Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

August 20, 2006

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN (?)

Roger Dean Kiser

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world," sang the orphans.

I stood amongst the sixty orphan children, mouth tightly shut, as the kids sang for a large church group which had come to visit our orphanage.

"Red or yellow, black or white they are precious in his sight," they continued to sing.

I looked around and thought to myself, "I don't see no black, red or yellow children here, just us real white kids."

I looked up and saw Mother Winters, the head matron, motioning for me to come to her position at the back of the dining room.

Slowly, I made my way through the group and stood, silently looking at Mother Winters' face. Her large head and big, dark red lips towering above me. She gently took me by the arm, smiled at the members of the church, and led me into the long, dark hallway. Within inches of entering the darkness I felt her long fingernails dig into my wrist. Tighter and tighter she dug until we reached her living quarters. All at once she grabbed me by the throat and slung through the open doorway. I rolled against the wall and lay there shaking, waiting for her next move.

"You want these God damn church people to think we don't love you little bastards?" She screamed.

"No ma'am, Mother Winters."

"You get your ugly little ass out there and I had better hear you sing louder than anyone else. You got that?"

"Yes ma'am, Mother Winters."

Slowly I picked myself up off the floor and headed back down the hallway. Her thumbnail pushed into the middle of my back as if it were a sharp spear. My eyes traveled from right to left, and then from left to right, as I looked into the smiling faces of the people from the church.

I took my place in line and stood there waiting to see what we would be instructed to do.

As the preacher talked about how much the world loved children; my mind wondered if anyone would ever know about the beatings we received almost every Saturday. How we raked leaves and pine straw, cleaned floors and bathrooms from morning till night, day after day, week after week and year after year. My legs began to ache as the large man, with dark stained teeth, rambled on and on about nothing important. I watched as Mother Winters smiled as the various church members who would look in her direction, nodding in recognition of what a fine job she was doing caring for us poor orphans. I also notice the dirty looks she would give me as she tilted her head and showed her snarling teeth.

"In closing this precious event, I think it is only proper that the little children sing "Jesus loves the little children," one more time, said the Preacher.

He began waiving his hands as though he were instructing an orchestra.

"Jesus loves the little children," the kids began singing.

Mother Winters looked at me, pressed her lips together as if to say "You sing, or you are dead you little bastard."

"All the children of the world," I sang.

"RED AND YELLOW, BLACK OR WHITE, they are precious in his sight. JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE BASTARDS OF THE WORLD." I screamed, as loud as I could.

I ran toward the breezeway door, pushing and shoving, knocking down children and adults as I traveled.

To this day I don't know why I did what I did, but I knew I would be beat to death once Mother Winters got hold of my "ten-year-old ugly ass." I was shaking, crying and my mind was in a state of total confusion and fear. My ears burned as I felt sharp, electrical impulses shoot, like lighting bolts, through my "little retarded brain."

As I look back I remember Judge Gooding sentencing me to ten days in the Juvenile Hall lockup for using "bad language," and for doing such "a despicable thing in front of God fearing people."

Even to this day I cannot stand to hear that song. I still do not know if Jesus loved those little orphan children, but I know this: I sure did (and still do).

Roger Dean Kiser

trampolineone@earthlink.net

~**~**~

I SAW HELL

 Sharon Bryant

I was at work today when this elderly fellow came into my shop.  He was perhaps 82-83, I took him for.  He had on shorts, a blue shirt, and was wearing a straw hat.  He walked around the shop, laughing at some of the signs I have hanging.  I noticed he could see better standing back from whatever he was looking at.

He ordered an ice cream cone, then went out on my deck to eat it.  I looked out my door and smiled to myself thinking, "He looks so much like my dad, and he's close in age."  Plus my dad also wore a straw hat in summer.

The man walked back in the store and said, "Hey, you want to tell me the monkey story?"  I laughed and said, "You camping in the park?"  He replied that he was and I said, "I'll have my husband tell you the story when he gets time."  He replied, "Oh, I gotta hear this one!  (I'll tell the monkey story at a later date).

