Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

August 3, 2007

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Rosanne Catalano

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Michael Smith

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Barbara Weymouth

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Helen Dowd

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Today’s Announcements

A special birthday wish goes out to Cynthia Groopman from her friends at Storytime Tapestry: Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com

DEALING THE HAND WE’RE DEALT

As I write, dozens of teenagers are gathering in a school building not far from where I live. A month ago this same group gathered to celebrate the end of high school and the beginning of life. Tonight they are gathering to grapple with life’s harshest reality.

Two of their classmates – both extraordinarily popular and talented – have been in a serious car accident. One of them is dead; at this moment the other is in critical condition.

And suddenly that wonderfully exciting world the Class of 2007 seemed poised and ready to conquer four weeks ago is a lot less wonderful.

And a lot more frightening.

“This is just . . . surreal,” said one student, her red eyes clearly reflecting a mix of pain, anguish and confusion. “I keep thinking we’re going to wake up and it will all be a bad dream.”

“It doesn’t make any sense,” said another, shaking his head, still numb from the news. “Why . . . why . . . why . . .”

He couldn’t complete the sentence, but he didn’t really have to. Everyone within the sound of his voice was asking the same incomplete question: “Why . . why . . . why . . .”

For now there are no satisfying answers.

Not for the Class of 2007. Not for anyone.

The fact is, philosophers have struggled to find answers to those questions for centuries. About the best they’ve been able to come up with is: “Because . . because . . .because . . .”

That’s why I value the perspective of Leon, a friend of mine who fought – and lost – a valiant battle against cancer some years ago. At the time Leon was a man in his prime. A lifetime of hard, physical labor had given him the physique of a man much younger than his 58 years. And coming up through the School of Hard Knocks had given him a refreshing point of view and a delightfully quick, cheery, self-deprecating wit.

“I figured you might be able to use these,” he said one summer as he handed over a box filled with the plumpest, juiciest peaches I had ever seen. “If I figured wrong, just wrap up the box and give ‘em back to my wife for Christmas. She loves dried fruit.”

The discovery of his cancer seemed to set off a chain reaction of bad events in Leon’s life. There were problems with Workman’s Compensation, then problems with his medical insurance. Then his brother died. Then Leon became paralyzed. Then there were car problems. Then came word that the cancer had spread so far so quickly that nothing could be done.

Leon wasn’t quite keeping pace with Job. But he was close.

At first, Leon told me, he found himself asking “why” – a lot. Why him, when he was the only member of his family who hadn’t abused his body with alcohol? Why now, when he and his sweet Mae were looking forward to slowing down a little and enjoying the grandkids? And why cancer, with all of its attendant pain and uncertainty?

But as he got closer to the end he stopped worrying about “why” and started focusing on “how”: how to make the best use of the time he had left; how to make amends for past insensitivities; how to accept and live life as it is; how to cope.

“The way I see it, God’s the only one who knows why, and He doesn’t seem to want to tell me,” Leon said. “So I can’t worry about why. I can only worry about what is. This is the hand that life has dealt me, and so I’m going to play it out the best I can.”

Which, I’m proud to report, is exactly what he did. Right to the end.

Now, that attitude may not play very well in a world that demands instant answers and complete satisfaction within the time frame of a 30-minute sitcom. But it worked for Leon, and I suggest that it can work for the Class of 2007, too. Yes, there is pain and sorrow in the world, and sometimes bad things happen to good people. We can’t change that, nor can we always explain “why.” But with faith and courage we can take the hand that life deals to us and play it out the best we can. Faith is what helps us cope with “whys” when the only answer is “because.” And courage is what it takes to accept “because” as an answer without surrendering to it.

Which is a hard, painful lesson for members of the Class of 2007 to learn. But they’ll learn it – just like we did. And before you know it they’ll be back, conquering the world.

More poised and more ready than they were before.

