Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

June 17, 2007

Fathers Day Issue

Today’s Announcements

Happy Fathers Day to all the great dads out there.

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 MY DAD

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

I can remember the first problem I ever encountered as a boy. I had a loose tooth that just wouldn't come out. I had heard that the tooth fairy paid some serious cash for these things, but no matter what I did I couldn't get mine out of my mouth and under my pillow. I pulled on it. I wiggled it. I jiggled it. I even gave it a firm talking to. Still, it seemed determined to stay in my mouth forever. It was then, however, that my Dad came into the bathroom. "What is the problem?", he asked. I told him about my difficulties with the molar that wouldn't move. He just smiled and said, "Let me take a look at it." I closed my eyes and opened my mouth wide. When I opened my eyes again there was my Dad smiling down on me with my tooth between his thumb and forefinger. It seemed like magic or a miracle that my Dad could have done that so easily. I thanked him with all my heart and went to bed amazed at how great my Dad was.

I still cherish that childhood memory. As I grew into adulthood I learned that I also have a Heavenly Father who is more than willing to help me with all of life's problems and difficulties. Even when things seem overwhelming at times He still comes in and says, "Here, let me take a look at it." Then He magically and miraculously changes my heart, my soul, and the world. After that the problems and difficulties either disappear or become transformed into opportunities to help others, to grow in love and joy, and to become more at one with Him.

I am truly blessed to have such a great Dad here on Earth and such a wonderful Father in Heaven. Both have loved me so much and both have helped me to see that the real magic and miracles in life come from loving and helping each other. When we do our days are blessed andfull of joy no matter what problems or difficulties we may face. When we do our loose teeth are always pulled and our empty hearts are always filled.

Joe Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com

~**~**~

 A Father Is NOT The Same As A DAD

Marilyn Nicholson

A father to me is one I never had growing up. I knew what a father should be, because I saw some of my friends Dads. They weren't like my father. They didn't drink and hurt their kids. They loved them, took care of them and protected them from bad things.
My father was the opposite - he drank, was mean, he hit, he yelled and worse. He told me often that he hated me. He was a mean drunk.

So, a father to me, means totally different things, depending on whether we're talking about mine or other peoples Dads.

He started to be a father when I was in my twenties and he'd stopped drinking, but having never been one, he had a hard time. We had some good times, some awful times and those just OK times that you tend to remember. In the years following it got better. We established a relationship that sometimes worked and other times, didn't. But still, he was a father.

The "only" time my father was truly a real Dad, was not long before he passed away. He no  longer drank and was very sick. He truly changed then, inside and out.

I was all grown up and married, he lived with us and that was the time I remember the most, as he was a father who finally loved me and was sad that he'd be leaving me and truly never hated me. That's the father I choose to remember as he wasn't just a father; he was a Dad. That's the Dad I miss every single day.

Marilyn Nicholson

nicholson.m@earthlink.net

~**~**~

Father's Day

 Sharon Bryant

I face my second Father's Day without my dad.  What I would give to be able to pick up the phone one more time and hear that familiar voice again. 

If he was here, his gift would have already been sent to him.  Sigh........oh the memories.

I remember the gag gift I got him one year.  I had some envelopes made up and in the sender corner it said, "Aids Test Results."

I sent him a card in that envelope that year.  He called the minute he got it and we both laughed our heads off when he said,

"My goodness, I went to get the mail when I saw the mailman at the box and he was wearing gloves to put my mail in my box!"

"I bet he's got something to talk about at his dinner table tonight!"

I remember the one Father's Day, I got a large box and bought all kinds of things that he used daily.  Pens, little notebooks, his favorite gum, shaving lotion, toothpaste, gloves, etc.  He called me when he got that box and told me I just saved him many trips to different stores.

I talked to my aunt who lives a thousand miles from me today.  "Did you get my letter and envelope yet?" she asked.  I told her no.  "It should be there today.  I got you something you don't have in memory of your father."

It is a photo I've never seen is all she told me.  I can't wait to get it.

I've written about my dad several times, and I guess I will never tire of writing about him.  He was perfect.  He was the best dad I could ever have asked for.  He taught me not only things like riding a bike, ice skating, how to steer a sled right, how to drive, but he taught me to be who I am today.

"No matter how wrong things seem to be, never change," he used to say.  "Be good to all men and animals." 
"Believe in yourself always.  When life seems to get you down, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep those feet moving."

I've always lived by those words.

I can't say this enough to anyone who is distant from your father.  Once they are gone, it is too late to make that phone call.  Too late to send that card or letter.  Too late for so many things.

I thank God I never let that happen.  I never had reason to.

God Bless all the father's out there this Father's Day.

And dad, if you can see me and what I write, you know my heart is with you.

I'll love you until I can no longer love anymore.

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

A Poetic Tribute To My Dad
Cynthia Groopman

Within me a special quiet joy, will forever reside,
Because your spiritual presence is eternally by my side.
Your warm smile is seen in the radiant sunshine glow,
And I hear your melodic voice resounding in the wind's whispering blow.
Thoughts of you forever linger in my mind each and everyday,
Because you touched me inspirationally in a very deep and profound way.
For our unrequited love transcends death
and time with a flame that is eternally bright,
You visit me, speaking to me softly in my dreams during the night,
I can see your face radiantly glowing
with the sunshine of love in my mind's eye,
And my heart fills with deep emotion for you and I begin to cry.
For although you are no longer physically dwelling on earth with me,
You shall forever reside in my heart and in my memory.
You have always been my dearest beloved best friend,
Encouraging me to strive high and to find
my pot of gold at my rainbow's end.
For you will always be my role model and inspiration too,
And that is why I shall forever cherishly adore and pay homage to you.

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

~**~**~

A Father's Day Tribute To My Dad
Cynthia Groopman

Oh, dearest beloved dad of mine,
I feel the warmth of your spiritual presence radiating
in the glow of the golden sunshine.
I hear your reassuring voice gently whispering in the wind's quiet blow.
And I am dazzled by melodies so sweet and low.
I feel your arms envelop me in a fond fatherly embrace,
As you tenderly caress my smiling happy face.
You have guided me safely down life's rocky road,
Easing my burden and carrying my load.
In times of emotional pain and deep sorrow,
You comforted me with words of optimistic hope for a brighter tomorrow.
You rejoiced in my triumphs, as you beamed with pride,
And at this moment, I know that you are standing by my side.
In moments of danger, you sheltered me under your protective wing,
Calming me and helping me understand everything.
Now you are in God's eternal dwelling place,
And I long for your loving embrace.
For dearest dad, I shall always honor you in every way that I can,
Because you were an extraordinary father and a truly remarkable man.

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

 ~**~**~

Readers Feedback

Carol Re: Your piece on human trafficking: They kidnap young girls here in the U.S. and take them to Saudi Arabia and countries like that for slaves. I knew a man that his daughter was taken. They caught the perps when they had plane trouble and had to land
in Florida. Seems they had six or eight young girls. Those perps would
make good targets. Marks

Carol,

I loved the subtle sense of humor in Joseph Walker's story "The Crown Prince of Cholesterol" and Mary Dees' poem "Beauty Rest".  Both gave me quite a few chuckles.  A little humor goes a long way, especially in times like these.

Sincerely,

David Fox

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