Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

October 4, 2007

Publishers Favourite Sites:

Rosanne Catalano

http://www.rosannecatalano.net/

Michael Smith

http://subs.zinester.com/86758/

Barbara Weymouth

penwormprayerwarriors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Helen Dowd

www.occupytillicome.com

Dean Perchick

http://symzonia.blogspot.com

I'd like to tell you about a new website that I discovered and now love where all of your favorite authors can be heard on video from your own computer!

The website is Bookvideos.tv and is coming to you from Simon & Schuster publishing. Check it out at: http://www.bookvideos.tv! You won't be sorry you did.

Today’s Announcement

Little Girl is in Doggie Hospital. Took sick late yesterday.  possible poison.  Where and how I have no clue.  There is hope she will pull through.  She is on IVs

Bill Walker

to all my many friends.  I checked on her about 5 this afternoon.  she is doing much better. is still on the IV.  but the thought is she has turned the corner.  If all goes well she gets out in the morning.  The thinking is she might have been feeling bad, and I did give her a small hot dog.. she only ate part of it.  she really is never out of sight.. but one never knows.  All i know is she was a very sick little child for all of last night.  I gave her a couple sips of Pepto-bismol.  I had a vet years ago tell me they get an unset tummie also, and it is worth a try.

I think one and all for the many kind thoughts. 

Bill

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Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 Jane’s Mask

Cheryl Williams

It was so hot the pavement was steaming, and the little girl was sorry she had not put her shoes on before leaving the house.  Jane hopped along, bare feet burning, as she tried to get to the grassy spot in the neighbor's yard.

She could still hear the screaming from the house, and she looked behind to make sure nobody had noticed her escape.  She darted behind a bush, and waited for a moment before continuing on her way.  Her heart was racing because she was so scared they were going to come after her.

Jane hated them.  Both of them.  And she knew deep down that they would be glad she was gone.  All they did was yell at her, hit her, call her names.

She huddled behind the bush and cried, afraid someone would see her.  She didn't like people to see her cry.

She heard voices and ducked lower as she saw Angela and her mom walking down the sidewalk.  They were laughing and talking and it made her feel so sad.  Her mother had never acted that way with her. 

She looked down at her leg and the red welts were getting bigger.  She touched one and winced.  It hurt.  But they would go away soon.  They always did. Thank goodness her dress was long enough to cover them. 

Jane stood up,smoothed the material down, and wiped the tears from her eyes, certain her face was no longer red from crying.  She picked up her bookbag, which she kept beside the front door just in case she had to leave quickly, and she headed down the sidewalk toward school.

She sometimes would practice smiling along the way, just so it wouldn't seem pretend.  Sometimes she would even imagine what her conversation with her teacher might be. 

"How are you today, Jane?" 

 "I'm just fine, Ms. Reynolds.  I have a new puppy, and he tries to follow me to school every day."

Whenever she prepared this way, it always made things go easier.  She didn't have to be anything but happy.  Nobody asked questions.  Nobody got into trouble.  She could make straight A's and go home like everybody else...and nobody had a clue what was waiting for her behind the doors of her house.

Nobody.

~Maybe ?~

Many lifetimes ago, we were in love.
God and his angels retch down from above.
He blessed us with patience, because ultimately He knew;
Sickness would soon take me far from you.

Again I was born, so tiny and new.
And then a soldiers death befell onto you.
God once again put your soul in his hands,
He gave you great strength and He made you a man.

You found me again, My hair red as fire.
I knew it was you my king of desire.
But as fate would have it, once more there was grief,
Death rose its head and took you, like a thief.

My fate soon followed at a very young age.
Giving birth to our child , she and I died that same day.
But you were reborn, and you waited for me.
Your heart knew this time, was our time to  live free.

God, one final time, retch down with both hands,
Directing this woman straight towards this man.
Only seconds into a glance, did they feel His awesome touch;
Only they two, knew why it meant so very much.

Lifetimes they traveled, before they could be.
Loving here in this moment, together...eternally.

Cheryl Williams

politicalgirl04@aol.com

~**~**~
 THERE IS NO "FUN" IN DYSFUNCTIONAL

Marsha Jordan

What child doesn't like to imitate his parents? Little girls put on mommy's lipstick and little boys clomp around in daddy's shoes. Unfortunately, we often imitate bad habits of our parents too. Sometimes parents model negative behaviors that can ruin our lives if we imitate them. Addictions and abuse are behaviors that we would be better off not copying.

