Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Dec 30, 2006

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

Today’s Announcements

Happy Birthday B.J. Cassady: BJ.Cassady@af-group.com

Prayers:

Thank you Carol! I ask for your prayers for my ten year old Grandaughter Jasmyn!  She has a MRI on her left leg on 8th Jan to determine if there is a a benign or maliigment growth??? Please God let it be BENIGN! Also a little prayer please  if it is not too much to ask, for my Son (who had the Kidney transplant and is a sick man. His wife lef him after 33yrs, just two days before Christmas and he is shattered.  All of my family  are in a state of shock after three family deaths including Jasmyn's Father when she was just six years old. I am lost for words Carol...Thank you and Bless you all. Violet: violetsrblue7@hotmail.com

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Please note that Storytime Tapestry is a free newsletter to members and there will never be a cost for the newsletter.  Donations are purely voluntary and no member should ever feel guilty for not making a donation at this time.

Today’s Contest Stories

~**~**~

The Light

Michael T. Smith

One of my grandchildren received a fire truck as a Christmas gift. It had flashing
lights and a real siren. I had a fire truck when I was a kid. It didn't have all the lights and
sirens like my grandson's, but it was fun to play with. It even had a ladder that extended
to save my plastic men from ferocious fires in make-believe buildings.
My brothers and I got a lot of gifts when we were young. There were board
games - my brothers and I played with during the long Nova Scotian winter evenings.
Games such as: "Trouble©," "Snakes and Ladders©'" "Monopoly©," and "Checkers©."
I got toy cars to add to my collection. One year "Hot Wheels©" were popular. The cars raced down
a plastic track, spun through a loop, rolled off the end of the track, and rolled across the
floor.
They grew boring.
One gift never failed to amuse me. My aunt gave it to me. It was a flashlight - a
simple flashlight. I excited, when I tore the wrapping paper away and discovered the gift
underneath. It had a shiny metal shaft and fit perfectly in my small hand. The of beam of
light played over the walls and ceiling. I could hardly wait for night.
Most toys break, lose their parts, or are forgotten in dark corners. The flashlight
stayed with me for years. In the dark of night, when I was afraid, I would turn on my light
and feel comforted.
If the power went out, my flashlight would be with me, turning darkness into day.
On foggy nights, its beam was a spotlight, visible for several hundred feet, before the fog
swallowed it up. That light got me through a lot of scary childhood times.
I grew older. The light broke, but I didn't need it anymore. I found a new light to
guide me. My faith in God became my light.
During one of the worse times, when I lost my wife to illness, the darkness
was deep. No shadows could be seen. No moon shined to assist me. I stumbled around
blind, not knowing where to turn. All looked dark. I turned to Him. He lit the way. He
guided me.
I turned to Him, and He gave me a gift. It wasn't a Christmas gift. It wasn't a
birthday gift. It was a life gift. It was a new light. It was a light I could hold when times
were dark and needed comfort. The light has a name. Her name is Ginny. She's my new
wife. She's the light who glows with His love and leads me closer to His loving arms.

Michael T. Smith


Michael Smith
To read my stories or to sign up
to receive my weekly story, go to:
http://archives.zinester.com/86758/
Keep on waving

~**~**~

A Walk In The Forest

Helen Dowd

Living out in the country had its advantages. A ten minute walk would take us right into the thick of the forest.

It started out as just an ordinary Sunday walk with our nine foster children. It was a beautiful, crisp December day, just after the first snowfall of the season. Our intention was to find the perfect Christmas tree, mark it, and come back in two weeks to get it, just in time for Christmas.

The children ranged in age from four to fourteen. As we walked, the younger children would point out different plants, or spot a bird, and ask their names. It became a game amongst us all, to see if we could name them correctly. The older children, having recently learned in school, about forest Flora and fauna, were more knowledgeable than we were about the subject. But soon the game became stale and the children began flopping in the fresh snow to make snow angels. And that's when we heard it. It sounded like a gunshot. We all froze in our tracks as a blood-curdling scream echoed across the snow covered forest.

That there could be danger never entered my mind. I motioned the children to stay put, and despite my husband's protests, I scrambled through the bush to investigate.

A true incident from the past...
The rest of the story, in story-poem style...my point of view.

