Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

January 18, 2008

Today’s Announcement

A Happy birthday wish goes out to our wonderful writer Kay Seefeldt from all her fans here on Storytime Tapestry:  birdnest@megalink.net

The Latest on Matt’s Mom is that she has kidney stones. She is on    Matt’s mom is still hanging in there.  She goes for her kidney stone surgery on Friday.  Please continue to pray from her recovery.

Don’t forget to order your copy of Angels Watching Over Me, the story of an ordinary woman facing less than ordinary challenges.  Angels Watching Over Me is a story of family love, sacrifices, poverty and an undying faith that makes heroes out of all of us. Here is the link in case you have forgotten it: http://www.lulu.com/content/964306

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

  ~**~**~

My First Lapghan
Doris B. Fandal

I finished my very first lapghan on August 2, 2007 I made it for a retired veteran who lives here in our community in a Retired Veteran's home.  This lapghan is a very important item to me because ...well, I need to go back in time a bit and explain so read on and bear with me as I tell the story of my adventures in the world of crochet. 

My grandmother and my mother were both very good crocheters but somehow no one ever thought to teach me, maybe because I was supposed to be left handed and my mother had turned me to the right.  As a result I sewed both ways and it just wasn't good for crochet!

Anyway, in 2002, a woman who said she "could teach anyone" to crochet tried to give me a lesson and ended up by telling me in her own way, "You won't be able to crochet."   Well, I put my hooks and yarn away for a while and just gave up but still in my mind, there was the wish to learn to crochet.

Finally in December of 2005 I found two teachers who could teach me to crochet and I have been busily crocheting and learning new patterns every day!  I am so proud of my accomplishments and have even done a couple of designs of my own.  I am on my way to
success and to think, I just learned the craft at the age of almost 67!   Now to get back to the story...

This year my friend Dean was starting to make a lapghan for someone at the Retired Veterans home and asked me to do one too.  Hey Dean, I said to my friend, "I have never made an afghan or a lapghan but I can try.  I did have a bunch of granny squares made
and I could use them.   This lapghan may turn out to be the most important item I ever crochet."  You see, my grandson had joined the Louisiana National Guard and was finishing his basic training and graduating on August 3, 2007 and I took the 'almost finished" lapghan with me to have something to do on the plane as we traveled to Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  I worked diligently on the lapghan as we traveled and the night before the big graduation, I finished it.  As I did, the thought entered my head that this was significant because I was finishing a lapghan for a retired veteran the day before a young man would take his final step in basic training and would be going out to try to fill the shoes of someone who has gone before him. 

So you see, this lapghan is a very special item to me and will be one that won't ever be forgotten even though I will give it away and never see it again.  To me, this lapghan is going to show the continuing of our generation into the next generation. This lapghan will be my way of showing my appreciation to someone who has served our country and has helped to preserve my freedoms.  Mr. Veteran, whoever you are, I thank you for what you did for all of us.  God bless you!
© Doris B. Fandal
August 9, 2007

mkayla38@yahoo.com

~**~**~

HEAVENLY BARKING

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     My house has been a bit quieter the last few months. It has been missing the happy bark of my dear beagle, Ody. After blessing my life with his love and devotion for over 13 years my old friend finally passed away last Fall. It has been tough going at times without him. I still at times look down and expect to see him curled up at my feet. I still at times listen to hear his bark to be let in from the backyard. I still at times reach into the box and get four dog treats instead of three. My other furry friends have showered me with extra affection and attention since he passed and I love them for it. Still, there is a place in my heart that will always be his.

     I think he must know this too, because he came to visit me last night. God must have let him sneak down the rainbow bridge while I slept. There he was in my dream, young and healthy again. He was so full of energy and love. I smiled as he ran around me and barked in pure happiness. It was so good to see him again. It filled my heart with love. It made my soul dance with joy. It helped my mind to see clearly once again that there is no death and that life and love go on forever. After I woke up I stayed awake for a long time remembering every moment of this dream. I knew that it was more than just the longings of my heart. I knew that it was my old friend’s way of telling me that we will be seeing each other again.

     My house is still a bit quieter now, but my heart no longer is. I know that one day I will be hearing a lot of Heavenly barking. What a glorious sound it will be too. It will be full of love and happiness, and I will rejoice in every moment of it.

     Take the time to rejoice in and share your own love today. Hug your two-legged friends and bend down to pet your four-legged ones. Thank God too for every moment you get with them. But also remember that your love won’t end here. Love like life and friendship is eternal.

Joe Mazzella

joecool@wirefire.com

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Poetry Corner

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Contact: bhagouauty@gmail.com

Our Human Ego and the Sermon in the Holy Bible

Dr. Harmander Singh

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

You are the creator,

However, we hardly indulge in you but in the creation,

You have the purpose for the creation,

However, we hardly follow the purpose but illusion,

You have the love for the whole creation,

However, we never seem to stop disliking.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We say that kingdom of heaven belongs to us,

However, we never show ourselves spiritually poor,

We say that you will comfort us,

However, we never mourn with divine compassion,

We say that we shall received what you have promised,

However, we never humble ourselves,

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We claim that you will satisfy   us fully,

However, our greatest desire is rarely to do what you require,

We claim that you will be merciful to us,

However, we are rarely merciful to others in a profound way,

We claim that we shall see you,

However, we are rarely pure in heart like a child.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead the humans.

