Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

May 2, 2007

Today’s Announcements

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Today’s Stories

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 THERE'S MORE TO LIFE

Ellie Braun Haley
 
When I was challenged to teach a blind singer to dance I had no idea I was to be the learner.

I was a dance teacher for a local college and had been learning a series of new dances to introduce into the communities in the area. My partner and I decided it would be fun to practice to a live band at a lounge. We didn't know we'd been the topic of interest where the band was concerned until they approached us during one of their breaks. Admiring our footwork, they asked if we could spend time with the three female singers in the group and teach them some of our steps. It was felt the steps would enhance their singing routines. Thinking it would be a fun morning and give us more practice we agreed to meet at their motel the following day.

My partner was interested in working with two of the singers and suggested that I work with the third singer, Gail. The challenge for me would be to accurately describe each move for Gail. She had the greater challenge, to process, interpret and simulate. Being blind, Gail had never seen us dance but she exuded confidence. She also trusted her fellow singers that the steps would be fun and a great addition to their act.

I went from feeling sympathy for Gail to admiring her. She was able to accomplish all that her sighted colleagues had in the same amount of time. She was an amazing woman and the session with Gail taught me more than I realized.

A few weeks later, while I was teaching a group of adults a country western Line Dance I noticed that most of them spent a lot of time looking at my feet, or the feet of someone in front of them. I wanted them to feel confident on the dance floor but I could see that they were relying too heavily on others. A memory of Gail came to mind and as I thought of her I realized she had learned so quickly because she did not use her eyes. The message went from her brain straight to her muscles. 

I told the group about Gail and suggested we try something new; to pretend we couldn’t see. We went over the steps a few times and I matched each combination of moves with a trigger word or phrase. Then we focused on a spot on the wall, never looking down and went through the dance again using only the trigger words to remind our brains of what we wished our feet to do. Invariably and with unbelievable consistency the students learned the dance quicker than usual.

I never saw Gail again yet her dance lessons taught me something I would use again and again over the years. The lesson eventually helped hundreds of students to learn better and to thereby feel more confidence.

Without Gail I doubt that I would have discovered a new method for teaching dance. Her attitude showed me that we should not be afraid of the things we can not see and do not know. Gail didn’t see herself as courageous, learning to dance in spite of blindness, no instead she accepted new challenges as an opportunity to taste more life. Gail laughed at her mistakes. She lived in the moment.

Ellie Braun-Haley
shaley@telusplanet.net

Ellie says she "has learned that the sidewalks of life may be filled with breaks and cracks but the scenery enroute is worth the walk." Ellie has had numerous short stories published in Chicken Soup for the soul, Heartwarmers of Spirit, Emerging Courageou, Concious Women and many other publications. Ellie is a prairie girl born and raised in Alberta,

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Poetry Corner

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Welcoming To The Queen Of May
Cynthia Groopman

Oh, merry month of May, you are as regal as an eloquent queen,
so royal, majestic and serene.
Beautifully, you sit on a floral fragrant throne,
as birds serenade you in a rejoicing tone.
On your head sparkling of sunshine, is placed a jeweled crown,
as your smiling face always shines and never frowns.
With a lovely red rose in your hair,
oh, sweet May, you dance with such exquisite charm and flare.
Your glowing cheeks are sparkling with dew, each and every morning,
as you add majesty and splendor to each spring day gloriously dawning.
For, May, you are like the sentimental and beautiful words of a song,
that is dazzling us with optimism, so powerful, loving and strong.
Thus, all I can say to you, sweet May,
is that you are my beloved Queen and I love you in a tender way.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

                                        Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman

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A Greeting To The Month Of May
Cynthia Groopman

Oh, Merry month of May, I smile, as you extend your warm gentle hand,
as your radiance adorns each and every springtime land.
Mother is basking joyfully in the golden sunshine's glow,
as your voice echoes in the gentle breeze's playful hello.
Brightly feathered merrily chirping birds flap their wings in dance,
as your floral bouquets enchant us with exquisite elegance.
The tall leafy trees bow their heads in silent prayer,
as green lush carpets of sprouting grass flourish with flare.
May is a time to honor Mom and salute our soldiers in a special way,
showing we love them in precious words and actions we do and say.
Oh, sweet month of May, your breathtaking majestic glory
enlivens our hearts that dance to a merry tune,
and as time marches on, May whispers a loving farewell,
as she sweetly embraces the splendid month of June.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

  Copyright ©2004 Cynthia Groopman

 ~**~**~

 May' Sunshine of Shining

Cynthia Groopman

May possesses glowing sunshine of shining gold,

Into her flowery loving arms tenderly all she will enfold.

With a smile on her grassie green face,

She kindles deep warmth and joy in every place.

With skies so clear and blue,

May has merrily chirping birds imparting happiness for me and for you.

For May, on your golden throne, you regally reign,

To me, the sweetest most charming month you shall always remain.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

Readers Feedback

 Carol,
    What a pleasure to be enjoyed with Ron and Cynthia in Storytime today.  I always know
that when you publish my work here that I will be in good company.  Cynthia's poems are
always wonderful and Ron's story was so heart touching.  I have known several people
on dialysis and all of them are heros.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

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