 God's Creature—The Mink

Helen Dowd

She went for a walk in the forest. The weather was crisp, but not cold. She had with her all of her children. While they walked, a story she told. She taught them of Flora and fauna, explaining the plants growing there. She said, "See these gifts God has given? All nature He's put in our care."

The snow was as soft as a carpet. The children made angels, and sang. The air was filled up with their voices; with laughter the whole forest rang. Then all of a sudden she heard it--a sound like the crack of a gun. She motioned the children to silence. They ceased all their laughter and fun.

‘Twas then that they heard something shrieking, the sound sending chills down their spines. Determined to learn what was crying, the mother crawled near, through the vines. She stopped at the scene of the ruckus. She gasped, taking in a quick breath,for there in a trapper's cruel leg-trap,
was a mink facing ultimate death.

He was snapping, and snarling, and struggling, his eyes flashing terror and hate. The mother knelt down by the ermine, speaking softly, his fears to abate. She wiggled and worked at the leg-trap, till at last she pried open its jaws. With a leap he jumped free of his prison, unharmed, but for one of his paws.

The mink, in his white coat for winter, slithered swiftly away from the site. Then he stopped. He looked back at the mother, his beady-eyes black as the night.

The children have now grown, and left her. That mother's had much time to think. She's convinced that he turned ‘round to thank her for helping
God's creature, the mink.

Helen Dowd

The "Spirit of Christmas"

 by Helen Dowd

The "Spirit of Christmas" does not have to die at midnight on Christmas day.

I have noticed in years gone by, that children can be very selfish and self-centered on Christmas day. But it is not their fault. It is the fault of the adults who put the idea into their heads that Christmas is for children GETTING gifts. But I have also noticed that children can be the ones who teach us adults that the "Spirit of Christmas", if we allow it to remain in our hearts, will linger on and on.

The "Spirit of Christmas" is giving, as well as receiving.

Helen Dowd

hsdowd@telus.net

 ~**~**~

BEST OF FRIENDS

Helen Dowd

Rose woke up the day after Christmas. Her head was all in a spin. She looked at the chaos around her: to tidy, where should she begin? On the carpet were wrappings and tinsel, mixed up with new clothing and toys. In the kitchen disaster was waiting, left there by two girls and three boys.

Very soon her house was in order, the family still snug in their beds. She was thankful that Christmas was over. In the stillness she bowed down her head. It was then that a scene flashed before her, of the many she knew, not so blest. So she prayed, "Oh God, please forgive me for fussing because of the mess.”

*******************

Across town sat a crippled young mother, tears of loneliness streamed from her eyes. The despair Amber felt deep within her, from her family she tried hard to disguise. She glanced across at her children, asleep on a mat on the floor. Her two boys were twins, soon eleven, and the girls, nine, seven, and four.

Christmas day the kids had been happy. Amber's head still throbbed with their noise. "Goodwill" had dropped off a hamper, filled with goodies and a few little toys. Several days, the groceries had lasted. Today, she would use up the meat. But what of next week, or tomorrow? She bowed down her head in defeat.

*******************

Now Rose was back at her office. She looked at the pile on her desk. She shuffled through papers and rubble to decide which case would be next. Her eyes fell on one titled, "Amber". Rose wondered what this was about. After scanning the pages of details, she knew this was one she'd scout out. She picked up the file and her cell-phone, leaving word she'd be back around two. She drove to the number on Fifth Street, not knowing just what she would do. When she knocked she heard a wee shuffle. Crippled Amber soon opened the door. Once inside Rose could see the five children playing quietly down on the floor.

In her hand Amber'd crumpled a letter. How she missed her dear Michael-John. For two years he had been in the prison, two more before he'd be home. Legal aid had promised to help him to prove that "the witness" had lied. She had hoped that the courts would release him, but again, his parole was denied.

Amber wept as she told Rose her story. "I had hoped that soon he'd be home. If I could, I would work for a living, but the children I can't leave alone. And the landlord has given us notice to be out by the end of next week." ... Rose's heart was touched by the story, and now it was her turn to weep.

Rose stood and took leave of the family. Full of thought, she drove across town. She took Amber's case to her husband, a lawyer of worthy renown. Right away Sam jumped into action. He went to the judge at the court. He telephoned Rose at her office: "It's good news I have to report."

