Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

July 26, 2007

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

Valuespeak@msn.com

SPEAKING OF LIFE

Joseph Walker

For some reason that is completely beyond me, representatives from a local business college have asked me to be their commencement speaker. I’m assuming President Bush was busy. And Vice President Cheney. And Paris Hilton. And . . . just about everyone else.

Except me.

So because I have no life I get to stand in front of 150 graduates and their friends and families and tell them . . . what? I don’t have any unique political insights to offer. I can’t give them any tips about finding success in the business world. I’m not a philosopher or a comedian or a poet. Heck, I’m not even a college graduate, so the way I see it, they’ve already accomplished something that I didn’t accomplish – so why should they bother to listen to me?

As far as I can see, the only thing I’ve done that they haven’t done is aged. A lot. I’ve lived two or three decades longer than most of the graduates. Maybe there are a few things that I’ve learned through the years that will be worth 15 minutes of their time on graduation evening.

For example, I’ve learned that “fair” only exists for prize hogs and Disney princesses. For the rest of us “fair” is, at best, a theoretical concept. It would be nice to think that fairness and equity dictate that we will at least receive equal portions of good stuff and bad stuff – eventually. But it doesn’t work that way with referees in the NBA playoffs, and it doesn’t work that way in life. While all of us are going to experience difficulty now and then, some of us are going to have more than our share of disaster and disappointment. That’s just that way it is.

Thankfully, life isn’t a sprint – it’s a steeplechase. It isn’t about racing unimpeded from beginning to end. It’s about facing obstacles and overcoming them. Sometimes we clear the hurdle cleanly and efficiently. Sometimes we stumble and fall face first in the water. The key to success in the steeplechase – and in life – is not in never falling, but in getting up quickly and getting back in the race. What happens to you isn’t as important as how you choose to respond to what happens to you. That will make all the difference.

Another thing I’ve learned through the years is that karma is real. What goes around comes around. You reap what you sow. Just ask Tony Soprano.

At its heart, life is a series of choices. Am I going to get up on time? Am I going to shower this morning? Am I going to have Cocoa Krispies for breakfast? Am I going to break the speed limit on the way to work? Am I going to pull over to help that stranded motorist? You make choices, and you accept the consequences of those choices. Sometimes the consequences are immediate and natural: anxiety, indigestion, a speeding ticket. Sometimes they are more ethereal, like how good things seem to happen to you after you’ve done something good for somebody else. At the very least, you feel good about yourself and the world in which you live.

And that’s good karma to have working for you – especially if life isn’t fair (see above).

Of course, there are other things I’ve learned through the years – mostly “don’ts”: don’t double dip your chip at a party, don’t hurry when shaving with a new blade, don’t forget to change your oil, don’t invade a Middle Eastern country without having an exit strategy firmly in place. But I don’t plan to spend much time on those during my commencement address. Instead I’ll wrap up with the biggest “do” of all: do be meticulously honest. Right from the start. Don’t tell that first little lie. Don’t steal that first ream of paper. Don’t fib one half-hour on your time sheet. If you don’t do it the first time, there won’t be a next time. Or a next. Or that final stupid dishonesty that will ruin your life and your reputation forever.

Even if that means that you don’t have an excuse – real or fabricated – when someone asks you to give a speech.

~**~**~

October 8, 1956
Bill Walker
missourisage@yahoo.com

What was October 8,1956 the day like? Well it was like any other day that comes along in early October. This year it fell on a Sunday. And it was World Series Time. Once again it was the hated damn New York Yankees in the games against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

At the Burwood Cafe, dad had made a deal with the manager of the Gambles store to set up a TV in the cafe. Best I remember it was a 17 inch cabinet model. It was set up on the back bar along the counter.  There was just a hung up antenna to try to bring in a picture, it did a so so job at times.

This game was moving along at a fair clip, seemed like the Dodgers were up to bat, three men up and had to go back and sit down. This pitcher for the Yankees was hot on target with the pitches.

