Tomorrow is a New Day

By Janelle Sells

The story in this book shows how resilient and compassionate people can be. Regardless of the situation, we need to keep walking forward for ourselves and others that depend on us. Be thankful for what we have instead of only seeing what we have lost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Janelle Evelyn Sells
• Release date: Feb 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9785949735947

Book preview

Chapter 1

La Familia

It was a gloomy day for Australians. October 29, 1929, marked the demise of a well-flourishing economy and introduced the Australians to a life of cruel hardship that bordered on the near decimation of impoverished families. The Smiths were a joyous, well-sustaining family before the great depression hit their beloved country, and they were significantly impacted by it, even when they had nothing to do with it. As was their fate, so was the fate of many other struggling families in Australia that battled economic crises that had crash-landed on them overnight. No one was prepared for the ordeal ahead.

On this day, the Smith family, serenely oblivious and unaware of the events that had unfolded in the outside world, were busy going about their day like it was any regular Tuesday in their lives. Gilbert was ready to accompany his father, Harry, to the docks where they caught fish for the fisherman and loaded them onto ships. Gilbert was only twelve years of age but took to his job with the seriousness of a man who had been in the profession all his life. It was while the father-son duo worked tirelessly at the dock when a fellow worker came and informed Harry that the stock market in New York had crashed, resulting in the poor scrabbling for money.

It was disastrous news and had left Harry feeling distraught and greatly worried. He knew acutely well that if anything bad happened to the rich, it was the poor who had to suffer and make reparations. The rich had the advantage of getting away with their mistakes and putting the blame on the shoulders of the innocent, the poor. This was the way of the cruel world that Harry and Gilbert inhabited, along with a million other innocent souls.

Harry and Gilbert rushed back home, a feeling of hopelessness engulfing them every step of the way. Harry dashed towards the front gate and opened it in a restless hurry.

Darling, what is it? Said Enid, taken aback by the suddenness of her husband’s action. Haven’t you heard? Replied Harry. Heard what? The stock market in New York crashed. Billy told me a few hours ago. We’re doomed, Enid. Harry said, sinking into his chair. Enid walked toward her husband and embraced him in her soft arms. Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. We always do.

It was almost nighttime, and the food had yet to be served. Enid had made a soup and served it with bread, just like she had done the morning before. The children, Gilbert, Ivy, and Lily, had gotten used to eating this meal as their breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day, every day.

There were some exceptions, of course. When Harry would bring home more money than his usual wage or when the fisherman he worked for decided to give him extra money because he had sold more fish that day. It was all luck-dependent. The day Harry would bring more money home, Enid would cook cream chicken and biscuits for the children. The children would savor every bite because they knew it would be long before they got to eat another decadent meal like this. This is yum, mum. Ivy once remarked while eating the cream chicken Enid had made eons ago. Ivy was eleven years and was the middle child. She loved to draw and would often collect any scraps of paper she could get her hands on to draw on later. She was impeccable in her art and aspired to be an artist when she grew up, though she wasn’t aware of this just yet. Lily was the youngest of them all, aged ten. Lily was a shy and reticent child and was her father’s favorite. Harry loved her the most of all his children, not because she was the youngest, but because she was also the more sensitive and caring one. Gilbert was the only son Harry and Enid had, but they never spoiled him.

On the contrary, though being so young, Gilbert realized the mountain of responsibilities on his shoulders and, thus, envisioned life pragmatically. Harry loved all his children dearly and wanted them to have a future he never had. It was this desire that made Harry work relentlessly hard and not let go of any opportunity that helped him earn even a single penny. I want our children to taste success. He would often tell Enid. I have high hopes for them. Enid would nod and take Harry’s hand and intertwine it with hers.

It had been a week since the Stock exchange catastrophe shook the world. Harry and Gilbert woke up that morning, ate some bread, and then ventured toward the docks.

When Harry reached, he saw his employer looking more tense than usual. All okay, Mr. Williams? Harry asked. "Hey, Harry. No work for you and your boy today. I’m sorry, but I’ll have