I went on with my day and a few hours later, this elderly lady came into the shop.  She ordered two ice cream cones and said, "My husband is outside with I believe your husband.  Your husband is telling him the monkey story."  So I went out on the deck after waiting on her, wanting to hear the monkey story again myself.

When my husband finished, the man was shaking his head saying how insane people have become and the scams that are going around.  "I'm a WWII Veteran, and I saw hell in Japan.  I saw things I wish I could forget but I can't.  Sometimes I wonder why people don't just mind their own business and leave others alone."

I told him my father was also a WWII Veteran.  He asked me where dad had been stationed and I told him Germany and France.

"Your father saw some terrible things also," he said.  "We all did.  There was nothing pretty about that war.  We fought to stay alive every day of our lives.  We saw hell, we lived in hell." 

I thanked him for being a Veteran.

He was eating his ice cream cone when I noticed the paper covering that goes around the cone was much shorter than it was when I handed it to his wife.  My husband noticed it also when we saw the man CHEWING his ice cream cone.  My husband said, "Hey, I think you're eating the paper on your ice cream cone!"  Sure enough, he'd eaten a good three quarters of an inch of it.

He said, "I thought it was funny that this ice cream cone got crunchy towards the end."

We laughed our heads off.  And then he said, "My eyesight isn't what it used to be.  I can't see very well up close, so I didn't notice I was eating the paper."  And then he said, "Some of the food that I ate during the war was a lot worse than eating the paper covering on this cone."

I watched as he and his wife walked to their camper.  They said they'd be back tomorrow to get another ice cream cone.  I'm taking the paper cover off when they get the cones tomorrow. 

He walked like my dad.  He was a Veteran like my dad, and he saw hell like my dad.

I think tomorrow I'll give him a hug for what he gave as a veteran.   And a free ice cream cone.

To me, it is an honor to meet a Veteran from WWII.

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

~**~**~

 Submitted by Hart Dowd, author unknown to us at this time.

Connections with Others

If there’s one thing people are lacking in today’s fast-paced, hi-tech world, it’s meaningful connections with others. Walk down any city street and you’ll witness thousands of people all co-existing together in complete solitude. There’s little eye contact, few friendly smiles, and an almost absence of initiating new friendships.

Those in suburban environments don’t fare much better. Between 40+ hour workweeks, hour-long commutes to and from work, and an ever-growing “to do” list, many people barely have time to eat dinner with their own family, much less reach out to others and initiate a friendly bond.

Although our world population has grown in recent decades, we’ve become more isolated from our neighbors than ever before. We’ve evolved into a society that prefers sending e-mail rather than engaging in one-on-one dialog, watching TV sitcoms instead of participating in real life, and turning to Internet chat rooms for company as opposed to joining a local community group. What a sad and lonely world!

Fortunately, there is a solution to this social dilemma, and it’s something we all have the capacity to do. In order to form meaningful connections with others and reconnect with your own life, all you need to do is laugh. Through humor, you can rediscover what is truly important in your life and uncover the unique spiritual connection we all have with our fellow human beings.

Good humor (other than ice cream) can be an excellent way to trigger the spiritual connection between people. Positive humor and the act of laughing transcend all language barriers and give people a common ground on which to relate. Young or old, healthy or ill, male or female, each of us has an innate capacity for humor and can use laughter, giggles, or smiles to break down emotional walls and reach out to others.

Realize, though, that humor doesn’t always translate into gut-busting laughter or slapstick comedy. Many times humor is subdued, and that is when our spirits are truly free to connect with others. As you strive to use humor to create more meaningful connections in your own life, keep the following guidelines in mind.

Positive humor equals a positive state of mind. When your humor is positive, you understand that people need different things at different times in order to be in “good humor.” Sometimes we need to laugh, while other times we simply need someone to sit and breathe with us. Positive humor is never hurtful, nor does it degrade a person’s spirit. It’s always uplifting, and it gives people a temporary release of any negativity they may be harboring.