Dad was just like most others watching. Hoping a hitter for the Dodgers would reach base and maybe score. Dad gum Yankees and their high priced over paid team anyways. It seemed like there was quite a few dining who were eating slow, the normal Sunday after church crowd was gone by 3 at the least. Every one was glued to the tube.

The ninth inning came up, last try for the Dodgers. By now even the die hard "hate those Yankees" fans was rooting for each pitch to be a strike.

Two out, 2 strikes and a ball was the count. Third pitch on way.  SWING and a miss. The crowd goes wild. Don Larsen pitched a perfect game in the World Series. No man on the Dodger team reached base.

Something never done before, and may well never be done again. Not in a World Series. Larsen threw the ball 97 times. Now do some math. There are 3 outs to one half of the inning. He faced 27 batters, at 97 pitches. He had to be hot.

October 8, 1956. What kind of day was it? Well it was the day sports history was made. Don Larsen pitched a perfect game in the World Series. Yogi Berra was the catcher doing the calling of the pitches. The Dad Gum Yankees won the game 2 to zip.
Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

 THE MASK

Conrad S. Cardinal

Most of us wear a mask, to keep from

being real.

Hiding our thoughts most of the time,

rarely revealing how we feel.

Never allowing those around us see

who we are.

Making sure that when they view us,

it's always from afar.

Isn't it sad we feel, we must go through

life having to wear a disguise?

Even afraid, most of the time, to look

in each others eyes.

Trying to be something we're not,

ashamed of who we are.

The shame of it all, in God's eyes,

each of us could be a star.

Conrad S. Cardinal

Cconseth@aol.com

~**~**~

 IF ONLY

Conrad S. Cardinal

I wish that I could be as a child, in awe

of what I see.

Inspired to over come each obstacle,

never thinking this can't be.

Facing each day, with a smile, eager

to experience and learn.

Pleased by each days accomplishment,

proud of the praise they earn.

Never pretending, optimism unending,

what you see is what you get.

Seeming to know, they'll improve as

they grow, you ain't seen nothin yet.

When I look in their eyes, they appear

so wise and  knowing.

Gentle and kind, what's on their mind,

only honesty showing.

They haven't been tainted by the world

and its pride.

They laugh and they play, enjoying

each day, seeing no reason to hide

To bad as we grow, convinced that we

know, so much innocence lost.

We become so smart, have a change

of heart, what a terrible cost.

Conrad S. Cardinal

Cconseth@aol.com

 ~**~**~

Jonathon , You're writing is beyond your years in both writing skill & in wisdom. So glad you shared it with us! Constance Gilbert.

Congrats to Sharon for those lost and found project of WWII. I noticed a couple of German's name. I think I will do some digging of my own to see if I can help, too. TANNIA

Readers Feedback

Carol,

I absolutely loved this story!  The anonymous person who mailed the letter to Meredith should be commended for their empathy and creativity!

Your friend,

David Fox

P.S. Victor, thanks for passing along this truly inspiring story.

Carol,

I saw this before, but that's ok, as a pet lover myself, it is a beautiful story.

So was the one on our news today.

A little boy in Colorado was outside in his yard.  The pet Chihuahua was outside with him.

The little boy did not see the rattle snake coming at him.  The dog did.

When the snake went to strike the boy, the little dog put himself between the little boy and the snake.  The snake struck the little dog four times.

But I am happy to say the little dog has survived and is doing fine.

He was protecting his little master.

Sharon

Famous People Column - This story is about over coming our shortness and allow God's to guide us in the path He has chosen for us. Very encouraging story. Bravo, David!  TANNIA ORTIZ-Germany

Carol, Victor sent the story to me this morning, and I did one for a newspaper for kids in altese - it was my inspiration... a girl loses her cat, writes to Saint Anthony... and the postman brings it back "special delivery". Tanja

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