Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Hearts and Humor – A Michael Smith Column

July 13, 2007

Hi, Gang!

I mentioned last week that Ginny and I play scrabble.
Last year I wrote this story.
I hope you enjoy it.


Ginny and I are going through a tough time with my son
the past few weeks. I can't write about it right now.
I promise to fill you in soon.



   Before the story, I have something for you to watch.
This is a repeat of one I sent before.
Please, ladies! I beg you to watch this.
http://youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=SdESd9suStg





                       The Best Move

    Ginny and I sat on our deck,  played scrabble, and enjoyed
a warm summer night. The stars shined; and a light breeze cooled
our skin. The game progressed - our scores close. Ginny formed a
word. It extended to the bottom of the board - the last letter
placed between two "triple word" squares.

    It was my turn. I stared at my tiles. My eyes opened wide.
There it was - the move of my life - "Faltered." It word spanned
both "triple word" squares. I scored 140 points - the best move
I ever made.

                ***********************

    Life is full of tiles. They're scattered  in front of us,
but they're upside down. We don't know what they are until they're
picked up. We can't handle too many at one time. We're only
allowed to choose seven.

    Imagine having seven tiles of life in front of you. You stare
at them and think to yourself, "Life starts here." They're lined
up, but they make no sense. You move them around, trying to arrange
them into something logical, but you struggle. The first move
has to be right.

    The letters come together into a word, but it's a small one.
Will you use it or keep struggling and make a bigger word?
This is the beauty of the game - you get to replace the tiles you
use. Are you going to make small moves, only to pick up a couple
of tiles? Remember, the more you use, the more you can pick
up - more opportunities.

    Later in life, if the tiles are put together right, you get
to have a partner to play with. Their words become stepping.
Each decision has an affect on the others.

    Time goes by. The last tile is placed on the board. The game
is over, but the words you created live on. They are the children
fostered, decisions made, friends found, work done, and the life
lived.

     We start with the same number of tiles. How we use them
is up to us.

    My 140-point score? It represents the day I married Ginny,
the day our words came together, the best move I ever made.

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/

    As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites.

I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites.

    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

To join Carol's story site, go to Storytime Tapestry at:
http://archives.zinester.com/98907/

Here's a good one by Linda Della Donna
Freelance Writer
www.littleredmailbox.com
www.griefcase.blogspot.com
www.storybone.blogspot.com
"...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life."

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/

If you, or anyone you know needs prayers for health concerns,
struggles,etc visit www.janetperezeckles.com
Janet's prayer group will respond.

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.

Now for some comments on my last few stories:

Mike,
Hello again, friend!   I loved your story today, even though
it saddened me thinking about the numerous tough times you've
faced.  But you are definitely an overcomer, and I thank the
Lord that things are looking up for you and Ginny now.  Take
one day at a time, and continue to be thankful for all the
little things that make your life easier and happier.

I am sooooooo grateful that Justin was not in the vehicle
when it crashed and his pal was killed, plus others injured. 
He's very fortunate to be alive, and I know you're extremely
relieved, too.  Life is so fragile.

The video clip of the Chinese woman is nothing short of
amazing!

   She can do more with her feet than I can accomplish with
my two hands.  When I watched her thread a needle and also
cook a meal, my eyes couldn't believe what I was viewing!

Sincere thanks for sharing so many great thoughts, emotions
and online sites/clips with us readers.  We appreciate you v
ery much, Mike.

Blessings,
Sandi in FL.


          *********************
         
         
I've always meant to write you. I'm doing better now at
the things I've always meant to do. I'm sure it's because
I'm learning how to heal old feelings past experiences, etc.
You're site was part of my healing. Maybe someday I can
do for you.I have had things like the cloudy story happen
to me, and it was also exactly what I needed to hear right
now.

Debra

          *********************

Hi there, Mike! This  is  another  classic  piece(A Cloudy
Answer) . your writing  skills  are  amazing, this definitely
is a  God  given   talent,i' m  yet  to   see  someone 
else  capture  a  moment  in  time  or  an  experience 
and  put  it  into  writing  like  you  do.i  don' t  know 
what  to  say .wow !!! thanks  Mike  for  the  inspiration,
there's  no  doubt  that  you  are  touching  lives  all 
over   the  world  and  i  believe  God  is  taking 
you  somewhere
all the  best!

regards
shingirai
zimbabwe.