In reality, laughter is only one of the ways we express our humor. And sometimes, laughter isn’t involved at all. For example, if you’re attempting to connect with someone who is depressed or ill, using jokes, silly faces, and whoopee cushions would defeat the whole purpose and put the other person in a more negative state of mind. What the person may need is simply someone to sit with them and share a moment of peaceful silence. The goal is to distract a person from the negative emotions and enable them to refocus on positive ones. You can’t force someone to laugh; you can only invite them to do so.

To give people what they need to reach a more positive state of mind, you must build rapport with the other person and let him or her know that you understand and that you care. One way to accomplish this is to be mindful of the person’s state of mind and health, and to alter your own communication style so you match the other person’s. Pace your breath with the other person. Mirror his or her gestures and movements so that you’re in synch. Make the volume, tone, and pitch of your voice similar to the other person’s. You want the other person to see, hear, and feel you on his or her level so you can form a connection.

The more mindful you become of people’s attitudes, feelings, and emotions, the more connected you’ll feel with them. You’ll begin to sense the rapport you build in even the most miniscule of moments. When a stranger walks by and nods at you in recognition, when your friend places her hand on yours, when an elderly neighbor asks you to sit with him or her for just one more minute…those are the moments when you’ll sense the bond that has formed. Again, the actual act of laughing may never occur; rather, it’s the positive atmosphere you help create that will keep the other person in good humor. As a result, the connection will spontaneously occur.

As we routinely rush from task to task, we often don’t truly listen to what people are saying. Sure, we may physically hear their words, but we often miss the underlying messages in what they say. Those underlying messages often hold the key to making or breaking the human connection.

When you listen with your heart, you listen with all your senses. You not only hear what others are saying, but also how they say it as well as what their body language is telling you. The more information you allow your senses to take in, the stronger the connection grows.

Listening with your heart brings a level of acceptance to the interaction. It minimizes judgment. The more senses you engage as you listen, the more apt you are to accept the other person for who he or she is without putting any expectations on him or her. This is important, because your expectations and judgments put a box around your thinking and your emotions. When you release your expectations, you have more flexibility in your thinking and in how you react to others. When you expect something, you look only for that one thing. However, when you put your heart into the equation and let go of expectations, your possibilities for meaningful connections are endless.

Finding humor in a situation is a matter of allowing that little childlike part of yourself to come out and play. Regardless of how you perceive yourself, you do have a childlike essence within. We all do. Some people are just more comfortable letting it show than others. In today’s fast-paced, bottom line oriented world, it’s easy to understand why the inner child often gets squashed. So many people are filled with sadness, anger, and frustration that those emotions seem to take over. However, if you can put a humorous spin on events, your heart and spirit will soar. So in essence, laughing can help you achieve a greater sense of inner peace. In the midst of that most delicious serenity you’ll feel more at ease with yourself and (around) others, and therefore more emotionally available to connect.

One great way to put a humorous spin on otherwise seemingly negative events is to exaggerate the event to the point of the ridiculous. For example, suppose a friend is depressed because her boss got angry with her that day. As you listen and gauge her emotional state, you can lighten the mood by comparing the angry boss to a raging bull. Describe how he or she would look with flaring nostrils, stomping hoofs, and horns coming out the head. Encourage the other person to join in with the description to see who can stretch it to the point of absurdity!

Realize, though, that there may be times when humor is not appropriate. For example, if someone is in the middle of a crisis, it’s often difficult to step back and see the event from a different perspective. However, when you look for the humor in life as a part of your daily routine, you can better develop and encourage the positive perspective that’s needed when the going gets tough.

Smiling to a stranger, saying “hi” to someone who looks lonely, being patient with the person in front of you in the grocery store line – all these are simple ways to make connections and spread positive humor to others. Remember, humor is not always about jokes and being silly. Sometimes it’s about comforting another, “being there” for someone, and offering hope when none seems to exist. These are the things that entice people away from a place of negativity and invite them into a place filled with positive energy. When you can do this for another, you can transcend any existing or perceived barrier and pave the way for a meaningful relationship. You then have the beginnings of a positive connection…with a bonus of warmth and joy.

