Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Dec 20, 2006

Our Christmas, Channukah, Kwanzaa, New Years, holidays Contest 

Today’s Contest Stories

~**~**~

THROUGH HIS EYES

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     My oldest son is always the first to get the Christmas Spirit in our house. He usually gets it a few weeks before Thanksgiving. It is a joy to watch. With both the heart of a child and the soul of an angel he cherishes everything about this time of the year. He takes so much happiness in putting our decorations up. He takes so much pleasure in our evening drives to look at the outdoor lights on other people’s houses. He takes so much delight in singing in the school choir’s Christmas show. He laughs and smiles though every Christmas movie we watch. He enjoys all the Christmas music in the air. He always shakes the hands of the Salvation Army bell ringers while I put cash in their kettles. He always enjoys the presents we get him too, but the present he gives us is far more precious. That present is seeing the way he lives with so much peace and happiness every single day of his life. He is the embodiment of the Christmas Spirit all year long.

     I am sure that God and all the angels must be smiling down as they watch this "special" son of mine. He lives the way we all should live. He sees the beauty of the world, the miracle of life, and the love of God in all things. He awakens the Christmas Spirit in me and everyone else he meets. I could never be a Scrooge myself, because I have the Spirit of Christmas Love and Joy sleeping down the hall from me. I only wish that the whole world could see Christmas and life through his eyes.

     My simple Christmas hope then is that all of you try to see life with the same joy, love, kindness, peace, happiness, wonder, and delight that my son does. If you do this you truly will be giving yourself a glorious gift. If you do this God and His angels will always be smiling down on you. If you do this everyday will be Christmas.

Joe Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com

~**~**~

Tis The Season To Go Shopping

 Leeuna Foster

I've never been a fan of Old Man Winter. To say that Jack Frost nips at my nose is a gross understatement. My favorite winter sport is hibernating. When the mercury dips below forty degrees I'm off to sit by the fire with my blanket.

Each year I promise myself that I will do my Christmas shopping early, like maybe in July. And each year I don't. Unfortunately, I'm no better at keeping a secret than I am with keeping a promise to myself. I would probably end up giving the grandchildren their Christmas presents for Labor Day, and I would still have to Christmas shop.

Since Thanksgiving is now a faint memory, and all the advertisers on TV and radio are screaming about the scant number of shopping days until Christmas, I figured it was about time I headed out to the shopping mall. I put on my winter wander wear which consists of five pairs of socks, four mohair sweaters, three down-filled jackets, two pairs of gloves, and a partridge in a pear tree... let Jack Frost try and nip that! I was dreading the task, even before I opened the door and stepped outside. I really wanted to stay home by the fire and roast my chestnuts, but my shopping days were numbered. So, armed with a can of pepper spray in case a sale happened to break out, and wearing my shin guards to protect against the inevitable shopping cart injuries, I headed out toward the retail jungle.

After driving around the parking lot for forty-seven minutes, I finally spied a parking space within throwing distance of the main entrance. As if by magic, a mini van filled with teenagers appeared in the parking spot, making me wonder if I had only imagined the empty space. They smiled at me apologetically as if to say, "We're sorry we're younger and faster than you are." I smiled back and shrugged it off, thinking, "Well, falalalala lala la! I'm a senior and I get free coffee, so there!"

I finally found a parking spot just inside the county line, and the fun began. Eight hours and an entire check book later, I was all done...well all except for that special gift for my hubby. I had the perfect gift in mind, I just needed to find the right color. He already has my gift wrapped and under the tree. The package looks suspiciously like the box containing the black powder rifle he bought me last year. I'm guessing that this year, he bought me the Remington® Model 7600 High Gloss Centerfire deer rifle I overheard him telling one of his hunting buddies about on the phone last week. So I decided to get him a set of Royal Patrician English China in a delicate Summer Rose pattern, along with some lovely kitchen curtains.

My task finally completed, I took a place in line behind a hundred and eighty other noisy shoppers who were filled with the holiday spirit...or something? I breathed a prayer of thanks for my shin guards as another shopping cart crashed into my legs for the umpteenth time. Above the sound of haggard parents threatening to take away the entire holiday and any hope of the next birthday from their screaming, crying, tantrum-throwing children, I could hear the strains of the song 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' streaming from the sound system. I heaved a sigh and wondered if I would make it to the cash register by New Year's Day.

I swear...next year I'm doing my Christmas shopping in July!

