Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

April 27, 2007

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

A Forgotten Memory Surfaces

Norma Liles

As I was reading a chicken soup book full of short stories which happened to be focusing on dreams and goals, it took me back to my childhood.

For some reason, I was taken by any printed forms which were to be filled in by someone.  My father worked for the railroad so for some reason that I never knew, he would bring those forms home. I loved those forms and even before I was old enough to go to school, I would fill them out with the scribbles of a child. 

As I grew a little older, I would page through catalogs and copy the order codes of things I liked into those forms.  My siblings didn't seem to care much for them so I was in heaven knowing that they would be at my disposal, only.

As I entered into high school, I knew from day one that working in an office would be the highlight of my life.  I took all the related subjects to gain my diploma with great satisfaction.

After graduation, I wanted to work the summer and then start business college in the fall.  My dad opposed this idea and insisted that I start right after high school graduation.

I loved business college and all of the courses that were offered as they were partly fulfilling a dream to possibly be hired into the business world.

After graduation, I was hired as a comptometer operator in the office of a department store's office.  I am sure that very few of you know what that job required.  It is the forerunner of the calculator with high keys which required a lot of finger pressure just as the old manual typewriter.  My job was developed from the government's decree that we follow the latest policy of a ceiling price.  Each invoice that passed through my hands had to show by the end of the day the % of markup on the items listed.  At the end of the day, the store's manager would have to approve the markup with his signature.

After having spent three years at this particular job, it was time to move on so I found employment with a telephone company as a clerk; balancing bank statements for the thirty-six banks who took care of their business in various areas.  In time to come, I was promoted to being the assistant secretary to the Secretary of the phone company.  Did I mention that in between these jobs that I had married.....oops!

In 1953, I became a Mother; one of my lifetime goals but with an error in timing and the burdens of a family, my husband became ill so when my daughter was two years old, I was out pounding the pavement looking for work.  As I had not been gainfully employed during those years, my speed and accuracy had diminished; so I found it necessary to take less pay than I had dreams.

After I had been with this company for three years; learning to operate the NCR 3100, a posting machine which allowed me to do payroll, accounts payable and posting amounts to various accounts, I was given the advantage of going to learn to keypunch which today is referred to as data entry.

Sometimes, we cannot see the forest for the trees as I did not like what I was supposed to be doing but God was looking out for me.  During our daily break for lunch, I tried unsuccessfully to call my boss at work to tell him that I did not wish to learn this new machine.  For some reason or other, either the telephone line would be busy or no one would answer so I assumed everyone was out to lunch.  Not being sure in what direction I should go, I decided to give it another chance.

After two more years at this last position, I was offered a data entry position at a well known factory office.  I loved that job dearly but six months after my hire, the company had decided to move to another state so here I was, needing to find another job.

I was in luck.  One of the gals that I worked with had been employed by a company who had moved to another city but had decided to come back to our area.  I went for an interview with them and was hired on the spot. From that day on until I retired, I stayed with that company as a data entry clerk as well as a backup for the present supervisor.

In time, the supervisor retired and a request was offered to me; would I take the job as full time supervisor which I did.  At the time that I retired from that company, I had been with them for twenty-seven years.  Six of the last twenty seven, I had been the supervisor over seven ladies.

I retired from the work force in 1989 knowing full well that I had reached the goal that I had set for myself.  Today, I am enjoying retirement as it is supposed to be; happy in my own skin.

God knew me better than I knew myself and He always accomplishes what He desires our lives to be, only if we allow Him.  Thank you, God, for being my inspiration; a goal fulfilled.

NormaLee Liles ©

hoopla214@yahoo.com

Norma is an Ohio native, senior citizen; happy in her own skin, loves the Lord God Almighty, her family, her friends and her computer; pretty much in that order! Her hobbies include reading, writing poetry, stories, a few songs; loves to sing; and prefers southern gospel music. She is retired from the busines world where she worked as a data entry operator/supv; is number nine of ten children; is looking fwd to her next birthday which will welcome #78. (Oct)

Her writings have been featured on: Starfish, Driftwood, Sandollar, Morning Spirit Lift, Prayer of God, Jan Karon, American Poetry Writer's League, Lucy's Inspiration, Faithful Hope reading room, Poetry of Today, Hope in Him, Bonnie's Place, America will remember, News Moose, Penworm Prayer Warriors, Angels on Earth, Canadian Memorial page, Eternal Ink, Heartcatcher, Penwormprayerwarriors and senior writer for Storytime_Tapestry.