That night, with her children around her, Rose talked about poor Amber's plight. Not a word did she say about sharing, but the children were quiet that night. Next morning when they came to breakfast, they had with them clothes, books and toys. They said to their folks, “We have plenty. Please give these to those girls and boys?"

Rose's heart nearly burst with emotion as her children presented their things. And to Amber she said, “Don’t you worry. We've found you a place until spring. By then Michael-John will be with you. My Sam will be taking his case." Rose was moved by Amber's reaction: relief spread all over her face.

Rose and Amber sat sharing refreshments as they watched all their children at play. They became, although previously strangers, best of friends from that very day.

Helen Dowd

hmdowd@telus.net

www.occupytillicome.com

~**~**~

God and Santa

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

I may be in trouble with many preachers, and others here.  But I was thinking about this Santa deal.  First off, lets make one thing real clear here.  God is the greatest gift giver of all time.  All gifts and blessings comes by the love and grace of none other then God.  I care not how one got the new toy, the new what ever, with out God, there is no gifts.

Now as we grow from a baby we learn many things.  I can't remember when I learned this Santa deal is a joke.  And some times learning it is a mean nasty joke.  I grew up in what was hard times.  I as a little fellow started to wonder some where along the line about things.  Why did that mean no good so and so get a truck load of stuff at Christmas time and  I gets almost nothings.  I am a poor kid, I got a toy of really not what I had hopes for.  It might be a toy that cost at most 5 dollars.  That kid over there cross the street, has a ton of toys.  He can't play with them all in a week, but here I gets one little toy.  Is he better then I am?  Guess so,  I didn't rate too good on the good list for this past year. 

Now in a way I guess I have come to a different idea about the Santa deal. It still is a mean nasty joke in many ways.  But have you ever thought about how in a way God and Santa can be worked together?  God gives the gifts,, that is true, But . Santa can be any one. We all some times or other turn into Santa just for maybe a day or two.

God may work on a person a bit to do something out of the goodness of heart.  Your walking along say near Christmas time.  You pass by a bell ringer,  maybe you don't have much to be happy about.  This may be rough times for you even.  But you dig in the pocket, and put in a few coins.  It may be just a quarter, but all at once you have a small glow in your heart.  You are Santa, your quarter may help some poorer soul in greater need.

There is many places in your Bible that tells you this.  It is more blessed to give, then to receive.  But who gave you the gift to give in the first place?  God is the only answer.  You may be Santa, but with out God, you have no gifts to put under the tree.

I think and I have no idea at what age a child should be told the truth of Santa and other jokes like the Easter Bunny.  But there comes a time a child should be told.  All gifts comes from Mama and Daddy, and other family members, and friends.  But God is the one the gifts really came from.

Santa is, and can be you or me, we got the blessings and gifts from God in the first place.  and remember this,  God is the greatest gift giver of all time.  John 3;16. 

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5   

~**~**~

Rainbow Bridge Gang Special, Thank You

Tinker and Poo and Gang

tinkerpoo2000@yahoo.com

It is your Christmas time of the year, and we wish, all of us at the Bridge do wish each and every one a Very Merry Christmas. 

We have a special reason to wish this for each and every one of you.  We have noticed the special prayers and well wishes many has offered up in the cause of one of our kind, still with you.  Peaches, a Collie. Peaches was hurt and hurt bad. We do not know if with out your many prayers to our Heavenly Father, if Peaches would be on the road to recovery.  You by your prayers showed that you too believe that our Father in Heaven does love and watch over all things.

We know there is many, and a lot of those claim to be leaders of the flocks of people on earth,  those are said to be God's Shepherds. Some of  these people forget one thing.  God made every thing, every thing is his. He loved every thing he made. He there fore watches over every thing he made.  That puts Peaches in that class also, Peaches is one of his.  When the prayers started coming to the ear of God,  it was noticed, and the prayers was heard.  With the hand of God, Peaches is on the road to recovery.   Peaches is not out of the woods just yet, but with out your prayers, Peaches might well be here with us.

Is it not wrote many places in your Bible..  Ask, pray to God for your needs, and hopes, and dreams,  God will hear.  In all cases he will do what is best for you.

We will not write a long letter today, as we know some times just a little note will do. We just wanted you to know.  It is true,, more things happen by praying, then maybe you know.  Yes your prayers was heard here by God.  He seen one of his was much loved, and he put his hand on the needs of Peaches. 