Leeuna Foster

newbizacct@yahoo.com

~**~**~

A Very Special Christmas

By P.S.Gifford

Dear reader…Picture a blistering, cold winter day in England in say, oh how about, 1976. Now imagine further if you would be so kind a town, we can call it Erdington, on the outskirts of a much bigger city, you may of heard of, called Birmingham…A wonderful historical city that is directly in the heart of England. It is a day where snow had gently decorated the normal grey city, giving it a truly picturesque almost magical appearance…It is the day after Christmas, or how it is known in many parts of the world , Boxing day-a day where you might imagine, fairytales do indeed come true.

     Imagine right there in Erdington, dear reader, just off the main street filled with  a vast variety shops, banks and cafes, all closed on this particular day, such a place as a three storied Victorian house…A house that once had seven bedrooms and was home to a  rather prosperous and distinguished family no doubt, perhaps a family that even had a small fleet of servants taking care of it for them…A house that was surely once exceedingly grand and splendid, a house  though that in modern times had been converted into three flats, a flat for every level.

Do you see it? Good.

      Now picture a young, pale boy with mousy brown badly styled hair, dressed in hand me down, out of date, clothing. An oversized pair of glasses, whose frame is kept together by scotch tape perch on the boy’s nose…he is a quiet boy, insecure and incredibly shy..

      He has just eaten a delicious traditional holiday meal of turkey, roast potatoes, stuffing, peas, and mince pies with custard along with all of the wonderful side dishes and sauces that traditionally accompany a good old fashioned English Christmas feast. This delicious faire was lovingly prepared by his mother

      The day before, Christmas, the boy spent with his father, as his parents were regrettably divorced. After dinner, and before the Christmas pudding and custard, a cracker was pulled. Inside that cracker would have been a riddle, a small toy, and a silly brightly colored paper hat. He would have placed that hat on his head…Which made him look even sillier…But he did not care as he was having a wonderful time..

       It would have been about then, that his mother would have brought out of the bedroom, perhaps from a hiding place on top of the wardrobe, a large brightly colored box and grinning broadly presented it to the excited young man.

        The boy’s eyes would have gazed over with delight at the site of such a large gift. After giving his mother a loving hug, can you imagine a smile, a really big smile on the young boy’s face, as he eagerly tore off the wrapping paper?

‘I wonder what it is?’ he must have surely thought. But deep down I suspect that he knew all the time what it was as it was something that he had wanted for a very, long time…

       Moments later, the boy had tears in his young blue eyes as he realized it was indeed what he had always wanted…A typewriter.

      Now, you must understand something. That boy since as long as he could remember had loved one thing more than anything else…Reading. Yes, from the  tender age of seven he was devouring books any chance he had.There was a small local library a short walk from his home, and he used to go there several times a week. By the time he was nine and ten, he was reading H.G.Wells, Jules Verne, Roald Dahl, Charles Dickens and so, so , so many others. For you see, he had a rather sad life. His parents were divorced and his brother and sister had left home…This meant that he got to spend a lot of time by himself…But through the books he read he lived a very exciting life. He traveled in space, to the bottom of the ocean, back in time, and even into the future; all from the safety of his bedroom, all through the power of the written word.

      As the boy looked at the blue electric typewriter, that his mother had just given him…Tears streamed down his face-and then, with a particularly silly Christmas hat still perched on his head, he began to type. His mother could never have realized what an important, meaningful present that was…As when he began to write, his imagination began to run and run and run and run…

     Well, all that happened over thirty years ago. Years later that boy, as a young man, left Birmingham and England far, far, far behind him…As he and his father moved to California to begin a new life… And what a life it was for that young boy. His mother, unfortunately died several years ago, back in England…His father is still doing well, even though he is now in his late seventies…In fact he still works three days of week, and surely wouldn’t have it any other way.

       And what happened to that boy, I hear you ask dear reader. Well surely by now you must have guessed. He continued to read, dream and write- In fact these days he even has had a few stories published… That boy of course, well it was me.

P.S. Gifford

psgifford@earthlink.net

Contest Poetry

 ~**~**~

 The Most Reverent Night
Carol Dee Meeks

The most reverent
night on earth
advanced hope and faith
because of His birth.

Joy was around.
Even the animals
did abound

in love
and magnificence,
with warmth
and significance.

The prophecy was now true.
The radiance of His
splendor was in view.

Even wise men came from afar,
their path paved by the star.
And they all knew
He came to save us from sin.
This little boy Jesus,
the King, born that night,
at the stable inn.

