STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

July 28, 2005 

Congratulations goes out to our wonderful writer, Debra Shiveley and Jan Verhoeff who have now become our newest senior writers.

Now on to the good stuff..........

Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~

Singing vs Seeing

Mary B. Heist

Have you ever heard the song/hymn: Firm As The Mountains Around Us?

When I got off the plane in Utah, I got my first glimpse of the mountains
and was awed!  What a beautiful sight.  I've driven through the mountains
from Pennsylvania to get to Connecticut and Massachusetts to visit my
children, but these mountains were something else.  The tops were covered
with snow and although we were a little chilly, it sure didn't feel like
snow weather!

My oldest son and daughter-in-law gave me this trip as a Christmas gift -
an all expenses paid trip to Salt Lake City, Utah!  I've been a member of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for almost 40 years now
and this was my first visit to Salt Lake City.  This was my first sight
of these magnificent mountains.

The first thing I noticed about Utah, after the mountains, was how dry
the air is.  My DIL (Daughter-in-law) and I were both parched and
looking for a drink immediately upon landing.  "Water, water, my kingdom
for some water!"  We bought and drank more water during that one week in
Utah than I thought was possible!  The swimming pool was even dried up!
(Closed for repairs) I REALLY wanted to dive in. 

Monday before we went sightseeing, we stopped at the guest store at the
Red Lion Hotel (where we stayed) to buy umbrellas.  One didn't open, one
opened but wouldn't close, another was off track, and finally one seemed
to work just fine.  Lisa got that one.  I tried a couple and finally got
one that seemed to be workable, too.  I thought they all should have
worked for ten dollars each.  Off we went under cloudy skies.  Coming out
of the Church Conference Center, Lisa opened her umbrella and I pushed
the button on mine and not only did it swoosh open, but it swooshed
across the sidewalk! I ran after it while Lisa and her sister Cathy
stared in surprise and laughed.  Holding the top of the umbrella down
with my foot, I looked at the handle and stick in my hand and just shook
my head.  My DIL took the stick and I picked up the top and held it like
a hat over my head.  We couldn't close it, so in the trunk it went.
"What's wrong with THIS picture?"

Now, I live by myself and sometimes go for days without talking to
anyone.  Lisa, who lives with my son and my grandson, likes to talk.  In
fact, she yaps, yap, yaps constantly.  That night as I lay in bed trying
to sleep, Lisa propped herself up in her bed, yapping away about
everything and anything that came into her mind.  It wasn't until the
next day when we were writing letters to her daughter Erin and I drew a
cartoon of the night before that Lisa got an inkling of what was going
through my mind.  Well, you might have thought that my saying, "Ok, Lisa,
it's quiet time now," might have given her the idea but noooooo, she's a
hard one to convince. 

"Am I talking too much?"  she asked, after laughing at the cartoon.
"You, talk too much?"

We were driving down out of the mountain Tuesday morning when we
experienced a lightning storm.  Ka-boom! Ka-boom!  Ka-boom!  The whole
basin was lit up with lightning strikes.  We were told later that there
were forty strikes from that storm.  Oh, did I mention that my DIL is
afraid of lightning?

We kept loosing the hotel room key so we devised a plan to keep it safe -
the Mother-in-law safe.  Ha ha.  I kept it in my pocket with the rest of
the stuff I lugged around with me.  I don't like to carry a purse when
I'm out and about because it's easy to lose or have stolen, so I put
money and driver's license and hotel room keys in my jeans pocket.   That
worked for the whole week.

Two women alone in Salt Lake City, Utah for a whole week.  We laughed, we
giggled, we cried, we gasped, we shopped, and we were in awe of the
beauty around us.  We visited seven temples in four days and were
peacefully exhausted.  We felt the Spirit of the Lord and we enjoyed the
spirit each of us carried.  It was a marvelous week, one I won't forget
for awhile.

One of the last things we saw was a huge, magnificent double rainbow.
We saw rain, clouds, sleet, snow, blue skies, and that wonderful double
rainbow. 

And one of the last things we did was go to a mall where my DIL bought us
each a pair of earrings to commemorate our trip to Utah.  They are the same
stone but are different settings, befitting our age differences. 

