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Yes
my finances are a disaster as I try to keep the creditors at
bay. Yes, my year could be construed as a total disaster but
I chose not to look at it in that way. As I write this New
Years message, the famous words ???It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times???, from the great novel A Tale of
Two Cities, comes to mind. For although this year was pretty
disastrous, physically, financially, and emotionally, some
of the events that happened to me really did merit ???the best
of times???. Here are the events that have changed the year
around for me.
Through thick and thin, Matt, my boyfriend and I tread
through life together. We don't know what the new year will
bring but whatever it is we will go through it together.
My son finally broke up with his girlfriend and has gone
through a complete character reversal. He has become a great
help to me since I have been sick. We now enjoy an emotional
closeness together that never existed before.
Brigitte Martel, my former supervisor, and Jad Saikali, my
young friend, from the call center where I work have been a
constant source of strength for me both before and during my
illness. These two people encouraged me to pursue my writing
career. They had more faith in me than I had in myself.
Furthermore, I owe a lot to a writer friend of mine,
Ginnylynn, who kept insisting that I submit my stories as a
book. Without her support and encouragement, I don't think
that I would ever have made that first inquiry to Publish
America. But because of her faith in me, I will have my
first book published sometime in 2004. I not only consider
writing my book, Picking Up The Pieces: A Women??™s Journey to
be the major event for me in 2003 but also one of my
greatest accomplishments in my life as well.
I believe that there is truth in the saying that out of bad
comes good and that we should always try to find the
positives in life. Since I had plenty of time on my hands
due to my illness and my leave of absence from work I
decided to launch a newsletter of my own. For me Storytime
Tapestry is another dream come true.
My dream was to create an online family of writers and
readers alike; a community of love, understanding and
friendship. From the feedback that I have gotten from my
members I believe that I have done just that. Many people
tell me how this newsletter is a ministry from God.
For some the newsletter is another avenue to showcase their
writings, for others it is a channel for making new friends.
But for just about everyone it is a warm and inviting
newsletter that enables the reader to relax and enjoy the
most heartfelt, inspirational, humorous, sad, and often time
risqu?© stories on the Internet. These stories are about real
people in real life situations dealing with these situations
the best way they know how. My writers are encouraged to
practice their art without judgment or censorship from the
publisher or the Storytime Tapestry community at large.
I have learned so much from publishing this newsletter from
all my readers and writers. I have made many friends because
of it. I cannot mention everyone here for lack of space but
know in your heart that I have not forgotten you.
One of the two that I would like to mention is Thelma
Hartselle, my moderator. Without her I would not have a
newsletter. Through the creation of the newsletter, Thelma
has become another source of strength for me. She has also
become a very dear friend as well.
The other person I would like to mention is Bob Johnston of
Starfish at ripplemaker.com, who already was a wonderful
friend of mine. He has helped to guide me as a new publisher
and in turn has contributed to the newsletter??™s success. Bob
never ceases to amaze me in all that he does and yet he
still and always will have time for me.
Besides putting out a newsletter I started taking Hebrew
reading classes. I am so proud of my accomplishments in this
area. Taking these classes has done much for my self esteem.
I feel if I can read Hebrew I can read anything. Maybe I
will try learning to read Chinese next!
The Hebrew lessons extended into a torah study class that a
few of us created. Again as in everywhere that I go, Matt
and I have made some wonderful new friends. Pierre,
Frederic, Mary Beth and Angela thank you for your support
and friendship. The presence of God is really felt in your
presence.
But of course I have had such wonderful outpouring of love
and concern especially for my sister??™s condition from my
online friends as well. The Survivors which is an online
community that I belong to for the past several years have
been with me through thick and thin. Chris, Ruthie, Wanda,
Jan, Barb, Wendy, Melba, Nancy, Mary Ann, Jacque, Dean,
Joyce, La Dell, and Dixie thank you ever so much. With my
sister in the condition that she is in, I as well as my
family need all the love and prayers that we can get.
Since my sister??™s hospital stay I have had about 2000 people
praying for her recovery and my family??™s emotional well
being. The World of Hope prayer warriors have been a major
contributor for prayers and healing.
Though Joyce is still in the hospital and it has been touch
and go for her it is with the help of all these prayer
warriors she has made it this far. God saved my sister. It
looks as though she will make it into the new year. Thelma,
Maggie, Marianne, Anne Glover, Millie Jones, Sing, you have
been so kind and supportive. WE couldn't have made it
without you.
Millie I thank God everyday for having such a warm and
wonderful person such as you in my life. You too are going
through so much sadness. It never ceases to amaze me how a
person can lose their loved one yet still have time to check
up on someone else who is hurting. Mille you are an angel
sent from God.
I know that I have many earthly angels and I have not been
able to mention all of them here in this message. But what I
have learned from this year, is that yes there was pain, yes
there was suffering but I was always surrounded by God??™s
love. Even with the many obstacles thrown my way, God has
shown me that I am not alone, I have all my heavenly and
earthly angels to guide and protect me.
As we begin the New Year, I know that my God is with me and
he will protect and comfort me all the days of my life. I
may not be strong physically right now, but he has made me
strong of character and strong in faith. I may not be
financially comfortable, but I am rich because of the love
and friendship that surrounds me.
As I reflect upon 2003 I ask myself do I have any regrets?
The only answer I can give is no I do not. I look forward to
2004 knowing that God will provide even greater things for
me in this lovely new year.
Happy New Year everyone
Carol Roach winterose @ videotron.ca
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To read archived stories, click on this link:
http://archives.zinester.com/9516/2004
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Blessings to you today
Bob Johnston
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