Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

July 5, 2007

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Today’s Stories

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A Blind Immigrant Speaks Out:

Divided or United?

By Janet Perez Eckles

While colorful fireworks burst through the dark skies, and red, white and blue flags flap in the wind, a sense of pride swells up in me. Not an arrogant pride, but one of gratitude and appreciation. Let me tell you why.

As I sit at my computer tapping on my keyboard, comfortable in my home’s air-conditioning and other luxuries, my mind goes back to my native country of Bolivia. I go back to my birthplace, where daily protests block streets and put an abrupt halt to business. Homes where electricity, water and gas are often available for only hours at a time and are sometimes turned off completely without notice.

Schools with empty classrooms abound—teachers are marching through streets demanding a raise in pay from their monthly salary equivalent to $150. Remote areas exist where indoor plumbing and electricity are unknown, with no hope of ever enjoying these amenities that we take for granted. A government that fosters corruption and selfish ambition keeps the country stagnant. A land where a "give-me" mentality prevails over diligence and commitment.

Unfortunately, I believe I’m describing not just Bolivia, but the majority of third world countries where there is no 4^th of July celebration. Instead, hopelessness sends fireworks of anger, rage and bitterness. Freedom often means more opportunities to experience gloom and poverty. Although my native country, its people, and its scenic countryside still tug at my heart with love, my appreciation for my American citizenship grips me with awe and gratitude.

As immigrants entered its borders centuries ago, they united in arduous work and sacrifice, enduring suffering to lift its principles and liberty for us to enjoy today. They marched to their place of work without making demands on the government. Rather, they put their demands on themselves in the spirit of prosperity. Their patriotism shone with their desire to build a country where freedom prevailed, and they united in an effort to give to the community rather than insist on benefits without earning them.

Coming from an immigrant who knows both sides, I would shout today from the rooftops, "America is still the greatest country in the world!" But the greatest obligations we have are to embrace her ways, learn the language, adjust to her culture, and contribute rather than tap into her resources. And while our family keeps our Hispanic culture in our hearts with its music, ethnic dishes and traditions, our desire is to support unity, not promote division. And this writer believes demands for drastic changes in the laws that contradict the principles exalted by the founding fathers might dangerously nudge us to a "Divided States" rather than a "United States."

As we celebrate our Fourth of July holiday, may we all toss our colorful ethnic contributions into a blend of strength, sound principles and unity for our country!

**

Janet Perez Eckles, an immigrant, is a Court-certified Spanish interpreter, ladies’ Sunday school teacher, national inspirational speaker, freelance writer, and contributor to seven books including Chicken Soup for the Soul. She authored, "Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow"—a true story of triumph and success.

Janet Perez Eckles

Jeckles@cfl.rr.com

Nuggets of inspiration for the hurting heart may be found at:

www.janetperezeckles.com

~**~**~

This I Believe # 14
Bill Walker
missourisage@yahoo.com

This I Believe, It is a hell of a way to fight a war. I have a problem with the way this Iraq War is going. I don't understand a few
things I guess. This I do Believe.

I remember a few things I learned while in service. You take a place, you round up any thing that can be called a weapon. What is that guy over there doing with a rifle? The order would be strip him of it and now, dead or alive, he gives up the gun. Friend or foe, you make a good friend out of them. Don't they teach this at West Point any more?

I would have thought as the troops moved along, there would have been a sweep up of weapons. You think that guy is a friend? You think, well let’s make sure, get the gun. We need a General George Patton. It is a waste of men and time to have to fight for a bit of ground twice. Fall back and regroup, like hell would be General Patton's words. We
regroup right here, and we own this ground.

This is what we are doing, fighting for a bit of ground ever damn day, and not doing a very good job of it. This is because guns were left in people's hands.

This may be a different kind of war, but is it? I think it's a problem with the brains in command, and this goes all the way to the White House. No one ever studied history. If they did they sure flunked the course. I believe there has been many a war fought like this mess has been. And the home folk always won out in the end. Do you not remember the bush whackers of the War of Independence? They played a big part in winning that mess with Dear Old England. They too played the hit and run deal. That was because every home owner had a shooting iron of some kind. If the Royals had gone house to house and grabbed up the fire arms, might have saved a few British soldiers lives.  Maybe we wouldn't have won the war. Don't people ever learn anything? We have leaders that never studied history. This I Believe.