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Let Me Be Your Wings

Linda Ann Henry

Let me be your wings

I want to help you fly

Into the world and the beauty of the sky

Let me lift you high

Way above the trees

Listen to the bird

Let us soar like these

Let me be your wings

Carry you to a flower bed

All the pretty colors

Dance for us instead

Let me take you through the clouds

The stars are now ours

We can see the moon

The milky way and planets

Which God made

Let us take a look at better days

Let me be your wings

Be your heart as well

Hold you in my arms

I can always tell

You are the one for me

Let me be your wings

So we can both be free

Linda Ann Henry

Do you remember me

The people's poet

linda11231949@aol.com

~**~**~

My Only Love

Linda Ann Henry

When I look into a pond

What then do I see?

I see my greatest love

Looking back at me

When I watch the twinkling stars

I see your loving face

You are the hopes and dreams

I hold in my embrace

When I rest here in the garden

I breathe the flowers sweet perfume

You are my only love

Come, stay with me in warm twilight

So I can kiss you in the soft moonlight

I feel a tear upon my face

Never will we ever part

You are my only love

I will always keep you in my heart

My soul is one with yours

What then do I see

When the sun shines on a new day

I can see you very clear

Though you are too far away

You are so very dear

Linda Ann Henry © 2005

for Nadir

Do you remember me

The people's poet
Linda11231949@aol.com

~**~**~

Oh, Sweet Mystery

Linda Ann Henry

I see you as in heaven

On purest angel's wings

You are so close to me

My soul can hear you sing

I have always loved you

And this you always knew

I hide you in my heart

You are mine, forever true

I remember how we sang

Our sweet mystery of life

I can still feel your warmth

For I kiss you every night

It will not be long

'Til we meet at heaven's gate

I wish for all to understand

Why this is our fate

On wings I always fly

To my darling in the sky

Happy as us two

God is forever true 

I hold you in my arms

You are mine, I always knew.

Linda Ann Henry © 2006

Do you remember me

The people's poet

linda11231949@aol.com

In days gone by,
people hid their love for others and kept it quiet.

By doing this, they spent their whole life
looking for the bluebird of happiness,
which as most of us know,
is right in front of us all the time.

Written for Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald

Readers Feedback

Thanks Carol;

The benefits of sauerkraut and sauerkraut juice have been recognized for generations. In some families of southern Germany, the children are fed raw sauerkraut twice weekly to support their intestines. Today it is thought that these benefits may relate to a high proportion of lactic acid in the sauerkraut and sauerkraut juice that naturally supports the digestive process, maintain intestinal flora, and increase the feeling of well being. It is even considered by many doctors in Europe as a health food to support normal, juvenile development.

Sauerkraut juice supports the digestive processes and helps maintain intestinal flora and supports the liver. Helps maintain proper acid levels and maintains absorption of ferrous compounds. Can stimulate the appetite. The acetylcholin content in sauerkraut juice contributes to it's natural laxative effect.

The beneficial chemical qualities ascribed to sauerkraut are equally shared by sauerkraut juice, which is the natural sap of cabbage leaves which are fermented and seasoned by the addition of 1-2% sea salt (it is essential for a small percentage of sea salt to be used in the production of sauerkraut to control toxicity during the fermentation process). The lactic acid content of sauerkraut juice is especially valuable, and the minerals present in raw cabbage are also retained to their fullest extent.

INGREDIENTS: White Cabbage, Sea Salt, Spices, Savory Herbs.

Hartson

Hart’s Article: My family made kraut beer from the juice. Mark Crider

Pierogi's are wonderful filled with kraut.  I grew up eating kraut at least once a week, and still do today.

My grandma used to make it homemade and it stunk to holy heavens while fermenting in the crock on her porch.

But we couldn't wait for it to cure and become edible.

When your maiden name was Krolikowski, you come from grandparents and parents who cook a LOT of kraut!

That's me!

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Costner, Joan Clifton; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Dees, Mary; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;  Dowd, Hartson; Dowd, Helen; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Grisham, Mary-Ellen; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Mizrany, Mary Carter; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator