Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

August 23, 2006

Today’s announcements

A Pivotal moment is at hand, Storytime Tapestry has now received the work of 350 writers and poets.  Ian Dennison, a fellow Canadian, now becomes writer # 350.  Please welcome him to the Storytime Tapestry fold.

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

SHE PRAYED FOR A SIGN

Ellie Braun Haley

Jeannette Wilson and I met through our sons in 1978. The boys were both six years old and blonde. That year it seemed like a thousand youngsters, ours included, wanted to play soccer. The boys were precious. It was not unusual for them to stop and pick a flower or get carried away watching butterflies. At their age, they wanted to play but they were also immensely interested in the world around them.

We moved away in 1984 and I didn’t see Jeannette again for six or seven years. By then, my son had been killed in a car accident (age 17). Jeannette and I met again in Lethbridge. She had moved there and I was in the city preparing for my father's funeral. I do not believe our meeting was a coincidence. We renewed acquaintances and exchanged new addresses. When next I heard from her, and it was only months later, she had written to tell me that Brian, her son, was dead, killed in a motorcycle accident. I knew her pain. She knew mine. I tried to picture the reunion of these two blonde soccer players!
Brian had died close to home, in an ambulance, while his mom sat and prayed for him. She told me it had been a nice day and Brian and his brother had gone for a short motorcycle ride. They were so close to home when the accident happened. Close enough for Brian’s parents to get to the scene to be there for him and to pray for him. Like so many ahead of her, Jeannette, following the death of her son, struggled with her faith in God, in her close relationships and in life itself. She fought through bouts of depression and tried to sort out who she was.

In her words, “I feel there is a great loss of dignity when you lose a child.”
It was close to two years after Brian's death that Jeannette asked God for a sign that her son was indeed with Him in Heaven.

“Sometime later at Easter service I received an answer. The choir was singing beautifully at the front of the church and, in my mind’s eye, I could see Jesus standing and listening alongside them. He was holding Brian’s hand and… I could see Brian’s face and features so clearly. He was smiling and just glowing with joy and peace. Since that time, when I picture Brian, that is what I see. Through the sadness of missing Brian, it helps me to accept his death more easily and I continue to thank God for this gift.”

Ellie Braun-Haley

shaley@telusplanet.net 

This story is one of 149 stories published in the book A Little Door, a Little Light.

COMMENTS FROM AUTHOR: “As I researched the topic of death and the many inexplicable stories surrounding it, I gradually found a type of healing, following the death of my own son. Jason was on his way to compete in an athletic event when he was killed. Three months later he spoke to me. I was awake. It was a wondrous moment but I hesitated to share this with others for fear of ridicule. It took prodding from God and some amazing happenings to show me that I needed to speak out and share my own story. I was meant to help others find their own harmony. The stories I gathered over a four and half year period left me completely in awe. These stories will help others by planting seeds of hope. They will ease the pain. I know there is more, that one day we shall see our loved ones again. I know they are well and wait for us.”.. Ellie Braun-Haley

I encourage you to share this story with others.

A Little Door, A Little Light
Available at http://www.eaglecreek.org/doorpdf.html
also available at evrcanada.com
also available at http://alittledoor.inframind.net/ellie-braun-haley.html

BOOK REVIEW
Recently I had the opportunity of listening to a lady talk about her newly published book. I am going to give high praise to the author and to the book. Oh, I must say that it was a stirring talk! She caused many in the audience to shed tears as she spoke of her son, his death, and then his visit to her after his death. Her story is touching and she speaks with such a depth of emotion. I was able to buy a tape of her talk and it has affected me greatly.

I think it is very important that people hear about this book as it is going to help so many. So I am writing to let you know about it.

I have long awaited this book of Ellie's, as I knew when she started work on it quite a few years back ... The book is filled with stories. You will find things about visions, angels, spirits and experiences. This is a wondrous collection of stories.

I think the book will help people who have had unusual experiences to realize that they are not alone, that others have also had inexplicable things take place ...

Yours truly,
Wallie LaFlamme
Calgary, Alberta, Canada



FOR MORE REVIEWS AND FOR TESTIMONIALS VISIT
Available at http://www.eaglecreek.org/doorpdf.html OR
http://alittledoor.inframind.net/ellie-braun-haley.html


Ellie is editing her next book in the area of Divine Intervention. Book title is Seeds of HOPE. If you have as tory you wish to share contact Ellie at:  shaley@telusplanet.net 
 

Ellie Braun-Haley has presented talks and workshops in Oaxaca, Mexico, and in many Canadian cities from London to Edmonton. She is an articulate and energetic speaker. She presents with warmth and sincerity and often shares some of the humorous aspects of the topic‚ whatever that topic may be!

~**~**~

MY NAME IS JH-14

Roger Dean Kiser

I had just sat down in the recliner to watch the Abrams Report when I heard a knock on the door. As I opened the front door I saw a young man standing there staring at me.

"Are you Mr. Rogers?" He asked.

"No son, my name is Kiser. Roger Kiser," I told him.

"I'm JH-14 and I'm looking for Mr. Rogers," he said, in a quiet tone.

"I'm sorry you must have the wrong house."

I watch as he turned around and walked away. He had a very sad look on his face. He walked looking only at the ground; his shoulders slumped forward as if it were the end of the world.

I walked back inside and closed the front door.

"JH-14," I said aloud.

"I have heard that somewhere before," I thought.

Like a ton of bricks it hit me, almost taking my breath away. I ran into my office and began throwing books right and left onto the floor. Finally reaching what I was looking for I began to thumb through the pages, as fast as I could.

"There it is JH-14."

I fell to my knees and began looking for another small book. Within several seconds I had found what I was looking for. I turned the pages so fast that several were almost torn out of the booklet.

