Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

March 24, 2007

Today’s Announcements

Another perfect miracle and gift from God.  Hunter Dale Kuykendall, born March, 20th, 2007 in Talahani, OK, weighing a whopping 9 lbs. 9.4oz.  Beautiful and perfect in every way.  We were told that the baby might be born with Downs Syndrome and other problems but God heard our prayers and gave us a perfectly healthy miracle. I want to personally thank everyone who lifted us up in prayer.  God Bless and Keep you all.

Cheers!

Regina Easlon

luckofaladybug@alltel.net

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

TEACHERS IN DISGUISE

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     The poet Robert Browning once said, "Take away love and our Earth is a tomb." Thankfully, I have been able to choose love and avoid that tomb so far in my own life. I have been fortunate too that God has given me so many great teachers who have shown me what it really means to love. I haven’t always been the greatest student and I know I have a long way to go. Still, with their help I keep trying to choose love and learn more about love everyday of my life.

     One of my greatest teachers is very different from the rest. This teacher is my youngest son. He has a severe form of Autism that limits his speech and keeps him trapped in his own world most of the time. Changes in the simplest things disturb him. The smallest difficulties frustrate him. His mood can go from extremely happy to very sad in a heartbeat. Often he cries for no reason I can see and all I can do is hold him and wait for it to stop.

     Even with all he has to go through, however, my son has still shown me so much about love and about joy. He has shown me that love must be unconditional, patient, kind, and giving. He has shown me that love means sometimes just being there for someone even though you can’t solve their problems or ease their pain. He has shown me that love is its own reward.

     He has also shown me, though, that a child’s laugh can sound as lovely and joyous as an angel’s song. He has also shown me that the light in a person’s eyes can twinkle as beautifully as the stars. He has also shown me that a single smile can warm a heart and uplift a soul. He has also shown me that a Heavenly spirit can shine through any disability. He has also shown me that God sometimes sends us our greatest teachers and angels in disguise. My son didn’t need words, a PhD, or a brilliant mind to teach me. All he needed was the loving heart and the joyous soul God gave him. May all of you learn as much from your own teachers in disguise.

Joe Mazzella

 joecool@wirefire.com

~**~**~

   If you know of anyone who may need help because of grieving please pass
along this note ..THANKS Ellie


58 ways TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF YOUR LOVED ONE.
"Often we set out to make a difference in the lives of others, only to discover we have made a difference in our own.".." E Braun-Haley

SMILE! GREETINGS and hello from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

I want to share a helpful and comprehensive (growing) list of 58 ways to CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF A LOVED ONE. I also have a small poem I am sending to you for your use .

My name is Ellie Braun-Haley and I am a grieving mother. My own son, Jason, died at 17, and subsequently I was led on a revealing , inspiring, and healing journey. Today, 17 years after Jason's death I feel I have regained my harmony.

IN THE FOLLOWING POEM: Where you find the name Jason, simply remove it
and insert the name of the person who has died, then share the poem with the family.

Also do feel free to contact me if you wish me to share with you,
a list of 58 ways to celebrate the life of your loved one.
Many people helped me compile this list following the death of my only son. IT IS LENGTHY AND I DO NOT WISH TO SEND IT UNLESS YOU WANT IT. (there is no charge)

WHERE GOODNESS ABOUNDS

Away in a safe place
that God’s angels know,
A young child is nurtured
and pure love doth flow,
Laughter is heard
and you know there is play
Kindness lives there
as part of each day.

Our Father is present
his love complete and true
Guiding and teaching
like all parents do
Here, thrives compassion;
faith and goodness abound,
Knowledge, understanding
and learning are found.

Jason left us so early,
with heartache and pain
Fears haunted our thoughts,
we’d not see him again
But he waits in that safe place
surrounded by love
Where we’ll be reunited
in the Heaven’s above.
Dedicated to the memory my son, Jason
by Ellie Braun-Haley

Be Well,
Ellie Braun-Haley

P.S. If you are at all interested in a book that may help give hope to grieving individuals go to evrcanada.com (and to Eagle CReek Publishing). and look for A Little Door, A Little Light. This is a compilation of true and uplifting personal stories, written following the death of my son. (contributors are from Canada and the U.S.A).

The book is amazing. I guess what is really amazing is that hundreds of people trusted me with their very personal stories. So it is little wonder I often say the book cover should really say by written God, with help from Ellie and Shawn.

I will include some testimonials about the book:

Testimonials for A LITTLE DOOR, A LITTLE LIGHT
A book filled with TRUE short stories of Heavenly Intervention.