That's what dysfunctional families are all about -- kids copying their parents -- and hurting themselves and others as a result. And we ALL come from dysfunctional families.

We often find ourselves demonstrating behaviors we dislike. For some reason, it’s much easier to pick up another’s bad habits than it is to learn their good habits.
Once ingrained, negative traits and habits become like chains that are nearly impossible to break, but here's some good news: God says, "You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers." (I Peter 1:18-19) In other words, there's hope of changing and ridding your life of some of those "empty ways" you learned while growing up.

The dark stuff inside us - whether it's from our past or from our own choices - is wrapped up in what God calls "sin." Sin, simply put, is living in a way that’s not good for us or those around us. It’s falling short of the best God has planned for us.

Jesus died to not only forgive our sin - but also to break its power over us. He can remove those chains that bind us. He can change us from the inside out. No one has to stay stuck in dysfunctional lifestyles.

May we pray the prayer of King David in Psalm 51:10. "Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Our "empty ways" have done enough damage. Continuing on in our mistakes will get us nothing but more pain. God is ready to transform our hearts, minds, and lives so we can enjoy the abundant life that Jesus came to give. With His transforming power in our lives, we can declare, "Dysfunctional behavior stops in this generation!"

Additional Thought to Ponder:  Just because you had a lousy childhood is no excuse to become a lousy adult.

Marsha Jordan

www.hugsandhope.org/mj.htm

Author of "Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter"

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

  Mirthfully Greeting October
Cynthia Groopman

Oh, sweet October, as we see your shining autumn face, we greet you in style,
As we embrace you with laughter and a smile.
Cheerfully, we say hello,
As we are caressed by the autumn sunshine's sparkling golden glow.
Oh, joyful October, we cordially greet you in sprightly dance,
As we are marveled by a colorful tapestry of  rainbow elegance.
As all of the leaves rustle and swirl,
With the thrust of the playful wind, they glitter and whirl.
So let us tap our feet,
And clap our hands to the whistling breeze's staccato beat.
For, as we are enfolded into October's colorful leafy arms,
we are dazzled by her majestic enchanting charms.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

My Heart Still Cries
Cynthia Groopman

My heart still cries,
with tears that are like pouring rain,
when I remember the tragedy that befall us on the 11th of September.
My heart still shudders when I hear the mournful voices from afar,
I seek hope in the glow of a rainbow or the dance of a twinkling star.
Who can dry the tears,
when my heart cries with such anxiety and fears.
When I look at the empty ground,
I hear death's powerful, rageful sound.
Where the towers once stood, is only memories of years gone by,
and when I think of the futility of life, my heart will begin to cry.
Nothing exists where the mighty towers did stand proud and tall,
why did they crumble and fall?
Three years have passed so quickly and how time does fly,
in my aching heart, there are tears that always cry.
Please hear my prayer, dear Lord,
vanish my tears from my heart,
and only goodness and peace, nations' words,
actions and deeds to all will impart.


Cynthia Groopman
Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

The Challenges of Life

By Cynthia Groopman

Have you ever stopped to think about life's many challenges we possess,

Like pouring cascading rain, challenges are clouds opaquing our personal happiness.

Many times we worry a great deal,

Anxiety is no longer concealed.

A sudden ache or pain,

May be more for us to handle or to sustain.

As age ravages and rages,

Challenges of life enter different stages.

When we are young with the family,

Mom and dad comfort us easing anguish and promoting tranquility.

In the elderly generation.

Often they are not revered with love, respect or veneration Unable to

handle sadness or depression,

Many suffer from dementia or experience regression.

A reassuring voice and a person who cares. Eases

the sorrow and really shares.

Also, upon God all must rely,

All we have to do is to believe and to try.

Cynthia Groopman

Cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

Through A Child's Eyes

Cynthia Groopman

Through a child's eyes,
every day is fantastic, brand new and full of surprise.
For the enlivened heart of a child dances with extreme elation,
as the child's eyes bask in a world of delightful fascination.
Through a child's eyes, energy, enthusiasm and joy is all around,
as creation rejoices in a sweet melodic sound.
Through a child's eyes the entire world is a truly picturesque sight,
for it only has vision to see the goodness, beauty, joy and gladness,
as it basks in God's precious angelic light.


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

Readers Feedback

my prayers are with Jacqueline Bethune. thanks for sharing this with us, Carol. TANNIA

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