Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

August 31, 2006

Today’s announcements

A special 17^th wedding anniversary greeting goes out to Lynne and Ernie Stevenson – we want to help you make this day a memory maker filled with love, joy, family and friends: pugsmom37@aol.com

And it is also Ernie’s birthday can you imagine that? So two cards for Ernie today.

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

I Haven't Failed--I Haven't Finished Yet

Leeuna Foster

How many times do we fail at something, then attempt to justify that failure by saying "I knew I couldn't do it!". Perhaps, that was the very reason for the failure in the first place. One should never expect to succeed with a negative outlook. We must remain positive in all things. By giving in to a negative attitude, we set ourselves up to be a failure from the beginning.

The main cause of negativity is fear; fear of failure, fear of taking chances, fear of the unknown. It is also a sign of laziness. After all, it takes only a small amount of effort to say "I can't".

To be positive, on the other hand, takes a great deal of effort. One must be willing to learn new things, and to face challenges. We must learn to be strong, to accept criticism, because we will always face negative comments, often from family members or close friends who think they know what is in our best interest. Some people delight in the opportunity to say "I told you so." My favorite answer to the them is, "Wait, I'm not finished yet!"

Don't allow negative people to bring you down. Don't let the little setbacks discourage you and cause you to lose sight of your goals. All things come to an end...including the bad things; they too shall pass away. We must be willing to press forward and persevere until we reach our destination. If something doesn't pan out the first time, change your strategy. Analyze the reason why it didn't work and do it again from a different angle. Don't just TRY...do it! Try is a negative word. To say you will try is to say it will probably fail. Instead say, "I will do this".

I refuse to believe in luck. There is no such thing. It is only a fantasy, an illusion. Luck is for the dreamer not the doer. Success does not come without effort; and the degree of success is measured by the amount of effort we put forth. Nothing is ever achieved without a certain amount of effort on our part.

We can get out of bed in the morning and go to our closet to get dressed. We can stand there in our closet all day until evening comes, but unless we stretch out our hand and take the clothes from the hanger and put them on, we will be standing naked when night falls. The clothing simply will not jump from the hanger onto our body, no matter how long we wait nor how hard we wish. The same can be said for everything we attempt to do in this life. Nothing is accomplished without some degree of effort from us.

Whining about past failures is another road leading away from success. If we are always looking back, we miss what is before us. We might even miss that one opportunity that could take us to the top. It is for sure we can never be happy if we constantly dwell on the past. What happened yesterday is gone and will never come our way again; what is meant for tomorrow may or may not ever reach us, but today is ours to do with as we see fit and it is up to us to make each moment count. We can face it head on with a positive happy attitude or let it pass us by unnoticed. The choice is ours.

Leeuna Foster

You may read more of Leeuna's original work at: http://www.thebarefootchild.com

http://www.southernfriedwriters.com  and http://www.patchworkweb.com

~**~**~

 ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com

THE TREASURE IN THE BOX

            Did you see the news story about the teacher who found an old cigar box in her attic?  When she opened it, it was crammed full of old papers.  She was about to toss them in the trash when she noticed the word "stock" on one of the papers.  Upon further inspection, she discovered that the box was full of old stock certificates.  Just for fun, she had their value assessed.

            You guessed it: instant millionaire.

            "I don't imagine my life will be much different," she said after banking her new-found fortune.  "I may buy some new clothes.  But other than that, I won't be making many changes."

            Personally, I think wealth is wasted on such people.  What's the point of being suddenly prosperous if you're not going to allow yourself to suddenly . . . you know . . prosper?

            I know I would.  I know this because I've been thinking about it all week -- or at least since my late father's wife, Jean, called to tell me about an old box she found while cleaning.

            "There are some real treasures in these boxes," she said.  "You ought to have them."

            "Treasures?" I asked.  "What sort of treasures?"

            "Oh, you know -- jewelry, certificates, a little money, and there are some metals that are absolutely precious."

            Jewelry?  Certificates?  Money?  Precious metals?  And she wants to give them to me?

            Cha-ching!

            Unlike the teacher in the news story, I could come up with plenty of ideas for improving my life once those treasures made their way into my bank account.  Most involved quitting my job and buying a Winnebago.  By the time I got the box from Jean, I had already imagined myself back and forth across the country and all the way to Hawaii (with and without the Winnebago, respectively).

            In the privacy of my car, I carefully opened the black jewelry box.  Inside, it was just as she had promised: jewelry, certificates, money and precious metals.  Only the jewelry was costume jewelry in brilliant blues, reds and aquamarines.  The certificates included my mother's high school diploma.  The money was an English penny.  And the precious "metals" were actually precious medals, including one awarded to my great-grandfather for being an "Indian War Veteran" and another presented to my great-great-grandfather for helping to pioneer the American West.