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

I Accompanied You
Cynthia Groopman

As we strolled the lanes of life together, I accompanied you,
as we smiled and were dazzled by the beautiful cloudless sky of blue.
Smiling and laughing as we talked,
your little hand you held in mine,
and we had a wonderful time.
through all the years,
our journeys were filled with happiness and cheers.
When the chariot of angels arrived to take you to your eternal home,
I did not want to be alone.
Who would accompany me,
I cried out sorrowfully.
So, the last journey I made with you,
was bathed with tears through and through.
I accompanied you to the grave and bid you a sad farewell,
And in a crying voice, I love you, to you I did tell.
So we had our last journey together, mother dear,
but I know that in a hundred years,
we will meet again in a blaze of glory,
and then we will talk and sing and tell beautiful stories.

Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

 If It Weren't For You
Cythia Groopman

The sunshine will not have its golden glitter,
and nothing will taste sweet but rather rancid and bitter.
If it weren't for you, none of us would be born,
and there won't be tall green leafy trees or fields of yellow corn.
If it weren't for you, animals will not run about,
neither would the rain pour or the wind would roar or shout.
The floral fragrant bouquets will not flourish and bloom,
nor would the birds wake us with their good morning greeting tune.
For if it weren't for you, none would flourish and thrive,
and unfortunately no human being would be alive.
For God, you are the King of the Universe, so mighty and strong,
I am grateful to you and rejoice in a melodic chantiful song.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman

 ~**~**~

 The Angel Of Hope
Cynthia Groopman

When I am lonely and the day has come to an end,
upon the angel of hope, for solace I can depend.
When the nights are long and spirits are weary,
the angel of hope smiles at me and everything is cheery.
When the storm clouds invade my sky of life,
the angel of hope reassures and motivates me
to cope with stress and strife.
When loved ones are no longer there for me,
the angel of hope fills my heart with sweet treasured memories.
When a loving touch and a radiant smile I dearly miss,
the angel of hope embraces me with spiritual richness
and with a tender gentle kiss.
When my heart dances to a joyful tune,
I'm inspired by the angel of hope who flourishes and elegantly blooms.
For the angel of hope can be found in a mind optimistic and strong,
And reveals herself in God's loving songs.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net
Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman

Readers Feedback

 IT’S ALL IN A NAME BY JEANNIE NELSON:  Here in my country you could be identified in different ways depending your location; in the very lowly area you would be called by your first child’s name e.g. Mama George or Baba George, if you are still single but matured you would be addressed as uncle, aunty, brother or sister.  In a place where there are lots of educated but less exposed to the western culture you would be only called by your last name e.g. Mr. Ojeigbe, Mrs. Ojeigbe.  Then if you are living or working in a place where there are lots of people who educated and exposed to the western culture you would be called by your first name e.g. George or Miss Helen or just Helen.  Gone are the days when a younger one must not address elders by first name.  These days you get a boy of 18 to 20 years addressing a man of over 30 years by his first name and no discrimination.  We respect age and it used to be a taboo when younger one gesture an elder for a handshake.  GEORGEWATERS OJEIGBE: gojiegbe@oregun.jhplc.com

RE: death

"Death, where is thy sting? Grave, where is thy victory?" GOD

Hi. Personally, I understand the difficulty of temporary loss very well.
BUT I will be happy to give up my carbon and water and DNA....

ALL: please just look up and read John Donne's powerful: "Death Be Not Proud"!

Vance Agee
And then read it again.
vgagee@adelphia.net

 Thanks Gorden for your comments.  I do not apologize for my personal opinion what I apologized for was letting a comment of another member into my newsletter and my integrity as a publisher was questioned.  Since then I decided I would open up the debate to everyone.

Dear Carol

        Now, this is what I honestly believe is at the very core of what the problem really is.  That is the tendency toward an elevated reaction to tragedy.  That may not sound so sane but I encourage you to stop and think for a moment.  Seems as though the whole world (or at least significant portions thereof) are caught up in the anger of the moment.  So we react in frustration and anger by "solving the problem" Let's ban ownership of personal firearms.  Please, let's react with a little more sanity. Remember that guns don't kill people, it's people with guns that kill people.  Is there any need for you, Carol, to apologize?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!  Those that feel that you must, have to remember that they are trampling on your freedoms if you do.  That is your freedom of free expression.  Granted, we must temper that freedom with wisdom but not deny a person's right to freely express what they believe to be true.

My opinion is:  God bless you for INFORMING US about the issue.  Obviously, your efforts were misunderstood or you wouldn't have to spend this much time unnecessarily apologizing as though you, now, have done something wrong.

All I can add is:  Come on folks, give Carol a break. SHE DID NOTHING WRONG BY EXPRESSING HER OPINION on the issue.  For those that disagree consider this, would you want some trying to control what you say, how you say it or where you choose to express it?  STOP RIGHT NOW and take the time to seriously think about it. Consider it rationally. Consider it carefully.  Can't you see where that could lead?

Ever heard of CENSORSHIP?

Respectfully submitted

Gorden K. "Pop" Warner

callpopwarner@yahoo.com  

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