"Rarely, if ever, does a person get to read a
book that is abundant with insight and life altering potential.
A Little Door, A Little Light offers an ordinary person an extraordinary opportunity to learn about authentic after-death experiences. Our community, including all cultural age groups, should read this delightful book before a loved one passes. It can help prepare the family, or a friend, when someone leaves us behind. The book's valuable short stories plainly emphasize death as only a temporary separation, and a new beginning of youthful eternity ..."
-- Duane Shaw,
Husband, Parent, Grandparent, Author, USA Retired
Cotati, CA


"This book is simply incredible. I am a Registered Nurse and have worked almost my entire career in the Emergency Department. Obviously, I have seen many many deaths, all which affect me although I must maintain my professionalism. The book (A Little Door, A Little Light) touches the soul of those of us left on this side of the veil, the light, whatever it is. It helps us to understand in a positive loving and gentle way that God never leaves us or lets us down. The book not only comforts, it inspires and gives hope. Ellie Braun-Haley has written a book filled with love and wisdom."
- Peggy McConnell-Dobbins, R.N.,
Director of Nursing Emergency Services, Largo, Florida


"A Little Door, A Little Light is a very special book and I loved it. It gave me goose bumps for a variety of reasons, though on the day I read it here in Oklahoma, it was 90 F.... It is a must-read. It will especially be of interest to those people who have recently lost a loved one, but I think it is a book for any age group, since death is a part of life."
- Nila Hayes, Elgin, Oklahoma, U.S.A.

"I really loved this book, not only for its beautiful presentation, but all the angel stories confirmed for me that the experiences I have been having since I lost my son are indeed real. You really do worry that you are either alone or crazy! There is so much evidence here, that it's a big relief to have this confirmation."
- Maggie Pospisil, Receptionist, Sydney, Australia

"Thank you for A Little Door, A Little Light. It is a book that will bring comfort to all grieving a loved one. How I wish it had been written twenty years ago when we lost our dear Son. I have recommended it to our local bookstores. Will be watchinfor any future books."
- Lois Taylor, Port Williams, NS, Canada

The book, A Little Door, A Little Light is available at Eagle Creek Publishing (go to evrcanada.com) and IT can be found at Amazon.com

Today, as a Canadian author, I do some traveling, sharing HOPE through my talks both on my books and on the POWER of prayer. My latest book, Seeds Of Hope should be available by September of this year. The talk on the Power of prayer will be ready for presentation by late March. Contact me if there is any way I can be of service.
"We support one another"
Let your light shine
Ellie Braun-Haley
403 342 5389
shaley@telusplanet.net

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

Spring is Here

By Cynthia Groopman

Alas after a long winter, spring is here,

Let us applaud and merrily cheer.

the birds have finally arrived,

Swet little flowers are about to grow flourish and thrive.

Grass begins to sprout,

Children with glee run around and mirthly shout.

Sunshine is abundantly radiant,

fresh air is pleasing and fragrant.

Windows can be opened wide,

We can sit and walk about outside.

For God ahs chosen to renew the earth,

As we all bask in spring's revival and glorious rebirth.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

Creation Is Alive

By:Cynthia groopman

Creation is alive,

Stretching after a long winter's nap.

Buds peeping from their little resting place,

Smiles on the bright sun's smiling face.

Sweetly singing birds,

Chant delightful melodic tuneful words.

Happiness is in every surprise,

As creation unfolds a marvelous tapestry of joy before our eyes.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

 ~**~**~

Dog, Man's Best Friend

My best friend merrily wags it tail,

His unconditional love puurs out without fail.

He runs to me with pride,

Oh, dog of mine, you are always by my side. 

Through thick and thin, you are always there,

With loyalty you always care.

To me, you are precious and dear,

In my life, you have given me lots of smiles and cheer. 

Oh, precious pet, I know that you are growing older and frail,

Your gait is slower and you can hardly wag your tail.

You may not see or hear that well,

To me, you are adored and swell. 

There may be a day when the angels may arrive to take you home,

I shall mourn and will be alone.

God has given you to me as a gift more valuable than silver or gold,

As you take your last breath, into my arms you shall be enfolded. 

Cynthia Groopman

2007

Dedicated to families who have lost their pups in New York from poisoned food

C.O.O.L.J.C. Ministries

Jeff Cheeks

Iroquois Native

Passion For Christ

Readers Feedback

Carol,
   How very kind of you to get my new article out to your readers so quickly
my friend.  Thanks so much.  I want you to know that you are in my prayers
and I am hoping that all is going well with you.  God bless you always. 
Wishing you every joy, Joe

 An Act of Kindness by Clara Wersterfer; What a wonderful and poignant story. This is what people used to do for one another before the government took over with welfare to buy votes.

I've witnessed it during my lifetime. People have forgotten how to help their neighbors like this and that the only time success came before work was in the dictionary.
Thanks
Mark Crider

Storytime Tapestry Angels

Angels on earth, they exist they are out there.  Angels come in all ages, shapes and sizes, civil status, and religion.  Their nature is love and their purpose is giving to the less fortunate of this world.  Storytime Tapestry angels are no exception.  These angels are loyal members who have contributed to the upkeep of Storytime Tapestry newsletter so that Storytime Tapestry can continue come to your email box 350 days of the year.

Here is our Storytime Tapestry Angels: Also, I would like to thank those of you who chose to be a silent angel and gave an anonymous donation to keep Storytime Tapestry up and running.

Clara Westerfer, Mark Crider, Rosanne Catalano, Paula Booher, Kay Seefeldt, Mariane Holbrook, Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker, Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley, Surinder Jandu, Bob Shaw, Carol Meeks