You say there are new supplies of weapons and other things coming in from next door countries? Why is this? Don't we have any one that can seal the borders? Well I guess we don't, as we can't do that at home. Funny other counties do a pretty good job of sealing the borders, we can't. This I Believe.

As long as so called friend and foe, and no one really knows the difference in the two, can walk about with a gun in hand, we are in trouble. As long as a fresh supply of guns, and the means to make bombs is being trucked in, there is going to be more and more of our boys paying the price of this damn war. This I Believe.
Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

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Poetry Corner

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Oh Precious Nation of Mine

By Cynthia Groopman

Oh, precious nation of mine,

Embraced are we by freedom's golden sunshine.

Hallowed in a manner so dear,

Able to dwell without fright and fear.

Your priceless gift given to us is equality,

As we savor life, pursuit of happiness and liberty.

Home are you to heroes so valiant, brave and strong,

My heart swells with pride,

as I salute the blessed flag and praise you in honored song.

Oh, precious nation of mine, you we greatly adore and deeply appreciate,

On, this your birthday, in gratitude, we mirthfully celebrate

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

Expressing Pride,

Cynthia Groopman

With joyful songs, and poems, pride I express,

For the wonderful people who share,

care and crown my life with splendid happiness.

For heroes who rescue, protect and fight crime and fires,

Their energy, brave spirit and dedication, I admire.

Those who overcome disability with dignity and grace,

I express my pride with a glowing smiling face.

To all who labor to make this world a better place,

They are enfolded in pride's loving embrace.

With adoration and appreciation,

I praise and applaud our God, for beauty, love,

and for His majestic creation.

To those who came before me,

With pride an deep affection,

I love them eternally.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

 ~**~**~

July's Pageantry

Cynthia Groopman

Clad wit majestic pageantry,

July is indeed a month full of fun, mirth and festivity.

Fire works so awesome, colorful and loud,

Enhance our nation's celebration, of which we are proud.

Flags are waved and displayed in every place,

As we are enfolded in patriotism's fond embrace.

A barbecue in the back yard or at a family or friend,

Joyous days we enjoy and spend.

Taking a swim in the pool,

On a hot day, we are kept cool.

On her patriotic face, July adorns a smile so truly bright,

As we savor freedom's precious light.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

 In Appreciation Of My Native Land
Cynthia Groopman

Oh dear native land, you are my precious gift,
that I shall always cherish with such deep love,
For throughout history, you have been strong,
mighty and courageous, and a blessed treasure from God above.
In the dawn's early light, old glory flies so elegantly high,
Gracefully crowning the beautiful blue sky.
A rainbow tapestry of smiling citizens rejoicefully sing
As the hallowed bell of freedom will triumphantly ring.
Your purple mountains and fruited plains
are picturesque marvelous joys to behold,
And bravery and heroism depict a marvelous story that is remarkably told.
You are our haven for equality and dignity,
Where we live in brotherhood's peace and harmony.
You are my native land, so beloved and so great,
And with deep affection, we salute you as we gleefully celebrate.
For dear red, white, and blue
My heart swells with patriotic pride,
as I express these sentiments that are loving true.
 
Cynthia Groopman

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

Readers Feedback

 Carol,

What a great tribute these articles and poems are to the United States of America.  And my prayers go out to Fredia for her niece.

Your friend,

David Fox

Dear Carol,

Thanks for this column- believe me, I understand !I had a knee replacemet 8 months ago and he tried to do a spinal- couldn't get the needle in because I'm "obese". I was 106 lbs overweight.

Due to complications, I stayed in rehad 7 weeks, lost 19 lbs as the food was so bad, even I couldn't eat it.

I'm just this week walking some without a cane or walker.

I'm on the NutriSystem diet- have lost a total of 40 lbs and 66 more to go.

I'm a minister and my pet peeve was fat preachers"they have no discipline"- ( mirror principle ??)

I had my 32nd AA birthday day before yesterday  and quit smoking 17 months ago.

Pray for me and I will for you-chiropractor says another 66 lbs and I probably won't have this back problem.

Thanks again-

Love, prayers and blessings,

Vantrice Burkes

Burkes Good News Ministries

Ruidoso, N.M.

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