Open your heart
and let Him come in.
Celebrate Christmas this year
like they did way back then.

© 2002 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html
~**~**~

 A Baby Boy was Born
Carol Dee Meeks

In a lowly manger
a baby boy was born
'midst a town of strangers,

perhaps hydrangeas,
a baby boy was born
in a lowly manger.

A holy night changer
a baby boy was born
'midst a town of strangers.

Could be called a ranger
a baby boy was born
in a lowly manger.

His life was in danger
a baby boy was born
'midst a town of strangers.

He came as arranger
this baby boy when born
in a lowly manger
'midst a town of strangers.

© 2006 Carol Dee Meeks
VILLANELLE
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html
~**~**~

 
Christmas Day
Carol Dee Meeks

The guide that led
them from the East
shined at night from afar.

Its magnificence glowed for all to see.
closer they crept, these Three Wise Men,
across the plains and hills of country.

Prophecy had this King proclaimed.
In their travels they learned not His name.

They traveled for days,
for miles and miles,
to seek the light from the star;
that shined so bright as they traveled from afar.

It led them to the child where He lay.
The child that laid upon the hay.
His mom and dad were OH! so proud,
and all the angels were singing out-loud.

This is why we have Christmas Day.
To worship the babe who laid on the hay.
He came to life on Christmas Day
to save us from sin; to take sin away.

© 2002 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

Readers Feedback

How beautiful.  I have been receiving so many nice letters Carol. My mother will be thrilled!

I will spend a joy filled day at the hospital on Christmas Day. Having Mother with us again this year is the greatest gift and my cup runneth over. Hence I say "Lord please bless all those who prayed for mother" ..Thank you. Love ellie

Ellie: Mother - I will think of her and our soldiers in Iraq on Christmas Eve Mass when I sing solist, O Holy Night during the communion. Pray that my voice is clear, healthy, and I have my nerves under control so I could give to my Lord, Jesus, the gift of my singing as a birthday gift. Amen... Tannia

Sharon, three very heart felt and warm stories together is too much for me. It was hard to hold back my tears reading your stories..... But at the same time, they allow me to focus better on the important things on life; my husband, my children, my family in Jesus Christ, my Storytime Tapestry new friends, and the gift and talents God gave me for His uses. Amen....  TANNIA

Arnot: That sweet story of the Little Red Sock has a meaning beyond the socks.... Sometimes, we, feel abandon and neglected and then God surprises us and find the right place and time for us to shine..... It takes trust and patience to understand God's plan for us.... I enjoyed it very much. TANNIA

N. Berry, a powerful prayer.... It made me think.... TANNIA

Contest Submissions that have been posted only, this means only the stories that have been published in Storytime Tapestry and not the articles that are still waiting in the queue.  The list gets bigger each day as more and more stories are added.

Please refer to the archives: http://archives.zinester.com/98907 if you want to reread an article before voting.

Name:                            Title:                              Date published

Ortiz-Lopes, Tannia           From Devine To Human                                     Dec 17 (see special treat)

Blaine, Pamela                     The Very Best Gift Of All                 Dec 17

Shaw, Bob                             Buttermilk                                                           Dec 17

Aro                                         A Visit From Tanner Claus                              Dec 17

Joseph, Brian                       The Gift of Giving                                                Dec 18 (see special treat)

Walker, Bill                         Rainbow Ridge Special Report, Gizzy             Dec 18

Gold, Ron                              Christmas Kindnesses                                       Dec 18

Gold, Ron                              A Merry Jewish Christmas                              Dec 18

Haley, Ellie Braun               Mother                                                                   Dec 19(see special treat)

McCallum, Arnot                The Little Red Sock                                            Dec 19

Bryant, Sharon                    The Meaning                                                        Dec 19

Bryant, Sharon                    The Shoe Store                                                    Dec 19

Byrant, Sharon                    You Walk With Angels                                     Dec 19

Berry, Nell                           A Christmas Prayer                                           Dec 19

Foster, Leeuna                     Tis the Season to go Shopping                          Dec 20

Gifford, P.S.                          A Very Special Christmas                                Dec 20

Mazzella, Joe                       Through His Eyes                                               Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       The Most Reverent Night                  Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       A Baby Boy Was Born                                       Dec 20

Meeks, Carol                       Christmas Day                                                     Dec 20

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Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

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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; Meeks, Carol; Mizrany, Mary Carter; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Pringle, Sandra Lewis; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Smith; Michael; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

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