Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

March 26, 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

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 All Her Children
by Clara Wersterfer
cbwest@webtv.net

 
Maddie was sitting by the window in the kitchen. The light there was better to see the apron she was stitching. She took a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at the tears on her cheek.

The police officer had just left. He had come to tell her and Bob, her husband, about the accident that had taken the life of Ray, their oldest son. He had been killed by a drunken driver while working for the city driving a water truck that washed the streets.
The police captain had dispatched the officer to go in person and deliver the news, to let them know Ray had died instantly, and did not suffer.

Ray was 35 years old.  Bob came in, moved a chair near Maddie, and sat down. He reached over and patted her arm. "Are you all right? We need to pray" he asked.

"I don't feel like talking to God now.

Two years ago He took Frances, our firstborn daughter, with meningitis. He took Herbert when he was only 16 and fell from the train car he was working on at the railroad roundhouse It was hit from behind by a careless person who wasn't watching out for my son. My youngest child, Dora was taken from me with the flu. She was only eighteen months and had no chance to live. Now He has claimed my oldest and dearest. I have three children left out of seven.

Will He take them too?

Do I just sit and wait until they are all gone? Am I being punished for my sins? What did
I ever do to deserve loosing four children? Have I been a bad mother?

When Ray drove by today on his way to work, I did not know it would be the last time I would ever see his smile or wave to him. Why wasn't I forewarned or even allowed a proper goodby?

Where was God when my children were dying?

He could have saved them. No, I have nothing to say to Him at this time."

 Bob knew it was useless to make any further attempt at conversation with Maddie. He placed his hands over his face and wept silently. When his tears were spent, Bob arose and poured two cups of tea from the pot that was always hot. He added sugar to both cups, then added milk to Maddie's cup. He passed the tea over to Maddie who took it and sipped slowly, wiping tears between sips.

When the tea was finished, Bob asked Maddie if he could talk to her a bit. He took her hand in his before saying

"Maddie, you asked me where was God when our children were dying. Let me tell you that he was there. He took Ray by the hand and removed him quickly from his earthly body so he felt no pain. He did the same when Herbert fell off the train where he was
working. Neither of our girls lingered but a few days. God was there then, and he is here now. He is always with us. God never left our children.

Those children were never ours. They've belonged to God the whole time they were with us. I don't know why he chose to take them, and I won't question His reasons. Maybe someday He will reveal it to us. Until then, I will put my hand in His and go where He
leads me. My faith will sustain me.

I can tell you that those children were not taken for sins you may have committed or because you were not a good mother. You always have been a good wife and mother.
There is no way I can ease your pain.

I am in pain too. I can only cry with you. You will have to ask God for help with the pain.
We need to talk to Him and ask His help in getting through this bad time. Now we must
make arrangements to bury our son's earthly body, knowing his soul is with
God."

Maddie bowed her head and Bob was sure she was making her peace.

Five years later, Bob was called home. He told Maddie as he lay sick with cancer that he knew now why his children had gone on before. They would be there to welcome him when he arrived.

Maddie would say later she knew there was a wonderful, glorious family reunion
with Bob and their children.

Clare Wersterfer

Cbwest@webtv.net
Feb 2008

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Poetry Corner

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 I'm Just A Housewife Sittin' At My Keyboard.....

Cecile Vargo

Spendin' my days poundin' that keyboard
Oft times a googlin' away
Lookin' for the story that hit's the right chord
Findin' what I'm gonna say

It doesn't matter if it's an old legend
Or if it's an old old lore
Take those tales, I can twist em and I can bend
I can always add some more

Housewife's life sometimes gets a little borin'
She'd rather be on the trail
Kickin' up dust as sun rises each mornin'
Listen to 4-wheel drive wail

Tattered piece of wood with rusty old square nail
May not seem like very much
Takin' good look at the grain and check the scale
Find a story in each touch

I'm just a housewife sittin' at my keyboard
Wish away the winter day
Lookin' up stories, hopin' I can record
Before they get lost and fray

Cecile Vargo

ccvargo@yahoo.co

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.    Readers Feedback

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 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, Marilyn Sink, Victor Buhagiar, Clarice Hinson, Conrad