Keta's Keep: Altruism - What does it mean? WRITING PROMPT

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Altruism - What does it mean? WRITING PROMPT

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Altruism
noun - ˈal-trü-ˌi-zəm

(1) Unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others

(2) Behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species.

Origin: French altruisme, from autrui other people, from Old French, oblique case form of autre other, from Latin.

First Known Use: 1853

Synonyms: affection, agape, altruism, amity, attachment, benevolence, benignity, bountifulness, bounty, caritas, clemency, fellow feeling, generosity, goodness, goodwill, grace, humaneness, humanity, indulgence, kindliness, lenity, love, magnanimity, mercy, tenderheartedness

Antonyms: malevolence, uncharitableness, unkindness, greedy,

Image Reminder

Charitable

An example of an altruistic person is Brand Gatlin in HOLDING ON TO HEAVEN. Book 2 in the series -DARK NIGHT OF THE MOON

Brothers, Creed and Brand Gatlin, are in love with the same woman, Lauren McCain. Creed fathers her child and leaves to fight in the Civil War. Out of honor and duty, Brand marries her while Creed is gone.

Excerpt from Holding On To Heaven (Brand unmasks Lauren's morning sickness in the barn)

Lauren scooted out the door of the kitchen and barely made it into the barn before the taste of sour milk rose in her throat. Forced to empty her stomach, she selected the nearest pile of hay and let if fly.

Brand’s husky voice drifted across the barn, startling her. “Why are you out of bed if you’re still sick?”

“I thought I felt better and haven’t seen Adobe in days,” she muttered.

“Yes, I know. Did Estelle tell you I stopped by yesterday?”

“You did? Oh, no, she must have forgotten, but I saw her only briefly this morning at breakfast.”

His eyes caressed her, betraying the feelings he tried to hide. She sensed Brand loved her and she couldn’t deny she’d become fond of him but that’s as far as it went. How could she think about loving another when her heart belonged to his brother?

“How long have you been sick, Lauren?”

“How long have you been standing there?”

“No way,” he said with a shake of his head. “I asked first.”

She blinked to hold back tears. “Longer than three days.”

Silence filled the empty space between them. “You’re with child, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Pain crossed his eyes. “Whose?"

Unbidden tears streamed down her face. She gave a subtle shake of her head and walked toward Adobe.

He followed her. “Do your aunt and uncle know?”

She cleared her throat and wished the earth would swallow her up. “I don’t think they suspect, but Nelly is another matter.”

He shuffled his feet for a moment before blurting the words out. “Marry me.”

She fell against the stall, her eyes wide.

“Let me start over. Will you marry me, Lauren?”

She plopped down onto a bale of hay and buried her head in her hands. “I can’t possibly burden you with my problem.” When she lifted her head, his eyes were so warm and blue, her heart broke. “I’ve gotten myself into this mess, and I will-I will deal with it.”

He sat down beside her. “I can’t allow that to happen. The babe needs a father.”

Breathing in shallow gulps, she didn’t know how to feel right now. She expected Brand’s anger, hurt, recriminations, but not a proposal of marriage. Trapped like a rabbit in a snare, she couldn’t think, couldn’t speak.

He spoke in a gentle murmur. “Lauren, we like each other. I know you’re not in love with me, but you do care for me, I think.”

She agreed with a slight shake of her head. What a tangled web—her in love with Creed, Brand in love with her, and who the hell knew what Creed held in his heart. Kind, caring Brand with his bright blue eyes and a heart bigger than Texas. And then there was Creed, wilder than a stallion and as elusive as the wind. What choice did she have?
“This is not your responsibility to shoulder.”

He shifted on the bale and placed his hands at the sides of her head. “I’m asking for the honor of shouldering it. I’m under no illusions; know you’re not in love with me.”

She closed her eyes and battened down her emotions. “What about-about....”

“A marriage in name only.” He paused and searched her eyes. “Unless of course you fulfill my wildest fantasy and fall in love with me. I’d prefer to kiss you senseless and well, you know, but I’ll not force you into anything.”

“What angel brought you into my life, Brand? Tell me so I might thank?"

Kindle: http://amzn.to/I2WPzl

Nook: http://bit.ly/OJ44Me

Nook UK: http://bit.ly/V991kS

Kobo: http://bit.ly/NSl5HU

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Labels: altruism, this week's word, writing prompt

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