            OK, I'll admit it: I was disappointed at first.  There was nothing of any value here -- unless you counted sentimental value.  But the more I studied the stuff in the box, the more like a treasure it seemed to be.  And the more like a mystery.  What did my great-grandmother's garish red rhinestone broach tell me about the personality of a woman I never met?  Am I the only one in the family who will be surprised to learn that Mom graduated from high school in Denver?  Who wore the dangly blue pendant and why did it smell -- vaguely but distinctively -- of turpentine?  And what about the cool reading spectacles?  What was the deal with those?

            I'm not exactly sure where to look for the answers to these questions.  But we're going to have a lot of fun trying to find them.  Meanwhile, I'm enjoying this wonderful sense of connection as I handle and admire objects that were obviously cherished by my ancestors.  It makes me feel grounded.  It makes me feel like I belong.  It makes me feel like I'm part of something that extends beyond the here and now.  And that feeling is something I value and treasure.

            Regardless of the value of the treasure in the box.

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

·        What is this? *

·        Norma Liles

I opened the book, a special book

It was given to me by my parents

I asked what the occasion was

They said: "This is a Gift of Love."

It is a gift that every child should have

To lead them and guide their lives

A book that is written of God's love

That is why we call it a 'Gift of Love."

Today the pages are wrinkled and worn

It shows the timeless use of this gift

It has guided me in my walk through life

Share this gift with another, my friend.

When my life seems to be out of hand

Or when the my joy is filled to the brim

I take my Book and I read His Words

So uplifting and inspiring, my 'Gift of Love."

NormaLee Liles ©

hoopla214@yahoo.com

Norma Liles is a retired data entry

clerk/supv who is 76, a native of Ohio

and still resides there. She is very

outgoing and loves to make new friends!

Her hobbies are: writing poetry and

stories, living for Jesus, reading,
enjoying her family, and her use of

her computer.Her ambition is to add

pleasure to those who read her writings

as well as sharing her faith. She enjoys

Southern Gospel Music and loves to sing.

Her writings have been published on Starfish,
Driftwood, Sandollar, Morning Spirit Lift,

PrayerofGod, Jan Karon'snewsletter,

American Poetry Writer's league,
Lucy's Inspiration, Faithful Hope reading room,
Poetry of Today publishing, Hope in Him,
Bonnie's Place, America will remember,
News Moose & Penworm prayer warriors as well as

a senior writer for Storytime Tapestry.

~**~**~

Peace Upon a Summer's Day 

Sandra Lewis Pringle

I enjoy a babbling brook,

with boulders, scattered 'round;

There is just something peaceful,

about that rippling sound.

To see the streams come swiftly,

from somewhere up above;

flowing gently, flowing mightily,

as the River of God's love.

Just to sit and rest a spell,

upon a table rock,

is Heaven upon this earth,

where the dew from Heaven drops.

To wade in cool, clear waters,

and feel the sand between childish toes;

to listen to the mockingbird,

as the water swiftly goes.

To smell the scent of honeysuckle,

growing upon a vine;

Such serenity, such beauty is of God,

and such peace,

is yours and mine.

~© 2006 Sandra Lewis Pringle~

slpENT1@aol.com 

~**~**~

 The Pianist

for Fern

Joan Clifton Costner

Her fingers flew across the keys -

I watched their faces then

As old, familiar words and strains

Began their favored hymn;

So long were known these words and tunes -

So long they had endured!

The comfort felt - the strengthened faith

Compelled the voice I heard.

I watched her sitting straight and tall -

Smiling while she played.

They loved it so and she must know

For she just stayed and stayed.

Voices that were quavering,

Sang out of Heaven's bliss -

And eyes that could not see the words

Scarce any word did miss!

Oh, Savior, how we praise Your name!

Thank You for Your grace!

The blessing of the "gift" bestowed

Enlightened every face!

When all was done...and good-byes said,

We knew You'd been there too,

For melody still echoed in

The minds...still stayed on You!

Joan Clifton Costner

Jody@ ptsi.net

copyright 1999

Readers Feedback

Sweet angelsister, Carol, the story you wrote about your little son, Steven, is certainly touching. I do pray as time passed your Steven came to realize how dearly you love him and reciprocated.

May the Lord continue to bless you, sweet angelsister. Love and warm hugs,

Maryxo

Carol, - Purchasing a Miracle - That was a powerful story.  It got me right in the heart.  We all want
more than anything for our children to be happy and hurt more than they do  when they aren't.  I want you to know, however, that you did a far better job loving him and raising him than you give yourself credit for. Wishing you every joy, Joe

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