Ally Neal of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is an author, mother, and co-creator of Embrace Chaos Co., a platform that supports mothers through the unpredictable, “in the thick of it” moments of life. When Neal found out that a friend’s daughter was going to need a heart transplant, she knew she wanted to help.
“My friends are walking through an unimaginable time,” shared Neal. “I’d felt led to show up for them and help them through this. I would love to give them millions of dollars, but unfortunately, I’m not able to. But I can help support them by sharing the proceeds of my children’s book.”
What started as a memorable gift for her girls turned into a blessing for a family in waiting.
“I never imagined I would have published a children’s book, but I have always been very into writing from a very young age. I was writing books as a kid, and I kind of let that hobby slip by me for a little while, you know, with life and kids,” shared Neal. “Recently, I got the idea to write one for my two little girls, and it became more successful than I imagined, and I realized this was a way to help my friends.”
Neal’s book, “The Wings that Waited,” is a light-hearted read about a little golden bird who has a golden thread in her wing that’s broken. She’s waiting to get her thread fixed so that it becomes a golden stitch in her wing, so she can fly.
“The book leads up to the young bird being stuck in her nest until her wing is healed,” shared Neal. “It mirrors children or adults who are in a season of waiting, whether it’s for healing or something else.”
Neal and her co-creator of Embrace Chaos Co., Shelby Strickland, already have their next project in mind. This time it’s for the moms.
“Our next book is a little different, not a children’s book,” explained Neal. “It’s called “Mom’s Chaos Kit”. Shelby and I talked about the saying, “it takes a village” to raise your children well. But at the end of the day, not everybody has a village.”
Neal and Strickland believe that moms who understand the chaos can help create the village other moms may need for support.
“Embrace Chaos Co. is here to provide resources and connect moms, because every mom has a different experience of what helps them get through this, what works for them, tips and tricks, and really just support and community as well, because we truly are all in this together,” shared Neal.
Neal’s friends are still in the fight for their daughter’s heart transplant. Proceeds of her book “The Wings that Waited” will continue to support them with living expenses acquired by seeking medical care out of state, and time away from work. To date, Neal has provided the family with more than $3,000. You can purchase the book online or at The Compounder in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