Merry Christmas,, one and all from all the Gang.  May God Bless each and every one.

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

Poetry Contest Corner

~**~**~

"AN OLD~FASHION'D  CHRISTMAS"
Mary Carter Mizrany

Let's have an old~fashion'd Christmas
the kind folks shared long ago . . .
with carolers singing from house to house
and candles in windows aglow ~

When doors were widely opened
inviting the carolers inside . . .
a cup of wassel  with  gingerbread
all aboard for a fun sleigh ride ~

Let's have the kind of Christmas
folk are happy for church bells to chime . . .
where Jesus is not gone from the manger
His Nativity is never  a crime!  ~

Yes, I remember such Christmases
when the focus was upon the Lord . . .
there wasn't even an A C L U
to put a stop to God's Word !  ~

The Salvation Army was never banned
people were anxious to  give . . .
neighbor did not distrust neighbor
The Good Book taught folks how to live ~

Peace wasn't something just talked about
oh, NO, it lived deep down in the heart . . .
no treaty was signed by the United Nations
for nothing could keep us apart!  ~

Oh, let's have an old~fashion'd Christmas
share Jesus the wide  world o'er . . .
Joy to the World the Lord has come
let's love and let love evermore!

 Mary Carter Mizrany

Musingbymary@aol.com

December 19, 2006
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given;  and
the government shall be upon
his shoulder:  and his name
shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

~**~**~

" N A T I V I T Y "
Mary Carter Mizrany

Lil' children re~enact
Christ's holy Nativity . . .
tiny Mary and  small Joseph
as they kneel so humbly ~

Precious babe,  dear Christ Jesus,
lies asleeping  on the hay . . .
glorious beams shine from Heav'n
upon the manger where HE lay ~

E'en the animals bow in awe
before HIM to adore . . .
for they have  never witness'd
a King's special birth before ~

Shepherds come to worship HIM
and wise men from afar . . .
bring  gold, frankincense, myrrh
they followed HIS bright star ~

Creatures HE created were
in awe of HIS birth . . .
wondering where the throne
of this God~Man come to earth  ~

The Seraphim & Cherabim
glorify HIM from above . . .
"Peace on earth ~ good will to men"
born a Saviour ~ purest LOVE ~

Though a babe so sweet & fair
HE'LL die a sacrifice some day  . . .
holy blood ~ Eternal Stream
'twill wash  all our sins away ~

Celebrate with us HIS birth
adore & praise ~ worship & love . . .
Fairest One ~ Jesus our Lord
sent to earth from Heav'n above !

Mary Carter Mizrany©
December 20, 2006

And there were in the same country
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them:  and they
were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them,
"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you
tidings of great joy, which shall be
to all people.
For unto you is born day in the city
of David a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels
were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another,
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass,
which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found
Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying
in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made
known abroad the saying which was
told them concerning this child.

St. Luke 2:8~17

Mary Carter Mizrany

Musingbymary@aol.com

Readers Feedback

Hi Jan,

I was thrilled to read your story in StoryTime Tapestry.  I have been guilty of poking a busy elbow through a few Picassos in my lifetime. This happened because I tried to make things too perfect on my own, and didn't wait to receive God's blessing first.  Only through Him can we ever achieve perfection, and it will not be in this life, but the one beyond.

Thank you for your wonderful story and welcome to StoryTime.  I look forward to reading more of your work.

Love and Blessings

Leeuna

Hi Michael,

Sharing a 'tree story' with you.  Probably 50 years ago, my husband, baby daughter, mother in law and I lived together in a small southern Ohio village. Laws were not as strict as today or if so, we were unaware of them.  Hubby took a stroll into the woods to cut a Christmas tree, brought it home but his Mom said that no way would it work so with anger (huffing and puffing)he walked upon a railroad trestle and cut the top out of a tree; the most beautiful tree I have seen since or before....awwwwwwww, the pleasure of finding the right tree?   Happy New Year everyone,  Norma Liles

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

Newman, Bruce                   The Glue of The Universe                  Dec 20(see special treat)

Meeks, Carol                       Oh Israel, Oh Israel                                           Dec 21

Meeks, Carol                       Even The Animals Know                                    Dec 21

Meeks, Carol                       Christmas Blessings                                         Dec 21