We proclaim ourselves as your children,

However, we rarely work for peace for all,

We proclaim that we are doing what you require,

However, we rarely want prosecution

We proclaim ourselves your followers,

However, we rarely want to face insult and evil lies against us.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We call ourselves salt for all humankind,

However, we rarely speak the truth lest we face crucifying ourselves,

We call ourselves light for the whole world,

However, we rarely shine for those, whom we dislike,

We call ourselves the highest in the heaven,

However, we rarely obey your commandments.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We offer our gifts to you,

When our fellow humans face sufferings caused by us,

We make our prayers to you,

When we hand over our fellows to court,

We sing our songs to you

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

You commanded not to divorce even the unfaithful wife,

We pray and seek your guidance for insight of obeying it,

You commanded not to take revenge on someone,

However, we do not want to do good to someone who wrongs us,

You commanded not to hate even enemy.

However, we rarely love our friends unconditionally.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We love those who love us,

Because we are hardly better than what we ought to be,

We invite those who invite us,

Because we are hardly better than what we ought to be,

We speak to those who speak to us,

Because we are hardly better than what we ought to be,

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Out supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We let it happen that

We do perform our religious duties in public,

We know it that

We should not do acts of charity to show people,

We let it happen that

We help needy and make big show of it.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our Supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

Teach and guide us how to help needy,

So that we may be rewarded by you,

Teach and guide us how to give something to needy,

So that we may be pleased by you,

Teach and guide us how to help needy

So that we may receive your blessings,

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We usually pray when everyone watches us,

We usually pray when room is open,

We usually pray when our heart is away,

We usually pray when you do not need words,

We usually pray when you are blessing everyone,

We usually pray when you bestow by your own ways.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We pray you to forgive us,

However, we do not forgive others,

We pray you to forgive us,

However, we do not stop judging others,

We pray you to forgive us,

However, we do not have mercy for others.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

Merciful Father, We seek your mercy,

Give us strength to do fasting without letting anyone know it,

Merciful Father, We seek your mercy,

Give us strength to store up riches for ourselves in heaven,

Merciful Father, We seek your mercy,

Give up strength to keep light spreading for all,

O Dear God, There is nothing without you.

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We boast that we are serving one master,

However, we still love possessions more than persons do.

We boast that we are not worried about anything,

However, we are still worried about food and cloths,

We boast that we are concerned with kingdom of true living,

However, we are still worrying about the problems for the future.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

We are hypocrite because we judge others,

We are hypocrite because we usually ignore to look inside,

We are hypocrite because we usually do not honor holy,

We are hypocrite because we usually do not obey you,

We are hypocrite because we usually do not feel you by heart.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us the humans.

It is rare that we ask you by heart,

It is rare that we seek you by heart,

It is rare that we knock your door by heart,

It is rare that we surrender you by heart,

It is rare that we hear you by heart,

It is rare that we open to you by heart.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us the humans.

We think we will go to heaven but walk on wide road,

We think ourselves saved but do not check falsehood in us,

We think we will have self-realization but rarely surrender,

We think we will never fall but do not obey your word,

We think we will bring peace but rarely apt for true living.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us the humans.

We do not welcome your messengers of peace,

However, seek reward from you,

We do not welcome the good humans,

However, seek reward from you,

We do not welcome least of your servants,

However, seek reward from you.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us the humans.

We are evil and godless when we seek miracles,

The greatest miracle is to love you,

We are unworthy and sinful when living inhumanly,

The greatest human is one, who obeys you,

We are broken and weak because we are in flesh,

The greatest attempt of the flesh is to obey you.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us the humans.

Your word is like mustered seed,

But we do not sow it in the field; the heart,

Your word is like the yeast,

But we do not mix it with flour; the people,

Your word is like a hidden treasure,

However, we do not to buy it, sell everything, the possessiveness.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us the humans.

Forgive us when we do not proclaim your ways,

Forgive us when do not walk on your ways,

Forgive us we do not grow in your ways,

Forgive us when we do not keep your ways,

Forgive us when we do not rely on your ways,

Forgive us when do not obey your ways.

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

Give us the ears to listen what you say,

O Dear Father, Hear our prayers, we pray,

Give us eyes to see you in everyone,

O Dear Father, Hear our prayers, we pray,

Give us tongues to praise you in everything,

O Dear Father, Hear our prayers, we pray

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

Dear Father, as the burning candle melts,

Prays Bhagouauty, melt our egos with truth of your word

Dear Father, as the evil thoughts ruin our intellect

Give us the wisdom of conscience, the voice of truth

Dear Father, as the discerning power helps us all

Bless us the joy of Holy Spirit, the treasure of your gifts

O Dear God, There is nothing without you,

Our supplication to you is to lead us, the humans.

~**~**~

Story Feedback

 The Child and the Angel teases the mind and warms the heart.    I hope that Dr. Singh is a parent to many!               Louise

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, Marilyn Sink, Victor Buhagiar, Clarice Hinson, Conrad Cardinal,