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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? STORYTIME TAPESTRY ? March 5, 2005 ? Here is the move you have all been waiting for.? We're here at last, and hoping Zinester will remain our home.? Come in, sit down, take your shoes off and make yourself comfortable.? The stories are just about to begin! ? Shiloh and Hank's Animal Awareness Series ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We welcome Lynne Massie as writer #185 to Storytime Tapestry. You will
find the story of Crissy truly incredible. You can also view this miracle cat's
picture ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Animal awareness series endorsed by Shiloh and Hank our mascots; all stories must receive their approval. ?
And now on to the good stuff..........
?
CRISPY CRITTER
by Lynne Massie ? It was a warm July day when my daughter and I saw a cloud of? black smoke near our local hardware store. We quickly drove over to watch news being made as the store was? overtaken by fire. No sooner did we arrive then a puff of smoke came running out of the building into the hands of a paramedic. Realizing it was a kitten, I followed them to the ambulance where it was dunked into a bucket of saline. ?
"If it doesn't belong to anyone, I'll take it." ?
Relieved, the paramedic handed me a black, wet, glob of burned? mess. The only thing recognizable was a pair of eyes pleading for? relief. It couldn't even mew. ?
We dashed to the nearest vet, praying the kitten would live? until we arrived.? "Please hold on," we pleaded. ?
The black eyes stared at me without a sound. The vet took one look and said,? "This cat is so badly burned his lungs are probably seared and his skin will turn to leather and fall off. You need to put him to sleep." ?
"What? You haven't even tried to save him. I'm a cancer? survivor who has proven you can beat the odds. I can't just put him? to sleep. This cat may die, but it won't be for lack of trying.? Thank you for your time." ?
We dashed to another vet who gave the same line. On to a third,? who said what we wanted to hear. "I think this kitten may have a chance." ?
We then broke the news that we could not afford much in the way of treatment, especially for a stray. Fortunately, by then, she was attached to the little thing and agreed to free treatment if we would pay for the medications. "If he is still alive tomorrow and his lungs have not filled? with fluid, we will give it a go," she said. ?
?
"That's a deal!"
?
"What's his name?" she asked. ?
"His name? Hmmm. I think we'll call him Crispy Critter." ? ?
Thus began a 24-hour ordeal
of treatments and sleeping with him? on
the couch -- cuddling, petting, nurturing, and treating his severe burns. He made it through the first 24 hours and over the next several days much of his skin died. Pieces began to fall off -- first the tops of his ears, then a toe, then half his tail, then another portion of his foot. It was gruesome and we began to wonder if we had made a mistake. ?
But, as we sat cuddling him looking into those black eyes, we knew we had to keep trying. Soon we were rewarded with some quiet meows. Over the next four months, while we continued to peel away dead? skin and treat the burns. Smoke inhalation left him with an? asthma-like wheeze and an intestinal tract that had little? peristaltic movement - - meaning he could not move his bowels. Discouraged, we finally had to admit that giving enemas to a cat? everyday was not something we could continue. So with a heavy heart,? we took him to the vets ready to give up. ?
?
As we walked in, a relief vet
happened to be passing through? town.
When he saw the scraggly-looking Crispy, he exclaimed, "What happened to that cat?" ?
After telling him the story, he said, "I read of a new surgery? that might solve the intestinal problem. I was hoping to have an opportunity to try it and will do it for free. But you need to know he may not survive". ?
With tears running down our checks, we kissed and cuddled? Crispy, as we said our goodbye. ?
?
The next day we got the call
from the vet. "Crispy is alive! He is
ready to go home. What a courageous? cat he is. Only time will tell if he has turned the corner." ?
With both elation and tears, we rushed to the vets to bring him home. That was three years ago. Today, Crispy, the Courageous Kitten, struts around on his toe-less feet with his half tail held high. His face is scarred, he has only half of his ears and he OWNS the house. He rules over three big dogs, three other cats, and one bird. Not a day goes by that I don't look at him and remember that no? matter how difficult the challenge appears, we should never give up? without a fight. ?
When we dedicate our whole self to a goal, miracles really do occur. ?
Lynne Massie lynne @ turningpointsuccess.com ? LYNNE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, LIVING IN OLYMPIA, WA AND THE AUTHOR OF THE MOTIVATIONAL BOOK, "I'll Be Here Tomorrow -- Transforming Tragedy into Triumph". In this book she chronicles her journey through two terminal illnesses and the parallel journey of helping her German Shepherd survive breast cancer. Most readers comment that the book is more about dropping our facades and living the life we want before it is too late, than it is about cancer. To learn more about the book,visit Lynne's website at http://www.turningpointsuccess.com , where you may order the book. OR you may order the book from http://www. amazon. com/exec/odidos/096690754X. ?
