Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

January 29, 2008

Today’s Announcement

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

  ~**~**~

A Friend Passed Away.
Bill Walker
missourisage@yahoo.com

 A telephone call awhile ago was to tell me a friend passed away this
afternoon. One never knows when this can happen, good thing I guess, or
we would go nuts.

Mr.Billy Breeden crossed over to go home to his Jesus. Billy did
electrical work, he was right good at fixing up your needs in and around
the house and  stores. He also would talk a little about God, and
his Son Jesus. You see, Billy was also a minster of God's operation
here on earth. He didn't come on like gang busters about it. If
something was said, he would give you a few words  while he was
stringing wire or something electrical.

The family also  played and sang old fashion Gospel music at times in
different churches and get togethers at other places. They made a trip
to Nashville a time or two.
He was one of those that did much work for different churches. Oh, he
made a special cut price for them, as he knew most was just getting
by. He also  gave people that he knew were not rolling in  dough a
cut on price.
I met Billy the first time at the church where I attend. He came there
to fix a light and over head fan that was out of whack. I had a key to
the door, and let him in. We had a little small talk as he worked.
He was one of those good Southern boys from Tennessee. I never did
learn why, and how he moved here. Guess I will have to ask his wife,
or mother in-law.

Billy had something  happen, health wise, about a year ago. Had a rough
go for about a month, but I guess his mansion on the hill wasn't quite
done at the time. He recovered, and went back to working on a bit slower
scale.

I last saw him Christmas day. His mother in-law asked me to come for
dinner. They all live real close. and it was a big dinner the women
folk put together. He looked in the pink then. We all had a good
time, and a great dinner. Billy of course gave thanks for the
blessings of the day. I remember he said bless those that have it
tough at this time of year, and he also asked for a special blessing on
our boys and girls over seas. That was Billy, thinking of those that
maybe has it a bit tough.

I will miss seeing him, as others will also. A friend has crossed over
to the other side. Maybe Jesus needed him to come home this time.
I guess the mansion on the hill is ready. So long Preacher Billy.
I, for one, will miss seeing you around.
Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

~**~**~

PERSON AND POSSESSION

Dr. Harmander Singh

            He was a very rich man. He always thought that people loved him because he was rich. Nobody was able to convince him that all loved him because he was a gentle human. He himself went to search the answer for it. He went to a city where many rich people were living. He went to the richest man of the city to have dinner. It was the night of his answer.

"Sir, I'm here to ask you whether people love you or your possessions,” he requested to the rich man.

"Well. Before I answer your question, I must tell you that it took 20 years to get the right answer. How many years have you spent to get the right answer? The rich man asked.

"I've spent about 5 years but after meeting you, I've now spent 25 years because your years will add your experience of 20 years. So answer me as if I've spent 25 years,” he requested.

"You're richer than me because the one who told me spent 45 years and I did not add,” the rich man said and smiles.

"It's good let's add your 20 years, his 45 years and 25 years. In addition, it is its 100 years. Now please answer the question of a century,” he requested.

"It is all right. If you love your possessions more than you do love your own self, you are poor. If you love yourself more than your possessions, you are a rich man. You need to be a rich man,” the rich man said.

            When he heard this, he became the richest man in the world.

Daily Moral Insight for a Peaceful Night

Is not it a glory of joy to enjoy ourselves more than our possessions like celebrating with the smiles of a child?

Is not a tenderness of affection that radiance of person reflects through existence not the possessions that reflect only because of their belonging to the person?

Is not it beautiful to add experience of others to ours by accepting them as our own one way or the other?

Is not it a great that a smile is a result of all additions of all those wonders, which add to our life as assets?

Is not it a beauty of real richness that we find a human inside ourselves?

Dr. Harmander Singh

bhagouauty@gmail.com

~**~**~

The Eyes Have It

Jennifer Oliver

My son, his pupils dilated, squinted at the giant E projected onto the wall.

Slipping one foot out of my sandal, I wiggled my toes.  "How many fingers am I holding up?"

"Mom, behave."  He grinned sheepishly.

This annual pilgrimage to the ophthalmologist was a reminder of the eye surgery Cody underwent to prevent retinopathy of prematurity.  Each year his precious sight worsened bit by bit.

Six painful years of infertility preceded the conception of my firstborn.  While praying for a baby, I devoured parenting magazines.  However, none of the experts prepared me for the jolt of the NICU experience and the subsequent fireworks of love and joy.

When Cody was nine, we revisited the NICU where he lived the first 3.5 months of his life.  Dr. Krauss drank in my son's skinny stature and shock of dirt-blonde hair.

"I remember when you were this small," Dr. Krauss said, cupping his hands.  He cracked open the door to the bustling NICU.  I recalled that cold December day in 1994, the paralyzing fear, as I gazed down at Cody for the first time.  The sign on his incubator announced:  "1 lb, 6 oz."

Peering into the NICU, Cody was awestruck.  "It's like a science lab!"

Dr. Krauss said softly, "He's a miracle."

After coming home from the hospital, Cody sprinted into our house.

