already there to add more life. It sustains itself. I am reminded that I need to keep life budding and blooming so I, too, will survive.

In addition to Brackett's entries, there are spaces for readers to write their responses to the photos or share their musings about their own personal circumstances.

Brackett wants to offer hope to all who read her book. She writes, "Reading that journal will lift your spirits and help strengthen your courage to turn those negatives into positives." 

This is a book for those who are trying to cope with an illness and those who have survived. 

Mother Nature's Spiritual Gift to You

Click HERE to preview Mother Nature's Spiritual Gift to You: A Photographic Journal.

Help, I'm Stuck in the Middle of My Story! Now What?

Developing the middle of a story when you don't know what to write is like getting stuck in quicksand; you're sinking fast and don't know what to do. If this describes where you are now, then you are in good company. 

Anyone who has written an article, an essay, a short story, or a novel knows first-hand what you are going through now.

The middle part of a novel is where writers give up their hope of completing their manuscript because they are not sure how to move the story along and further develop the characters. However, do not give up. Although there are several paths you can take. The following tips may help you to move forward: 

A Book Not Just For Halloween: "2 Pleasantly Scary Stories For Children" by Winifred Parker

Winifred Parker enjoyed telling her grandchildren scary tales just as much as they enjoyed listening to them. 

In fact, her grandson, Vince, also asked her to tell him a story. His requests inspired Winifred to write, 2 Pleasantly Scary Stories For Children. And, to the delight of Vince and his sister Julia, Winifred made them characters in her book. 

2 Pleasantly Scary Stories For Children is a delightfully told and illustrated work that children age 6-11 would enjoy. 

In the first story, 8-year-old Julia O'Brien and her 14-year-old brother, Vince, walk their dog, Boomer, to a park not too far from their home. While enjoying their walk and meeting up with friends, Julia hears a cry for help. Julia, Vince, and others came to the aid of a boy found sitting along a path in the woods. The boy told the children:

Author Describes How Her Life Changed in "One Split Second"

One split second can change your life forever. Author Suzan Bryan Hoppe knew this all too well. As a wife, mother, insurance agent, and an active member of her church, Suzan's life was anything but boring. 

All was going well until one day, every parents' nightmare occurred: Her son, Danny, was involved in a serious accident that left him with a closed-head injury. Suzan described the tragedy in her non-fiction book, One Split Second. She and her husband, Doug, experienced the stages that families must go through in order to help their child heal. 

If that weren't enough, Suzan supported her husband, Doug, as he encountered lung problems, back surgery and open heart surgery. All the while, Suzan kept up her pace of helping family members, volunteering, attending head injury meetings, and working. 

At one point, she was preparing for a business trip to Indiana and was looking forward to relaxing and being with her friends. Before traveling to Indiana, she attended a trustee meeting at her church one evening. It was there that her head began to ache. Her headache continued when she got home. Suzan described that evening: 

Help Your Child Understand Angels With This Beautifully Illustrated Book

Young children have curious minds and sometimes ask us questions that we really have to think long and hard about before giving them an answer.

One topic youngsters often focus on is angels. "Who are they?" "Are they always with us now?" At times, children will say they actually have seen angels and talked to them.

If your child or grandchild is captivated by angels, then you may enjoy, Soar with the Angels: A Children's Book, by Cecilia R. Telles.

Along with beautiful illustrations, Telles uses questions and answers to delve into the subject of angels in a way that children would understand. For example, one question Telles poses is, "What do angels look like?" Telles answers, in part: 

There is not one thing on this earth that could possibly give you an idea of what an angel's radiant and glorious spirit could be like. God created these spirits, and therefore, they are like mirrors that reflect God's awesome love, God's heavenly beauty, God's holiness, and God's power.

Telles also writes: 

Angels are pure spirits. They have no bodies. Sometimes, God allows them to be seen, and they come to earth to help you. God will allow them to turn into any form in order to help you. 

Another question the book answers is: "Are angels smart?" Telles writes:

An angel's intelligence is much greater than ours. Since angels are so close to God, they are filled with His divine light, His knowledge, and His wisdom. With a single look, angels can clearly understand everything.

 
Telles describes angels as highly intelligent beings which is much greater than human intelligence. And, the reason why they are more intelligent is because of what God placed inside of them. Telles writes: 

Saint Thomas Aquinas tells us that angels gained all of their knowledge the minute God created them. This knowledge and super intelligence came from a supernatural light. God placed this light in them, and it continues to fill their intelligence.

Listen to an excerpt from the book: 

 

Adults will also enjoy this charming book on celestial beings and insightful answers that should satisfy young minds. For more information or to preview Soar with the Angels: A Children's Book on MANA's website, click HERE.

A Soldier's Book of Poetry

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Adrian Massey has a love for his country and a love for writing. The Michigan native and Eastern Michigan University graduate served two tours of duty in Iraq and continues his career in the military. 

Massey drew even closer to his pen during his first tour of duty in Iraq. Massey said the majority of his book, A Soldier's Poetic Response: A Slice of His Life was written while stationed in Iraq.

"I am a poet by life experience and Army Officer by trade," Massey writes on his blog.