?
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Today's Queue Stories: ************************************ ?
"THEY'VE GOT A KIDNEY FOR ME, MUM!!!"
?
Violet Apted
?
My Son Steve was almost shouting into the phone, he was so
excited. My heart
missed a beat, as I realised the enormity of his statement. The phone call we have all been waiting for had finally arrived. What now? ?
"I am on my way Steve." I said replacing the receiver and
grabbing the car keys
in one movement. Then it happened! I started shaking and tears streamed down my cheeks. I knew I could not 'let go' now. Time was short. We had to get to the hospital as soon as possible. (Sooner even!) I managed to control my fears and within minutes we were heading for the hospital. ?
I could not help thinking of all the years of watching my son's
health slowly
deteriorating. The fatigue: the depression and the hopelessness of Kidney failure. ?
The dialysis that kept him alive became the monster ruling his
life. The
restrictions, that meant he could not even play his beloved guitar. How many times had he said. ?
"I can't go on, Mum."
?
How many times had the family rallied and 'been there' for him?
Helping to keep
Steve 'fighting' back. Well he did and now here it was! The phone call we had all prayed for had happened. Steve was on his way to receive the kidney transplant we had almost given up on, because of Steve's very rare blood group. ?
When we arrived at the hospital Steve was rushed away for many
more tests, a
lecture as to the side effects. The reliance on anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life. Then he was taken to the operating theatre, for a minimum of four hours. It was late evening when we made our way home. Only then did I let the floodgates open, as I sobbed for my son and for the family of the kidney donor. A life lost! A life saved! What wonderful people they are, that in the midst of their own grief they can think of saving another. God Bless them all. ?
One o'clock this morning taken to recovery. The new kidney is
functioning and I
will be visiting him as soon as they allow me to do so. All of our prayers have been answered. God speed your recovery my son! I love you ?
Violet Apted
violet77 @optusnet.com.au ************* ?
Part Two ?
"My Toenails Are Pink"
? Violet Apted ?
Steve was smiling as he lifted his foot up for me to see.
?
"My toenails are pink again mum, look." Sure enough they were.
We ended up
laughing like a couple of children. It was certain proof the new kidney was functioning well, but I laughed even more when he said, ?
"And guess what? I had a wee today and it felt so good."
?
My big adult son had not told me he had urinated for a good many
years. It was
one aspect of the kidney failure and dialysis we had never discussed. Until that moment I had not realised the full extent of the problem. Now here he was as pleased as punch that he had achieved, what we all take so much for granted. ?
The simple daily task of urinating! Healthy pink toenails and
the ability to
wee whenever he wanted to go, (and to actually want to!) Was a cause for celebration to Steve now. ?
He was looking so much better and soon after he came home from
the hospital he
was back driving his car and playing his beloved guitar. Making music and singing. I had my boy back! I will be forever grateful to the donor of Steve's new Kidney and his family. What a difference his ultimate sacrifice made to not only my Son's life, but many others also. A 'Gift of Love! A gift of life!' My prayers were answered, My son is recovering! ?
?© Copyright Violet Apted
?
Violet Apted
violet77 @optusnet.com.au ?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
?
A STRANGER NO MORE!
Violet Apted ?
The screams of the passengers were terrifying! But the horrific
silence? that
followed was something I will remember for the rest of my life. ?
There had been no warning as the plane came in to land. We had
obeyed the? seat
belt order and everyone was relieved that our long flight was almost? over. Margo Jones- the old lady sitting next to me had told me she was? visiting her Daughter, and was excited because she would see her new? Granddaughter for the first time. It is the look on her face-When the? pilot's voice came over the intercom, telling us we were in trouble- That is? etched deeply into my mind. ?
Her hands were shaking as the Stewardess told us to take
emergency landing
positions. I took her hand in mine as we braced ourselves. Then the screams- those awful heart rending screams- as the plane hit the ground and ripped apart, bursting into flames on impact. ?
The screams stopped! I could see Margo Jones was dead beside me
and I? released
her hand. Tears streamed down my face, but I knew there was nothing? I could do for her, or for anyone else. I had to get out of there, but how?? I managed to extricate myself from what was left of my seat,but a searing? pain shot down my left arm when I tried to move it. Smoke began to fill the? plane as I slowly edged my way toward the gaping hole in the side. ?
It was then that I saw him! A bearded man, wearing a long robe
reached out? to
me and lifted me up into his arms as if I were a small child. I could see? the amazing blue of his eyes as he held me close. Pain engulfed my body as? he carried me out of the burning plane. Free from danger, he laid me down on? the grass just as the plane exploded, and covered my body with his as the? flames and debris landed all around us. ?