Meyers, Dan                         Noel - The Dyslexic Christmas Angel            Dec 21(see special treat)

Cavalera, Robyn                   Dear Santa                                                            Dec 21

Cavalera, Robyn                   Happy Birthday Jesus                                        Dec 21

Bryant, Sharon                    The Sweater                                                         Dec 21

Foster, Leeuna                     The Gifts of The Giver                                        Dec 22(see special treat)

Deming, Barbara A Special Christmas Ride                 Dec 22

Roney, Barbara                    Christmas Nostalgia                                          Dec 22

Roney, Barbara                    Baby Jesus                                                           Dec 22

Walker, Bill                         That Night                                                            Dec 22

Allin, Bill                              Christmas: Most of it Doesn’t Matter             Dec 22(see beyond the Mirror)

Meeks, Carol                       Year 1995 for me                                                Dec 23

Walker, Bill                         No Room                                                                Dec 23

Berry, Nell                           The Birth of A King                                            Dec 23

Berry, Nell                           Seasons Change                                                  Dec 23

Berry, Nell                           Did Mary Really Know                                       Dec 23

Westerfer, Clara O’ Christmas Tree                                             Dec 23

Roach, Carol                        I Should be Happy but I am not                          Dec 24(see Carol’s Corner)

Holbrook, Mariane              Little Alma’s Christmas Present                    Dec 24(see Special Treat)

Walker, Bill                         The Broken Runner On St. Nick’s Sled        Dec 24

Walker, Bill                         Blue Christmas                                                   Dec 24

Walker, Joe                         What Would Santa Do?                                     Dec 24

Berry, Nell                           You Think You Got a Problem                          Dec 24

Berry, Nell                           The Light of Christmas                                     Dec 24

Dowd, Hartson                      Christmas Eve                                                      Dec 24(see fascinating facts)

Smith, Michael                    Little Bell                                                             Dec 25

Roach, Carol                        Hannah’s Special Christmas                            Dec 25(see Carol’s Corner)

Fox, David                              I’m Triply Blessed                                              Dec 25

Deming, Barbara Christmas Memories                                         Dec 25

Bryant, Sharon                    Don’t Tell Anyone You Know Me                     Dec 25

Walker, Bill                         Christmas, 1914                                 Dec 26

Cassady, B.J.                        Christmas, 2002                                 Dec 26

Walker, Joe                         The Still Small Voice of Christmas                Dec 26

Smith, Michael                    Christmas, Dealing with Loss                          Dec 26

Young, Ina Townsend          Goodbye Home                                                      Dec 26

Cassady, B.J.                        Christmas on the Frontier                                Dec 27(see special treat)

Smith, Michael                    Memory Tree                                                       Dec 27

Shaw, Bob                             A Christmas Puppy                                             Dec 27

Liles, Norma                        From the Manger he Speaks                             Dec 27

Bryant, Sharon                    I Want to Write The Story                                Dec 27

Gibbs, Nancy                        Ordinary People                                                  Dec 28(see special treat)

Berry, Nell                           The Introduction of A King                               Dec 28

Walker, Bill                         The Gift                                                 Dec 28

Hunt, Sharlett                      Christmas Lost and Found                                Dec 28

Smith, Michael                    Special Days, Painful Memories                      Dec 28

Eckles, Janet Perez            Watch Those Elbows!                                         Dec 29(see special treat)

Smith, Michael                    I Found My Tree                                                  Dec 29

Liles, Norma                        Give Credit Where Credit is Due                    Dec 29

Bryant, Sharon                    The Freeway Ramp                                              Dec 29

Mizrany, Mary Carter        An Old-Fashion’d Christmas                            Dec 30

Mizrany, Mary Carter        Nativity                                                                 Dec 30

Smith, Michael                    The Light                                                              Dec 30

Cassady, B.J.                        The Search For Christmas                               Dec 30(see special treat)

Dowd, Helen                          A Walk in the Forest                                          Dec 30

Dowd, Helen                          God’s Creature the Mink                  Dec 30

Dowd, Helen                          The Spirit of Christmas                                     Dec 30

Dowd, Helen                          Best Friends                                                         Dec 30

Walker, Bill                         God and Santa                                                      Dec 30

Walker, Bill                         Rainbow Bridge Gang Special Thank you      Dec 30