Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Feb 13, 2007

Today’s Announcements

I made another mistake, Cheryl Williams had two stories yesterday, Valentines Day and My Very First Valentine, missed the title on the second story about Chuck.

Today’s Valentine Stories

~**~**~

  The Lady I Spend Lunch With

Michael Smith

"Kathy?" the moderator of the conference called asked.
"Do you have anything to add?"
"I'm fine." she replied.
"Andrea?" Deb asked.

"Good here."
"Terry?"
"Nope! I'm good."
"Courtney?"
"Fine."
"Mike?"
"I'm fine. Good call, everyone." I replied. "I'll send the  spread sheet out tomorrow. We'll talk on Thursday. Hopefully I'll have answers to our problems by then, Deb."
I hung up. "Glad that's over." I said to myself. I looked at the clock - 11:55 A.M. The call ended just in time for me to meet my lady for our noontime walk.

I meet her outside the main entrance to my building, where she waits for me every day. "Hi!" I smile.
"Hey! How's your morning going?" she asks. My heart skips a beat by just the sound of her voice.
"Pretty good." I just got through my conference call in time. I thought I was going to miss you." I say as we round the corner of the building, cross the parking lot, and approach the wooded area in the back. My voice drops to a whisper, "I wonder if the deer will be around today?"
"I hope they are." she says. "I know how much you love them."

She allows me to guide her along the edge of the woods, as I peer intently through the tangle of branches, hoping to see my big furry friends. "I don't see them." I tell her.
"I'm sorry."
"It's OK. Maybe they found better feeding somewhere else today."

I follow the path between the trees and humming transformer that is protected by a wire fence. The humming fades away as I turn the corner, headed for the side street we like to follow on our lunch break. The road is bordered by office buildings on one side and chestnut trees or fields on the other.

We reached the grassy strip between the chestnuts and the road. We stop. A young doe is feeding on the grass not more than twenty feet away. "There she is." I whisper.
"What?" she asks.
"A young doe." I describe it to her. "She's beautiful. She's eating the grass."
"Really?"
"Yeah! She looked up at the sound of my voice and then continued feeding. I bet there are more around. There's usually more than one."

The deer grew nervous, as I continued to describe it to my friend.  It wandered into the brush. I guided my friend to where the deer disappeared and peered into the woods. "There's more." I said with a hint of excitement in my voice.

"Wow! I wish I could see them too." She sighed, "I guess I should  just be thankful to spend time with you."
"AW! Thank you, sweetie."

We continued to walk as I describe the scenery around me. "I think they better cut the grass in the field. It's beginning to look like a meadow." The field fell behind as we came to a bike trail and strolled along it. I feel an urge to hold my friend's hand, but I know I can't. It's just not possible.

We passed a senior citizen complex, rounded a corner and followed the trail along a strip of trees between two soccer fields. It is my favorite part of our walk. I always see a lot of birds along this strip - some I've never seen before. I lower my voice. "I hope I see some birds today. I didn't see many yesterday."

"I hope so too." Her voice a soft whisper in my ear.
"Hold on! I think I see something."
"What is it?"
I'm not too sure. I've never seen one like this before." I inched us closer.
   

"It has a tuft on its head. The back is brownish color, then fades to a grey near the tail. It has a black mask across the eyes. The tips of its wings have red and there's a red spot at the base of its tail. The tip of the tail and the sides of its breast are yellowish. The breast is cream color. It is so pretty."
"Wow I wish I could see it too. Do you know what it is?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"A bird."
"Michael! Stop teasing me!" she scolds.
"Sorry!" I chuckle. "I'm not sure. I'll have to look it up in my bird book when I get home."

We reach the end of the trail, turn and head back the way we came. "I love spending my lunch with you." I say.
"I enjoy it too."
"I'm glad. It would be boring without you to share it with me."

I get that I-want-to-hold-her-hand feeling again. "It's so pleasant being with you.

"Thank you, Hun."

We reach the door to my building. "I have to go in now, Sweetie.
Thanks for sharing your lunch hour with me."
"No! I thank you." She replies.
"I love you, Sweetie!" Those words felt so natural to say to her.
"I love you too!" She says the words that always melt my heart.
 "I love you more! It's my day."
 "Yes it is. I Love you too. Call me when you're on your way home."
"I will, Sweetie. Bye!"
"Bye."

I close my cell phone. "I love my wife." I say to no one. "I can't wait to get home and hold her in my arms."

