Susan Schirl Smith

This has been the truth in nursing for decades. The administration of healthcare facilities need to stand up for their employees, but they don’t. The stories shared with me from some young nurses I know mirror my own experiences from decades ago.

Truth. This is long past a difference in political perspective. It is a difference in fundamental humanity and moral values.

My magical little cat knew something was wrong with me before I or the medical community did. They are brilliant creatures.

When you accidentally plant flowers that the hummingbirds love. #nature #hummingbird #newhampshire

Statue of Liberty

Climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty was on my bucket list for decades. My latest essay @kindovermatter reveals the reasons why, and why those reasons matter more today. kindovermatter.com/climbing-to-...

Let's see. My dad had lung damage from asbestosis when he passed. Likely he brought the toxin home with him, with health impacts on all the family. This is horrific.

One Tin Soldier - Kind Over Matter Music has the power to transport us to different times and places. Songs from long ago, written to mirror the times in which they were created, often have the power to resonate in other societal situa...

Given the world we're living in, a song from decades ago keeps playing in my head. One Tin Soldier is a protest song from decades ago. My latest essay at Kind Over Matter discusses how the meaning still resonates today.

The world seems infinitely unkind these days. How do we remain who we are, remain kind in these times? My latest essay at Kind Over Matter.
kindovermatter.com/kindness-in-...

Loved it!

So many relationships have ended because of this.

Putting On Your Own Oxygen Mask First: Mindful Self-Care - Kind Over Matter These are chaotic times in the world. Whatever your perspective might be, it is clear that there is unrest and stress for all of us. The news stories describe one tragedy after another, one expression...

In these times of chaos, remember to take care of yourself. My essay at Kind Over Matter.

PSA: A family member works in the National Parks in search and rescue. She might be the only person left with advanced life support training in her vast location. Most other staff are being fired. You might want to think twice about going to one of the parks. If they're still open at all.

My grandcat enjoying the couch I made him. If only we could all be so relaxed.

Finding Joy - Kind Over Matter The holiday season has always been a favorite of mine. The twinkle of lights illuminating a cold winter night. The sounds of holiday songs that my family would sing in harmony when I was young. The ga...

Though this is a bit belated, given the world we are living in right now, finding joy in our daily lives is essential. kindovermatter.com/finding-joy/

My friend and writing colleague has written a fabulous book about a team of Soccer Grannies in South Africa. It is a story of resilience, community and connection. Wonderful that the story is reaching a wider global audience!

As someone named Susan, I have decided to call them "rotating Sally" for the foreseeable future.

Happy to join this brilliant journal!

How have we forgotten simple human kindness, forgotten empathy? No matter what it is that you’ve chosen for a career, where you live, we are all humans just trying to live a life. My heart is with all the people and animals living through this horror.

The Little Things - Kind Over Matter It was just a Saturday trip to the home improvement store looking for potting soil, Christmas greens and a new head for the shower. To be honest, it is not my favorite location for shopping, even duri...

A recent essay at Kind Over Matter. The little things really are the big things, especially in these chaotic times.
kindovermatter.com/the-little-t...

Clearly not understanding the fragility of all our lives, our stability when a traumatic life event or health crisis can lead someone to being unhoused. Having had a beloved brother living on the streets many years ago, this is a very personal issue for me.

Our group has six members. It seems the right number for us, giving us time during our bi-weekly three hour meetings to check in, share whatever writing anyone has, and get feedback.

I often think that if I wrote my real life occurrences as fiction people would say, “Nah, that’s not believable.” Life, stranger than fiction.

I haven't seen it. But thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out.

I worked in hospital and community healthcare during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Not a book, but I published an essay about those times...
www.pangyrus.com/in-sickness-...

My writing group started in a memoir class seven years ago. A lot of life happened in that time, as we all lived the writers’ life. Our group essay, looking at the things left unsaid in the process, published at: porterhousereview.org/articles/lef...

Much love to you as well!

Many years ago, my beloved brother was living on the streets for a time. The unhoused are all of us, one crisis, one challenge away from being in the same position.

Writer, photographer, sometimes artist here!