Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

February 16, 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

  ~**~**~

DO 14-YEAR OLDS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DIE?

Duane Bates

A Seattle fourteen-year-old Seattle boy died of leukemia after a judge ruled he had the right to refuse a life saving blood transfusion because of his religious beliefs. Dennis Lindberg was diagnosed with leukemia in November and had received chemotherapy.  Doctors said that Dennis had a 70% of living for another five years if he had received blood transfusions.

The legal guardian for Dennis was his aunt, a devout Jehovah’s Witness. His birth parents stated that they believed she exercised undue influence over Dennis because of her religious beliefs. 

As parent and retired Child and Adolescent therapist I was shocked that any judge would allow a minor make a medical decision that could result in his death.  The judge said that Dennis was “mature, and that he did not believe he was trying to commit suicide. The parents decided not to appeal the judge’s decision when the doctors told them Dennis had probably suffered brain damage as the result of a coma. 

It is ironic that if Dennis had received regular treatment, including blood transfusions, he had an excellent chance to live to the age when he would be an adult and have the right to make his own decisions regarding medical treatment. When I was in high school I had two friends, brothers that had type I diabetes.  They were Christian Scientists and would not seek medical treatment for their illness.  They both died in their early twenties, but at least they made their decisions as adults.

I believe the judge made a terribly wrong decision in this case, and cannot remember another case that is similar.  

Duane Bates

batesduane@yahoo.com

~**~**~

A HELPING HAND

Dr. Harmander Singh

"I need your help,” a man from the East said to a woman from the West.

"For what?” she asked.

"To enjoy both Sunrise and Sunset,” he said.

"I do not understand it. You can stand anywhere when Sun rises and when it sets. Why do you need me? Please make it clear,” she requested.

"Do you see mother nature with poet's eyes?” he asked her.

"Yes, I do. So you want to see Sunset and Sunrise with my eyes like that of a poet,” she asked without fully comprehending his intentions.

"You are right but you're taking it as if I want to use you. When you appreciate an artist and experience the art in the way he as she has experienced, do you use or abuse,” the man felt unhappy.

"But I do not want it,” she said, as if she wanted to be alone.

"Even though you do not want it, please do not blame me for use, abuse, misuse or accuse you by any means. I apologize that you may have felt like this,” he regretted.

"Please do not misunderstand me. All right, what do you mean by Sunrise and Sunset?” she felt sympathy for him.

"By sunrise I mean the beginning of life and by sunset I mean the closing of a chapter of human life. Your help means to share with you and feel that whether it's East or West, the Sun is the same,” he said.

            They both shared the stories of their life from Sunset to Sunrise.

Daily Moral Insight for a Peaceful Night

It is not beautiful experience to help others and receive help just as sharing hands.

Is not it wonderful when civilized people shake their hands to exchange the wisdom of human life?

Is not it beautiful to see nature with poet's eyes?

Is not it universal joy to see nature with two eyes of the East and the West?

Is not life a continuity of thoughts from Sunrise to Sunset from the East to the West? 

Dr. Harmander Singh

bhagouauty@gmail.com

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

 ~**~**~

 For Rainbow
Earla J. Hollon

Take wing and fly my friend, fly freely across the sky.  No
longer confined to living room walls.  And know that we who love you,
both feathered friends and those who are not, will never forget you.
And we wait, no matter how may years might pass, until we are reunited.
Until then my friend, fly freely across the sky, and if you can, brush
our faces gently with a wing tip as you pass by.   Earla J. Hollon

I wrote this poem for a very sick pet Black Mask Lovebird I own that has
been going to our Avian Veterinarian for several weeks now and last week
was referred to an Avian specialist. 

Earla Hollon

ehollon@fulbright.com

~**~**~

In The Bonds Of Sisterhood

Cynthia Groopman

In the bonds of sisterhood, we laugh,
Merrily grasping hands as we happily traverse life's path.
In the bonds of sisterhood, we smile,
As we traverse each and every one of life's winding miles.
In the bonds of sisterhood, we lovingly share,
and in times of crises, sadness and sorrow, we are always there.
In the bonds of sisterhood, one heart feels another in a tender way,
And it understands everything in a compassionate and empathetic way.
In the bonds of sisterhood, we embrace,
As a caress of sincerity and deep caring enlivens our face.
In the bonds of sisterhood, we weave a beautiful tapestry,
Of deep affection and thoughts so dear,
And joy and gladness my heart feels when you are near.
So may the bonds of sisterhood be flourishing in a way that is vibrant and strong,
As we mirthfully sing sisterhood's radiant sunshine song.


Cynthia Groopman

Copyright ©2005 Cynthia L. Groopman

~**~**~

True Heroes
Cynthia Groopman

Smiling together at a gathering on an early December night,
Those who were true heroes in God precious sight.
For deeds of loving kindness they did selflessly perform,
From the bottom of their empathetic hearts,
And to others, joy, gladness, optimism, knowledge,
Solace and friendship they did impart.
A gentle helping hand to those in need, the heroes did extend,
And aching hearts and weary souls they did cradle and tenderly mend.
Deep caring they did display,
And words of comfort and mirth they did convey
For all of them were such outstanding heroes in a truly remarkable way,
Making a positively profound difference in another's day.
For the greatness and fame the heroes did possess,
Were not furs, riches or jewels,
But spiritual sunshine and glowing personal happiness.
For they are truly a cherished treasure,
We pay and salute them in honored measure.


Cynthia Groopman

Copyright ©2005 Cynthia L. Groopman

On A Diet

On a diet I must be,
And I am not at all happy.
I miss the delicious chocolate candy,
And how it made me feel fine and dandy.
The tasty piece of cake,
Sweeter and brighter, my meal it did make.
When I pass a bakery shop,
I have to run and cannot hesitate to look in the window and stop.
For I am afraid I will give in,
and then I will be committing an awful sin.
A candy store with the delicious chocolates on display,
Makes me sad in an angry way.
For I cannot eat any of life's sweet things,
And for that reason, my heart does not rejoice or merrily sing.
For a diet is like a rainy day,
And I hope that the sun shines and I can eat to my heart's content in a joyful way.
  Cynthia Groopman
cynthia.Groopman@verizon.net

 Readers Feedback

 Duane Bates makes a good deal of sense.  His arguments persuade me that a death penalty is not needed and even has some very unfortunate consequences.  I could live without it, even though I don't mind executing criminals who are actually guilty.

Chris Hansen

~**~**~

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.

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