Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

May 29, 2007

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Today’s Stories

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THE SINKHOLE

By Janet Perez Eckles

I gasped when I read the headline, "Blind Man Falls into Sinkhole" in the New York Daily News. When I learned he suffered no injuries except minor scratches, I smiled. I continued reading about his mishap with a tinge of amusement and a few chuckles.

Now before you think I am insensitive, let me explain. I too lost my sight. And in the last twenty years as a sightless person, I have had my share of accidents. I have tripped on countless curbs, missed steps and fallen, and tumbled with a splash into a fountain in a busy shopping center. I have even entered the wrong car.

As I read (with the aid of a voice synthesizer) about this poor man’s fall, I naturally identified with him. His story reminded me of my own sinkhole—the devastation I initially faced when I lost my sight.

My sinkhole was deep, …and darkness and loneliness surrounded me. While the rest of the world continued walking on with their lives, I reached up for someone to help. No one could—not my religion, family, friends or even self-help books, philosophies or preachers. My blindness was as real as my anguish.

And the more I tried to claw my way out of that sinkhole, the more I fell back into feelings of hopelessness, knowing I had no control of my blindness. Fatigued from my futile attempts, I sighed with defeat. I let myself sink into the murky swamp of self-pity, and it quickly seeped through to my soul. Lying at the bottom, I shivered in the coldness of my misfortune.

After a while, I sat up— and with my last attempt—cried again for help. But this time, I called out to a specific someone. I did not utter a fancy prayer. I simply cried, "Jesus!, Reach down to me."

Then I waited.

I stopped my sobs that echoed through the hallow sinkhole of misery. I listened in silence. The Lord’s words, like sunrays, warmed my heart…

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).

I trusted this promise and held up my hand. Jesus gently pulled me out. He brushed off my bitterness, removed my spots of fear, and washed my stains of sin.

He heard my cry, my desperation, …my simple prayer. Even when I did not know exactly what I needed, He filled my life with the light of His Word. He lifted me from the sinkhole and set my feet upon stable ground. He clothed me with the garment of joy. He even sprayed me with a fragrance of confidence. I now have a Guide Who walks with me, and I’m reassured He’ll never leave me. My soul sings this reassurance, "I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2

*******

Janet Perez Eckles is an inspirational speaker, writer contributor to seven books, and author of Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life.

Although she lacks physical sight, she has the gift of insight to encourage uplift and inspire.

Janet Perez Eckles

E-mail: Jeckles@cfl.rr.com

www.janeckles.com
Faith and love with a Latin flair.

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Our Fingers Touched

By Jan Verhoeff

Dedicated to my daughter, Brenna Verhoeff. Sometimes love has the strangest chords, connected by the heart. I love you Brenna!

Clear blue skies lifted high over the pines of the Colorado Mountains on that day. Columbines fluttered in the gentle breeze, and the sweet aroma of pine mingled with the pungent fragrance of damp soil from yesterday’s rain. From a blanket on the ground, we watched a porcupine stretch his quills and wonder off into the woods, before we took our lunch from the basket. Country fried chicken, potato salad, cucumbers, and rich buttery toffee cake with almond slivers on the frosting tempted our tummies.

Laughter and happy moments filled the mountains with pleasure. Children running, playing in the pines, kept the scene active. Their joy inspired warmth.

The mountain views changed before my eyes, the pines drifted away and the columbines became high meadow flowers, blooming close to the ground. A chill swept over me. The picnic basket faded from view, and my children scattered. I was alone. In the middle of an open meadow, a single doe stood looking about for shelter. All around hunters loaded weapons.

“I’m pregnant, how do I protect my fawn?” She pleaded. Deep brown eyes stared at me. I felt her deep in my soul, her longing to live, her desire to be safe. I struggled with my own sense of order, knowing the doe was meant for food. The hunters would use her well.

But the doe pleaded. Her eyes implored me to save her.

Hunters surrounded us, shots rang out. Before my eyes the hunters all became one man. The dewy brown eyes of the doe, became my daughter’s eyes.  

She stood in the meadow alone, reaching out for me to rescue her from the man who stole her away. His domination became evil and deadly…

Our hands reached out and slowly our fingers touched.  

“God have mercy on my little girl.” I prayed as I awakened from the nightmare.

Jan Verhoeff

janverhoeff@yahoo.com

Jan Verhoeff writes stories for children, essays, business documents, and websites. The thread that ties it all together is her love of communication. Visit her website at http://janverhoeff.com and see her online publication in short story version of “Tedious - the Lingering Life”.

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Poetry Corner

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July in May

By Cynthia Groopman

Although the calendar says May,

We are experiencing July weather today

.

The humidity is high, haze, and pollution hide the sunshine and

the blue sky.

There is a threat of thunder storms in the afternoon,

we hope they will not arrive too soon.

People are swimming in their pools,

Air conditioners are humming, keeping people nice and cool.

Many are wearing light clothes,

Aromas of barbecuing tantalize my nose.

The winter was cold and long,

I hope we will enjoy summer's lovely energetic song.

 Cynthia Groopma

cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

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Who Is A True Friend
Cynthia Groopman

When our life's sky is downcast,
friends help forgetting the sullen past.
They carry smiles so high,
adding sunshine to our life's sky.
They share our triumphs and comfort us in our fears,
encourage us in doleful times and even dry our tears.
When we are in the mood to chatter,
they serve the golden food of friendship on a silver platter.
They care and are always ready to give us hope,
and cheer us up when we are lonely and inclined to mope.
A friend is a golden link on the diamond chain,
through thick and thin, true friends we shall remain.


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

 ~**~**~

Who Is A Winner
Cynthia Groopman

Who is a winner, I often ask,
in the victorious sunshine of achievement, will he continually bask?
The game of life has a multitude of rigid rules,
many times we are winners and other times we unfortunately lose.
A winner may not score so high,
But his faith is renewed
as he searches for the rainbow residing in the beautiful sky.
With courage and patience, a winner will strive,
as he achieves his desired goal,
he is like a blooming flower, glowing as he flourishes and thrives.
Helping others surmount obstacles,
as they struggle in their sorrows and providing for his needs,
characterizes a true winner who succeeds.
For a true winner is one who truly cares,
and as he soothes an aching heart he mends it with tender loving care.


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

Readers Feedback

Carol,
    Thank Pam for her kind words about my writing.  I just feel blessed to be able to share these words God gives me with my Storytime family.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

Sharon,

As a fellow poet, I must say how deeply touched I was while reading this poem.  We should all remember our troops, even if they have not as yet, fallen.  This poem reminds me of Lee Greenwood's popular American CD, "God Bless the U.S.A.", but we should all be thankful, no matter where we come from.  A simply eloquent piece of work!

Your friend,

David Fox

davidirafox@yahoo.com

Hello carol and Storytime readers    I am really delighted to share my comments about the Memorial Day issue of Storytime. It represented so many insightful, interesting, informative and spiritual historical material. I shared it with my friends. I shall use this material for my citizenship classes and as reading material for my students. Pamela is an excellent writer. I enjoyed the selection of poems, and Nella sweet's song really was a new one for me. we learn everyday. I applaud everyone at Storytime who encourage and inspire me, broaden my horizons and make me a more astute and interested and interesting person. Thanks for carol for putting everything together. She does a fine job. God bless everyone. Cynthia

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