Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

December 19, 2007

Today’s Announcement

Attention everyone, as promised, the Christmas Contest Submissions start tomorrow, December 20^th.  Today I decided to publish some submissions members have sent in to kick off the season.  Unfortunately we do not have the names of the actual authors available to us at this time.

Christmas is just around the corner and most of you have already started to think about Christmas gifts for this season.  Why not help out Storytime Tapestry with its ongoing commitment to provide you with free wonderful stories and poems daily by purchasing the publisher’s newest book for someone special on your holiday gift giving list this year.  Angels Watching Over Me can be published through lulu press in both hard copy and e-book.  Just click on the link:  Angels Watching Over Me

 Important notice: Storytime Tapestry is a free e-zine, however donations are always needed to help with the operating expenses of running the newsletter and to keep Storytime Tapestry the quality newsletter you are so accustomed to.   You can make your donations to paypal at: winterose@videotron.ca, or if you would prefer to use the mail system contact the publisher at the same email address: winterose@videotron.ca

Today’s Stories

~**~**~

 MERRY CHRISTMAS" IN 79 LANGUAGES

Here's how to say "Merry Christmas" in 79 languages!

Afrikaans: 'n Geseende Kersfees en 'n voorspoedige Nuwejaar
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
Albanian: Gezuar Krishtlindje
Arabic: I'D MIILAD SAID OUA SANA SAIDA
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Basque: Zorionstsu Eguberri. Zoriontsu Urte Berri On
Bengali: Bodo Din Shubh Lamona
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Celtic: Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan
Chinese: (Catonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Hong Kong) Kung Ho Hsin Hsi. Ching Chi Shen Tan
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Gladelig Jul
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
English: Merry Christmas
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Roomsaid Joulu Puhi
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije
Jier!
German: Froehliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Bada Din Mubarak Ho
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Kala: Khristougena kai Eftikhes to Neon Etos
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Latvian: Priecigus Ziemas Svetkus un Laimigu Jauno Gadu
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Northern Sotho: Matlhatse le matlhogonolo mo ngwageng o moswa.
Norwegian: God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar
Pennsylvania German: - En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei
Yaahr!
Papiamento: Bon Pasku i Felis Anja Nobo
Pig Latin: Errymay ristmaskay nday appyhay ewnay earyay
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia
Portuguese: Feliz Natal
Rapa-Nui: Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Romanian: Craciun Fericit
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom
Serbian: Hristos se rodi
Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Scottish: Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ur
Serbian: Hristos se rodi!
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad!
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt Ar
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil: Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho
Vietnamese: Chung Mung Giang Sinh
Waray: Maupay nga Pasko ngan Mainuswagon nga Bag-o nga Tu-ig
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Zulu: Nginifisela inhlanhla ne mpumelelo e nyakeni

~**~**~

A Christmas Poem about Peace Keeping Soldiers: - author unknown, submitted by Hart Dowd

The Night Before Christmas

T'was the night before Christmas, He lived all alone, In a one bedroom house, Made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney, With presents to give, And to see just who, In this home did live.

I looked all about, A strange sight I did see, No tinsel, no presents, Not even a tree.

No stocking by the mantle, Just boots filled with sand, On the wall hung pictures, Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, Awards of all kinds, A sober thought, Came through my mind.

For this house was different, It was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, Silent, alone, Curled up on the floor, In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, The room in such disorder, Not how I pictured, A Canadian soldier.

Was this the hero, Of whom I'd just read?, Curled up on a poncho, The floor for a bed?

I realized the families, That I saw this night, Owed their lives to these soldiers, Who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, The children would play, And grownups would celebrate, A bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom, Each month of the year, Because of the soldiers, Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder, How many lay alone, On a cold Christmas Eve, In a land far from home.

The very thought brought A tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees, And started to cry.

The soldier awakened, And I heard a rough voice, 'Santa, don't cry. This life is my choice.

I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more, My life is my God, My country, my corps.'

The soldier rolled over, And drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, So silent and still, And we both shivered, From the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave, On that cold, dark night, This guardian of honour, So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, With a voice, soft and pure, Whispered, 'Carry on Santa, It's Christmas Day, all is secure.'

One look at my watch, And I knew he was right, 'Merry Christmas my friend, And to all a good night.'

This poem was written by a peace keeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable.

PLEASE.  Would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.   Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.

~**~**~

 Carol,

I'm not the author of this poem but it's a beautiful poem for anyone to read.

I don't know if you'd print it in Storytime, but am sending it to you and you decide.

I guess my years in the military with my first husband, the Holidays he was always overseas, the lonliness, I just feel it says it all about all our troops all over this world.

Thanks,
Sharon

~**~**~

 A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
He was huddled outside but near here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, 

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." 
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
 
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure fo r all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
 

PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being able to celebrate thes e festivities.  Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
 

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum , Iraq.

I pray for GOD TO BLESS  and  TO PROTECT OUR SOLDIERS around the world.

Readers Feedback

~**~**~

Awesome information I thought hugs to you dear Hartson Dowd keep on sharing with us  a fan Leona

Dear Cynthia Groopman, what a wonderful awesome story of love and respect for your precious dad.  God bless you dear one for sharing.  It caused pictures of your dad and you to be viewed as I read.

The compassion and love he gave to people and for people as well as his strength of character to the very last showed well in your written words.  HUGS  so well told  Keep on sharing  your fan Leona

What a wonderful story about a wonderful mother. Mothers, God bless them. Cynthia story brought back many menories. Thanks much.

Bill

Here is our Storytime Tapestry Angels: Also, I would like to thank those of you who chose to be a silent angel and gave an anonymous donation to keep Storytime Tapestry up and running.

Clara Westerfer, Mark Crider, Rosanne Catalano, Paula Booher, Kay Seefeldt, Mariane Holbrook, Mary Ellen Grisham, Louise Nomani, Sharon Bryant, Angela Walker, Hart and Helen Dowd, Keith Ready, Ginger Morgenstern, Ellie Braun-Haley, Surinder Jandu, Bob Shaw, Carol Meeks, Charlotte Hilliard, Maria Keller