Michael T. Smith

Send your comments to: msmith4@nj.rr.com

~**~**~

  I Just Want to Hold You

Michael Smith

The sound of chirping birds rouses me from sleep. I open my eyes and see
sunlight streaming into our bedroom through the half opened blinds. I roll to my right and
look at my wife Ginny. She's so beautiful.
I think back to the day we first met. It was the day Ginny captured my heart. She
stepped through the arrival gate at the airport and into my arms. I held her for the first
time and knew, one day she'd be my wife.
She sleeps as I continue to stare. Unable to restrain myself, I slide across the bed.
Still sleeping, she instinctively rolls to her side, allowing me to snuggle against her back.
My right arm slips under her pillow. My left stretches over her side and cups her to me.
I hold her.
I place my head next to hers, smelling her hair. My right hand, still cupping her,
rises and falls with each breath she takes. My eyes close. A sigh escapes my heart.
Holding her, I feel more warmth, comfort and completeness, than I have ever felt before.
We hold each other every night as we sleep. In the mornings, as I leave for work,
we hold each other and say, "I love you!"
I arrive home from work. She's always there to greet me with a smile.
We hold.
Later in the evening, we sit side-by-side.
We hold
I pull Ginny tight to me - her skin smooth against mine. Another sigh escapes
me. The love I feel for Ginny makes me melt into her. Our bodies become one.
Every day, hour, minute and second I want to hold her. I'm not complete without
her. I thought I knew what love was, but I was wrong.
I snuggle tight to her.
This is love.
Love is holding and never wanting to let go.
  Ginny, I just want to hold you.

Michael T. Smith

msmith4@nj.rr.com

 ~**~**~

Valentine Poetry Corner

~**~**~

Special Valentine's Day Sentiments

Cynthia Groopman

Sentiments of deep affection, to you my beloved ones, I do convey,
For you to cherish and treasure on this special Valentine's Day
May your heart sprightly dance with elation's smiling glee,
And may your thoughts be optimistic, happy and free of anxiety.
May you sing melodies expressing sentiments precious and so dear,
And may you be enfolded into the glowing arms of mirthful cheer.
May love's exquisite glory tenderly caress you,
And brilliant blue skies crowned with sparkling sunshine,
Beam through and through.
For your wonderful friendship means so very much to me,
As it touches my heart gently.
For being such a very important part of my life,
Does bring me such deep pleasure,
And that is why you are like a jewel, so priceless and indeed a  rare treasure.
So, savor and enjoy every special moment of this Valentine's Day,
My devoted friend,
As a bouquet of fragrant sentiments, to you, I jubilantly send.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Copyright ©2005 Cynthia L. Groopman

~**~**~

A Special Greeting On Valentine's Day
Cynthia Groopman

To you, my friends so cherished and dear
I send you this special Valentine's Day greeting,
with bouquets of fragrant floral words, full of mirthful cheer.
With every affectionate thought, so sparkling and sweet,
To you, I send a delicious chocolate heart shaped treat.
Radiant smiles as brilliant as the warm glowing sun,
Are given to you with messages of laughter, glee, and pleasurable fun.
With embraces and caresses so loving and tender,
Bluebirds jubilantly sing melodies of happiness,
In a voice majestic and full of splendor.
For, I truly care for you with all of my heart,
As our friendship is eternal and our ways we shall never part.
So my best friends, all I can truly say,
Is for you to savor each treasured moment of this memorable day.
For our friendship is like a springtime flower,
Blooming with such joy and exquisite emotional power.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

A Very Special Valentine Heart
Cynthia Groopman

As I was quietly looking around,
Suddenly I heard a truly amazing jubilant sound.
This happened to me as I was walking through every magnificent gift shop aisle,
And then I felt the warmth of a glowing radiant smile.
It beamed with such exquisite aura  so sparkling and bright,
And as I began to touch it,
It was indeed a joy to behold and a truly  beautifully astounding sight.
Oh, what could it be,
As my mind and heart began to be filled with mazeful mystery.
Then, I couldn't believe my ears,
Because my heart began to dance and sing with mirthful cheer.
A heart shaped music box began to call me in an elated tone,
And as I grasped it fondly in my arms, I no longer felt sad or alone.
For in the delightful melodic voice of an angel, musical notes of love,
It did outpour, and the song I did truly adore.
For, my mom's favorite song, I cheerfully heard,
And her majestic voice was singing each and every word.
For the song was You Are My Sunshine,
And then and only then did I finally realize, 
That maternal love transcends death and ageless time.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Copyright ©2005 Cynthia L. Groopman
~**~**~

With All My Heart
Cynthia Groopman

With all of my heart, words of encouragement I shall find,
To help the weary and downtrodden achieve peace of mind.
A prayer I shall say,
To add happiness and joy to another's day.
Anger and hostility, I shall try to tame,
And grudges in my life shall disappear and never remain.
With all of my heart, charity I shall give,
For the poor and needy to successfully live.
With an open hand,
Misery, homelessness, anguish and misfortune,
Shall begin to be cared for within each and every land.
With all of my heart, I shall hear,
Expressions of anxiety fright and fear.
With solace and optimism,
All souls will be crowned with elation's shining splendor.
As God will lovingly embrace all with caresses so gentle and tender.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Copyright ©2005 Cynthia L. Groopman

Readers Feedback

 LOVER'S REFLECTION FOUND - Thank you for publishing Tim Kevin's beautiful poetry. His work always gives me a sense of hope and determination for the days still ahead. He forces me to believe that we are never too old to find love. Dianna