"JH, JH, JH. There it is," I yelled.

"JH-14, Jonathon Harrell," the name read.

I ran to the front door and saw the young man getting into a small red car.

"JONATHON HARRELL," I screamed out.

The boy stopped dead in his tracks, turned around and looked at me.

I walked, as fast as I could toward him. As I reached him I said, "Thank you or not forgetting me."

"That's what I said to you when you came to the orphanage with my gifts," he replied.

"I know," I said smiling back at him.

"None of the kids at school, who have parents, have a fossil watch this good and expensive," he said, holding up his arm to show me the gift one of the Heartwarmer members had bought him when we gave the orphanage children a Christmas in July Party several years earlier.

We talked for about ten minutes. He told me he was moving to Arizona with some of his friends. The car horn blew letting us know that they were ready to go.

"Son, your name is no longer JH-14. I want you to remember that, ok? My name was 6918LC for many years. It took me almost 40 years to learn that my name was really Roger Kiser."

"Thank you, Mr. Rogers."

As I walked him to the car I told him that there were many people who helped buy his gifts. I let him know that every single one of them cares about him and all the other children in the orphanage.

"Can you thank them for me?" He said, as he slid into the back seat of the car.

"They already know but I will tell them again, I promise, Jonathon."

There in the back seat was the basketball, fishing rod, tackle box and the clothing that were purchased for him at the Christmas in July party. I knew, from my days in the orphanage, that this was all in the world that he owned.

As they backed out of my drive way I stared at Jonathon's face. His eyes were sunk in and deep in the sockets. I knew it would take him many years to get over never having been loved. He was now free to make a life for himself and to make choices on his own.

No one seems to realize the damage orphanages do to children in the long run. They are fed, clothed, housed and educated in a very good manner. The problems begin when they leave the orphanage. They head out into the world to make a life for themselves. But the only life they know how to make, for their spouse and children, is what they have been taught; that being a life of total control and total incarceration. No one raised in a normal family setting would stand for, or understand that type of lifestyle. That is why so many orphans are married five or six times before the reach the age of forty.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched them drive away. Jonathon has a very hard road to travel and much to learn about loving.

I can tell you this from experience: That young man will never hurt, or harm another human being because of the kindness shown to him by the Heartwarmer family. Most of you have no idea what was accomplished that day at the orphanage. For many of you it was just a party helping kids less fortunate than ourselves. To me, myself raised in an orphanage, it was saving a life and possibly the lives of many others in the future.

Roger Dean Kiser

trampolineone@earthlink.net

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

A few more ramblings from me

Sheri Solomon

6 July 2006

In the paper today the headline screamed

man, found dead in his home, dead for two weeks

Imagine

for two weeks no one checked

no one called

no one visited

It was the mail carrier that alerted the police,

something called a 'well being' check

because his box was full and no more bills, flyers, junk mail

could be delivered

Amazing

Sheri Solomon

dead for two weeks

and no one knew

One neighbor said he used to talk with him

but hadn't for a long time

the neighbor used to pull weeds

the neighbor used to mow his lawn

the neighbor used to talk

used to be, almost friends

Imagine

two weeks dead..... and humanity went on

for two weeks dead ... and no one knew to mourn

for two weeks......

Watching now my own neighbors

Wondering

Hoping

Suddenly aware of their every move....

Praying this will not happen again

Sheri Solomon

email.sheri@verizon.net

~**~**~

29 June 2006

Sheri Solomon

Returning today

from the land of vacation

back to reality

after feeding my soul

in a place I love

with enough

calm

to allow me to endure/live/grow during the coming year

Returning home from

Yellowstone

always a little more lingers

a little more remains

within me..

A week or two is never enough to see

to do

to absorb all that I want

leaving me

craving for the next installment....

So much

so full

each sense awakened

with a rebirth...

and so I grow

craving more

nibbling on the fringe

on the edge of the memories... hoping they last the next 350 days

Sheri Solomon

email.sheri@verizon.net

~**~**~

 God Is Everywhere

Ian Dennison

When you feel down, God will pick you up;

When you feel unclear, God will clear it up;

When you feel unsure, He will make you confident........

Is there any doubt in what I'm talking about?.....

God is everywhere, of that we are sure
Keep His love alive, that, indeed can occur....
it's just as sure and pure as love can ever be;
Understand God and clarify His mystery.....

I hope this writing sample picks you up today!

This is Ian Dennison,

teddyeno@yahoo.ca

in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Readers Feedback

About Sharon’s roosters: I have a suggestion, put them in a pot and have chicken and dumplings. Nell Berry

Carol,
This is in reply to Sharon Bryant's rooster problem. Sharon, I once had too many roosters and
tried setting live traps.  I did catch one, but caught several hens first. 
Try talking to the clerks at the feed store. At our store one found a long pole with a hook on the end for me.  You can just reach out and snare the rooster by the leg. If your husband can help, he can run up, throw a blanket over the rooster when you pull him down by the hooked leg. He should
wear gloves as those suckers can peck hard and claw even harder.
Good luck!
Clara

Thank you Barbara Rooney for No Damage Done.  This is a jewel; a crown for the rewards of growth and development.  i.e.    No Damage Done             Louise

This makes 94 nice comments on First Light  so far. Not near what Train Man Is Gone got, but it's fun and remarkable. Mark Crider

Hart Dowd’s Prince Edward Island - Thank you for The Gentle Island.  It sounds sweet!  One day I will visit.  Vessey’s Seeds for short growing seasons.  What a great idea! Louise

I enjoy Ms. Mary Carter Mizrany also and I'll let her know personally.  Paula Booher

This is just beautiful. It is so sweet and true of our Lord. Praise His name and thank you Mary Carter Mizrany, for sharing with us.

Nell

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