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Storytime Tapestry Newsletter
The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural
awareness throughout the world.
Hearts and Humor – A Michael Smith Column
May 25, 2007
Hi, Gang - more than 1200 of you.
What a thrill it is to me to know that so many
people have decided to sign up to read my stories.
I must be doing something right. I must be touching
your hearts.
One day I will write you a story - a story about a night
of prayer I experienced.
Before I move on to my story, I want to share a
few wonderful links I've recieved this week. I know
you will enjoy them.
You may have seen this one before, but the
presentation in this version is beautiful.
http://www.stservicemovie.com/
From the Dowds. They send wonderful things.
This one is a treasure:
http://www.andiesisle.com/hewillbe.html
If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to
your friends. I only ask that you leave the link
at the bottom for them to join us.
NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO STOP RECEIVING MY STORIES, PLEASE
USE THE UNSUBSCRIBE LINK BELOW. PLEASE DO NOT MARK ME AS SPAM.
MY STORIES ARE ONLY SENT TO THOSE WHO SUBSCRIBE TO MY EZINE.
I'd Love your comments.
Send them to: msmith4@nj.rr.com
A good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check
this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all
in her latest book.
Carol Roach
M.Ed, B.A.
Publisher: Storytime Tapestry
Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485
Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com
If anyone is interested in greeting cards, Ginny
belongs to a group of artists. They've teamed together
to market their products. Check them out at:
http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com
Ginny's cards and other crafts are at:
http://www.ginginsgoodies.etsy.com
Be sure to check out my collection of inspirational
sites at the end. There's something for everyone.
I just got this one from my Ginny. It's a bit of good
advice.
VERY GOOD POINT...........................
Be careful how you list names on your cell phone!
This lady has changed her habit of how she lists her
names on her mobile phone after her purse was stolen.
Her purse, which contained her mobile, Credit card,
purse...etc.... was stolen~ 20 minutes later when
she called Her 'Hubby' from a pay phone telling him
what had happened, her husband said "I've Just
received your text asking about our Pin number
and I replied a little while ago."
When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff
told them all the money was already withdrawn. The
pickpocket had actually used the stolen cell phone
to text "hubby" in the contact list and got the pin
number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all
the money from the bank account.
The lesson: Do not disclose the relationship between
you and the people in your contact list. Avoid
using names like Home, Honey, Hubby,
sweetheart, Dad, Mum etc.......
And very importantly, when sensitive info is being
asked thru texts, CONFIRM by calling back. Also,
when you're being texted by friends or family to
meet them somewhere, be sure to call back to confirm
that the message came from them. If you don't
reach them, be very careful about going places to
meet "family and friends" who text you.
Now for today's story.
Respect
I was at the grocery store, waiting in line to use the
self-scan, checkout machines. All four machines were in use.
I was third in line. A man walked passed our line and stood
behind a person using one of the machines, waiting for them
to finish. He looked back at us, "Oh! Is that the line for
all the machines? I thought there was a line for each machine."
he said loudly. He made no move to go to the back of our line.
He waited for the person to finish, took over the machine,
and caused everyone in our line to wait a little longer.
I got to my machine at the same time he started using
his. "Hey!" I heard him yell. "Hey! I need help. How does this
thing work?" The clerk was busy with another customer. "Hey!
I said I need help over here!" This time his tone was
belligerent and could be heard by anyone within twenty-five feet.
"I'll be right there." The clerk said, obviously
exasperated.
I felt sorry for her.
"I said I need help!" he yelled again.
The people who manage the self-scan checkouts are quite
busy. The machines are finicky and won't scan a code. Customers
get confused, especially with produce, where they have to
punch in a code and weigh an item. The clerks are constantly
running about, checking identification, assisting customers,
and getting signatures for credit purchases. This day was no
different.
I recognized the clerk working that day. She is usually
there when I stop on my way home from work. I always make a
point to say, "Hi!" when I arrive and "Thank you, Amy!"
when I leave. I know her name from her name tag.
The man was making her day miserable. I wanted to walk
over to him and ask, "Are you having a bad day or are you
always this ignorant."
As I left the store, I could still hear him yelling.
The way he spoke and acted upset me. He was a bully. They're
everywhere. They push me aside on sidewalks, as they rush
to wherever they need to be; they cut in front of me on the
highway, putting my family in danger, just to get one
car-length ahead; and I see them being rude to cashiers in
stores.
He reminded me of the bullies I dealt with when I was
a kid.
As a child, I was a bit overweight, very shy, and had
a sensitive heart. I also had a very large head and was
often teased with names like: "Big Head", "Block Head", and
even "Specimen Head". I was an obvious target to them.
The bullies threatened me, "I'm going to get you, Big
Head! After school, Pal! You're dead meat!" They had no
reason to attack me. I was just weaker and gave them a
sense of power.
When this happened, I tried to leave school before
them. If possible, I'd leave through an alternate door
and run home as fast as I could. If I couldn't leave
before them, I'd stay late, offering to help my teacher,
until I knew the bullies were gone.
At home, in the privacy of my room, I'd try to
concentrate on my homework, while I formed a plan to
avoid the bullies. It had to stay as far away from
them as possible - for at least a week. After a week,
they'd forget why they wanted to beat me up. If I could
avoid them, they would turn their attention to some
other poor kid. I'd be safe.
Across the street from my school was a large crabapple
tree. It was my hiding spot. Before school began,
during lunch, and even during recess, I would hide behind it.
When the bell rang, I would dash to the school door, running
serpentine through the crowd to reach safety.
When my week of exile was over, I'd meekly come out
of hiding and attempt to blend into the crowd. If the bully
noticed me, he would have forgotten why he wanted to
beat me up - his anger forgotten.
What do people gain by bullying? They get a car length
ahead or through a line faster, but they lose the respect
of those who witness or experience their actions. Our
actions dictate how people perceive us. I don't want anyone
to think of me the way they thought of that man. I want
to leave them with a smile. I want to leave with their respect.
Michael T. Smith
If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your
friends.
My only request is that you include the link for your friends to
join our family.
To join our family, go to:
http://subs.
zinester.com/ 86758/
REMOVE THE SPACES TO GET TO THE SITE. SPAM BLOCKERS ARE
HURTING EZINES. DON'T LET THEM PREVENT YOU FROM READING
GREAT STORIES.
As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites.
I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites.
Run by my friend Carol, Storytime Tapestry at:
http://archives.zinester.com/98907/
By my good friend Keith in Australia:
http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/
My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/
Phil's awesome and brutally honest
Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/
Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com
www.Heartwarmers.com
and www.petwarmers.com
are two
wonderful story sites.
http://hodu.com/
http://www.mydailyinsights.com/
www.ripplemaker.com
http://www.sermonillustrator.org
http://www.SkyWriting.Net
Here's a newly discovered one I like:
http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/
That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with
more, I'll add them.
Enjoy!!!
I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com.
I'll include some in every post.
Ginny and I love Linda. She wrote about my
story "The Tattered Bookmark."
Good Morning Mikey!!
I finally reread this...still brings tears and smiles!
Congratulations on the win! But then, I always knew
you were a winner!!
Hugs, Linda
************
From one of my biggest fans regarding the story, "Two Mothers."
Hi Michael -
I am a fair bit behind in my reading and so just
finished this one - this moment - with tears streaming
down my cheeks. Such a wonderful testament to both women.
I too lost my mother - 12 years ago now - but think of
her, and her love - daily.
As always - Thank You for a lovely story.
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