~**~**~

My Read On The Constitution

Bill Walker

missourisage@yahoo.com

I have been reading, about what some people says about our Constitution.  What the written words are and the meaning of the words.  Somewhere I think most of these small minded people forgot how to read, and understand plan English.  My reading of the Constitution I get one word - Freedom.

Now Freedom doesn't mean I can march out on the street and shoot the guy cross the street for playing his radio real loud.  I got to go do a few things other then shoot the poor dumb so and so. 

Freedom does not mean every thing is going to just perfect. There is so many gives and takes in any kind of government. 

In having Freedom there is going to be things that one puts up with; if I put a complete stop on something. I removed some Freedom from someone else. 

Now if you’re still lost on what has me on the soap box I will say this.  Small minded church people have me ticked off over this separation of church and state deal.  Do these want a church run government?  Well if they do, there are ships, planes and such coming and going every day. Hop on one and go to a church run country.  Some of these countries have no freedom, except what a one person thinks and wants. You had better dance to his tune or else you find your head cut off and rolling around on the ground.

Let me clear up a couple things, before the church people jump on me for being against what the Bible says.  I know and think there are things people have done, and will continue to do that is against the Bible and God.  I don't like those acts.  But to come right down to letting the church rule complete on such things, will make this nation or any nation a church controlled state.

Remember this.  Some years ago a man and his goons came to power.  First thing was to round up a small group of people that was of one nature.  No one said a word.  Then another small group got to go to the slammer - still no out cry. Then another group and another group till all freedoms of any kind were totally gone.  Then came the day the one man and his goons had complete control.  Those who were left lived in complete fear, and no Freedom.

Freedom to me means, yes I can say I don't like what some people do or don't do. Mr. Preacher, and his friends can scream the wages of such is death in the Lake of Fire.  That is their freedom to do so. If the ones that do these acts can't read and hear the words of the preacher, the Bible, that is their problem, and that is their part of Freedom.  If we total come down hard, and complete the deal to make the preacher happy and his crowd, we have the start of a church run state, and the start of the end of Freedom.

In closing, stop and think of yourself. Are you 100% pure?  I am sure each and every one of us is not 100% pure, either in man made laws or God's laws.  Remember this we each and every one fractures some law every day, may not think so, but we did. 

Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

"AFTER THE PAIN"
Mary Carter Mizrany

After the pain,
the promise;
after the storm,
the peace.

After the weeping
the morning;
joyfulness and
sweet release.

After forgiveness
Redemption;
sin wash'd away
in the Flood.

After the Balm
is healing;
by Jesus' stripes
and his blood.

After the stumble
the helping;
after forgiveness
repair.

After the struggle
the victory;
won by believing
prayer.

After the pruning
more fruitfulness;
wrought by our
Husbandman's hand.

After the sowing
the reaping;
harvests so
gloriously grand.

After the tribulation
patience is the gain;
after patience, experience
hope, AFTER THE PAIN!

Mary Carter Mizrany©

musingByMary@aol.com
June 5, 2007
 

~**~**~

"OUR GO~TO GOD"

Mary Carter Mizrany

Father's Day reminds us
we've a Father in Heav'n above;
who's delighted when His children
look to Him for love.

For Father is our GO~TO GOD
when a warm hug's what we need;
or if a situation calls
for Him  to intercede.

Our GO~TO GOD is ready
when the fat is in the fire;
when our bodies need a healing
He also meets our heart's desire.

He's not a far~off Father
on the contrary he is near;
when we need a bit of comfort
or the drying of a tear.

He never sleeps nor slumbers
oh, His Word is ever true;
He is Almighty ~ Everlasting
there's just nothing He can't do.

For as long time remains
Heav'n is Glory & earth is sod;
we should thank our Lord & praise Him
to be a child of GO~TO GOD:-)

Mary Carter Mizrany©

musingByMary@aol.com
June 18, 2007  

 ~**~**~

Readers Feedback

Dear Carol,  You Decide - This sent shivers down my back. Well written. Joan

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