"Dad, guess what!" Cody exclaimed.  "I met the man who saved my life!  And I want to be just like him!"

I snapped back to the present as the ophthalmologist entered the room.

"Good news!  No change in his prescription."

Cody handed him a stick.  "I whittled this for you."

The stick was smooth, the size of a pencil.  No small feat for someone as near-sighted as Cody, a gold-medalist jumping hurdles of developmental delays.

"What a fine job, buddy!" Dr. Adams said.

I remember Cody at six months, elastic straps around his tiny head pulling his first pair of glasses snug against his nose.  His sky-blue eyes, their beauty magnified by prescription lens, lingered on me, his mommy who had prayed for six long years, prayed for Cody Travis Oliver to complete this family.

He couldn't articulate a simple sentence, much less "Mommy," until he was almost four years old.  But those adoring eyes, those eyes communicated tribal wisdom, old world charm, love of all ages.  Deep, abiding, unwavering pools of love.  Indeed, those eyes have it.

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

 Cynthia Groopman

cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

The Very Special King's Birth

January15 we celebrate the birth of a very special king,

Justice, equality, dignity, peace and love to all humanity, he did bring.

He was not a royal majesty sitting on the throne in a strange land,

But a humble, godly man, with a caring heart, and helping hand.

Pearls of wisdom, from his heart did regally pour,

His thoughts, sayings and speeches, we cherish and adore.

Segregation and discrimination, he did strive to end,

Promoting brotherhood and sisterhood and hostile prejudicial hearts, he attempted to mend.

He did believe in non violent ways of achieving his goals,

Teaching all to have a pure heart and a loving soul.

His voice rang out so eloquently,

As he preached freedom, harmony and promoted human dignity.

On April 4, 1968, he was shot and when he died,

Millions of people cried.

His words, deeds and actions will forever remain in our heart.

For he motivated all with a special precious Divine spark.

~**~**~

My Impressions Of Friendship
Cynthia Groopman

Like a glittering chain of many links of pure gold,
Friendship is a beautiful tapestry that cannot be bought or sold.
Like a diamond carved out of unconditional love,
Friendship's rare gift is bestowed upon us from God above.
In times of sadness and sorrow,
Friendship is as radiant as the rainbow of hope for a better brighter tomorrow.
Like a rose pedal, so soft and dear,
Friendship speaks to us in a voice so reassuring and clear.
Like a palm tree that regally thrives,
Friendship adds a special richness to our lives.
For friendship is the eternal flame kindled in our hearts,
Drying our tears, cradles our weary souls with an optimistic spark.


Cynthia Groopman
cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

Oh Beautiful Blue Skies
Cynthia Groopman

Oh, beautiful glowing blue skies
Your breathtaking majestic splendor dazzles in my sparkling eyes.
For your regalness is like the Queen of Mirth prancing down the royal aisle,
Oh, beautiful blue skies, you adorn such alluring elegant smiles.
Like a fragrant flower that flarefully blooms,
Oh, blue skies, you charmingly sing such romantic loving tunes.
Oh, blue skies, how truly awesome and vast you are,
And I am enchanted by each dancing twinkling cheerful little star.
Oh, blue sky, you thrive and flourish like a growing leafy tree,
Sprightly dancing round and round,
And in the rhythmic beat of the wind, I hear a rustling sound.
For God has created skies so clear and blue,
And  hopes and promises await us as the rainbows are beaming through.


Cynthia Groopman
 cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

~**~**~

Winter's Harsh Grasp

 Cynthia Groopman

Winter has a grasp so icy an and firm,

For me, I dislike winter with a passion so great,

My reasons for this intense dislike, I shall now relate,

A frigid wind with gusts so strong and full of such intense power,

 That might knock a person to the ground with injury and fright.

Snow drifts so very high are difficult to navigate,

People with sullen faces climb these small mountains and ruminate.

A sullen stillness paints a bleak scene,

That is nature's depressing theme.

Bundled up we must be when stepping outside to go our merry way,

Like a stuffed turkey we feel everyday.

Heat is at low settings in our dwelling places,

As we have to wear outdoor clothes in indoor places.

Noses and hands are red,

The cold gives a pain in the head.

Flue season also bothers us,

Causing lost work and school days and lots of fuss.

Oh, winter, I have a few words I would like to relate to you,

In two more months spring will arrive and skies will be sunny cheerful and blue.

Cynthia Groopman
cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

 Readers Feedback

~**~**~

So good to read a Jennifer Oliver story!--The Jumping Rope Lesson

was a delightful read.  How wonderful that love defines beauty

in this story--a great big hug for the son who thought she was

as beautiful as rainbows with a body full of hearts!

                           Blessings, Mary-Ellen Grisham "meg"

What a precious man Roger is to do this for his wife. Barbara D.

Dear Carol,

I am touched by Cheryl's pain over prejudice at a young age. I live in Canada but am familiar with the history of the blacks in the USA. It is people like Cheryl that made a difference since childhood, who saw the person and not the color and benefited the generation that followed her.Please let Cheryl know that she is a very special woman and moved me  with her caring heart.

Bev Sobkowich

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,