I must have passed out then because when I opened my eyes again
he was gone.? I
could see rescue workers, Firemen, and Ambulance men everywhere. ?
The Doctor kneeling down beside me told me I was very lucky to
have been
thrown clear of the plane on impact. Refusing to believe I had been helped? out of the wreckage before the explosion. ?
In Hospital later, I was told I had a broken arm, concussion and
severe? burns.
Everyone said I was lucky to be alive, as I was the only survivor. I? tried to tell them about the stranger that had carried me to safety, but no? one believed me. Putting it down to the concussion, and trauma I had? suffered. ?
I spent weeks in Hospital wondering about the stranger that had
saved my? life,
and so many times I asked "Why me?" I decided as soon as I had? recovered I would make more enquiries about him, try to find him and thank? him. ?
The day before I was to go home I visited the Hospital Chapel to
say a? prayer
for Margo Jones and all, the other passengers who had perished in the? plane crash, and to give thanks for my own life being spared. ?
My attention was drawn to the large mural of 'The Last Supper'
on the back
wall of the Chapel. My eyes focused on the figure of Jesus Christ seated at the table. The robe! The beard! And the most amazing 'blue eyes' -Blue eyes that I knew I had seen before!- My stranger was a stranger no more... ?
?© Copyright Violet Apted
?
Violet Apted
violet77 @optusnet.com.au ?
Work: Freelance writer and Tutor U3A
Creative writing ?
I am Originally from Sussex and Kent UK. Emigrated to Australia
27yrs ago and
now live in Queensland . ?
I can write in any genre and have many stories and poems
published in Magazines.
I self published a book of my own poetry book, Titled `A POSY OF VIOLETS and a book of poetry for my pupils. I have completed my first novel a Murder abduction story and now
writing my
second. I think my favourite writing would have to be children's stories. (Pen name Violet Apted) http://www.powerup.com.au/~strummer/violet /Htmls/MainFrame1. htm ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ?
SENIOR WRITERS ? Agee,Vance,? Apted,Violet,? Baker,Kathy,? Batt,Al,? Berry,Nell, Boda,Ginger,? Bryant,Sharon,? Cassady,B.J.,? Crider,Mark,? Deming,Barb,? ? Goodier,Steve, Harris,Kathy Anne,? Hunt, Sharlette,? Jacobson, Gary,? Kiser,Roger Dean,? ? Jenkins,Pamela, Liles,Norma,? Mazzella,Joe,? Moore, Loren,? ? Ojeigbe,Georgewaters, Sims,Richard, Vaknin,Sam, Walker,Joe,? Whirity,Kathy,? White,Robert ?
STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF ? Publisher: Carol Roach-founder Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder Chief writer: Loren Moore-co founder, Co-Publisher, Moderator: Kathy Baker Moderator, Publicity Director Moderator: Clara Westerfer ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Comment Section/Prayer Requests ? Dear prayer Warriors: Please pray for Marcie, she needs our Savior's touch! ? Here is a note from Marcie:? I have a bad case of pneumonia.?
Praise the Lord I ? Thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts of support! ? Love, ? ***************************************************************** Dear Prayer Warriors: Please pray for Alaine's Daughter, Tracy Here is a note from Alaine: Well I heard from my daughter Tracy. She is the one with intestinal problems. She goes in tomorrow for surgery at the Mayo clinic. They did a Cat scan today. They have one of two of the largest cat scan machines in the world, there at the clinic.? There are only two doctors that know how to do this operation and they are both there. ? The Cat Scans found that she needs surgery right away. They will check her uterus which is enlarged too. And if a biopsy of that shows any problem, they will remove that while they are in there.? ? She will have to stay in the St. Mary's hospital in Rochester, Minnesota for 5 days. Then stay for a couple more days to make sure that she is fine. Then she will drive the two days home to Oklahoma and her children. ? She is actually relieved that they finally agreed with her, as the last 10 doctor's said that she did not need this operation, and she would just have to get used to all of the pain. ? Actually the surgeon has only done two operations of this type before. That is how rare her condition is. ? Please be praying for her tomorrow morning and through the day that she will come out fine and be healed of all of her problems.? Thank you for your prayers and postive thoughts of support!
? ************************************************* ? Dear Prayer Warriors, Please pray for Louis he needs our Savior's
touch:
? Dear Prayer Warriors, please pray for Toby, he needs our Savior's
touch!
? ? ? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feedback Section ?
That Loren is at it again, I see.
LOL
Barb Deming ? (Forbidden Food - Carol roach) Great article. Food. How
I wish I hated it?
Barb D. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? |
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