Saturday morning as I stood on the balcony of our hotel room and looked
at the mountains for the last time the words of the song came ringing
through my mind again:  Firm as the mountains around us, stalwart and
strong they stand. . . .  They certainly are firm, stalwart and strong!
And beautiful and awe inspiring.  I saw them and I was up in them!
Amazing.  I'll never sing those words the same way again.

Mary B. Heist

marybheist @juno.com

I am Mary B Heist, a daughter of heavenly parents who want me to reach
my highest potential.
I am Mom to seven children, mom-in-law to five; grandmom to eleven and
great-grand-mom to one.
I am ex-wife to three, the first of whom reached into my chest, tore out
my heart and squeezed the life from it.  It hurt so badly I died.
I am.

~**~**~ 

The Last Oreo Cookie

Jan Verhoeff

Quibbling over who gets the last Oreo is a weekly event.  It started out as a joke.  "I get the last one." Comes the plea from a small voice choked with a mouth full of Oreos and milk. 

The tray has three rows of Oreos, and I have four children.  I often roll my eyes over the beginning process of this discovery, but eventually it became less of a problem and more of an understanding.  The kids like Oreos and milk.  I love the conversations we have when we are sitting around the table dunking Oreos with chocolate cookie smeared across our faces and milk mustaches.

There were times when the Oreos were meticulously counted out, with each child getting an equal number of Oreos, I got the odd numbers -- and because they all felt sorry that I had only three, I always got four more, one from each child.  Whether this was a gift, a penance, or punishment -- by way of the work I would have to do to work them off my hips where they naturally applied themselves, I have never been certain. 

Along the way we stopped counting, and setting aside equal numbers at some point, and "the last one" suddenly became important.  After a while, I started watching the process and my youngest, who has a definite attachment for Oreos always seemed to be the one saying "I get the last one."  I wondered if he might be getting cheated, you know, the oldest can handle more in their hand with the first grab and all of that, so I started passively counting.  Nope, youngest son not only grabs a handful, but he's the one with his hand in the bag most frequently, and most often ends up with the most cookies.  After a couple weeks of this phenomenon I pointed out to him that he's already had more cookies than the other kids.  He looked up with big brown eyes and said, "Mom, I don't want more cookies, I just want the last cookie." 

I asked him, "Why?" 

And he said, "Because I'm the last kid, so I get the last cookie."  

Being an adult, I was still stumbling over the concept, so I ask, "Why does the last one matter so much."

He said, "Mom, you know how you hugs us all and send us to bed?  (and I nodded) Well, if I'm the last one you hug, you hold me longer.  When I'm the last one to get in the car, you stop and look at me.  If I get the last cookie it's just more specialer.  It's like being the last one to win the race. Every one is waiting on you."

Suddenly I understood.  The first cookie out of the bag gets the awes, because it's like "new", the rest of the cookies are really just cookies.  But the last one gets savored.

They all have the same value.  Nothing is diminished by which one is eaten first, or in the middle or last. 

In our foolishness we often try to come in first, because we want the "awe moments" in life.  But with understanding comes the ability to know that it's okay to be last, so we can savor the moment

Jan

http://www.prepaidlegal.com/go/janverhoeff

Visit my weblogs at http://writeurthoughts.blogspot.com and http://coffeeclatter.blogspot.com

Make it a happy day - Blessings.

~**~**~ 

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON RETURNING

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

     I have a gift that I just can't seem to give away. Every time I try to give it to someone I get it returned. I gave it to my Dad the other day and he went and gave it right back. I tried to give it to both my sons and daughter this morning, but they wouldn't keep it either. They gave it back to me almost immediately. I tried to pass it on to a few friends that I saw when I took my children to school, but they refused to accept it and passed it back to me again. Later on I saw my neighbor and offered it to her. She gave it back even quicker than everyone else. Finally I even decided to try and give it to all the strangers I passed on the street and in the stores. A few of them looked like they might take it without passing it back to me, but in the end every single person returned it.

     I looked at it in the mirror this afternoon wondering what was wrong with it and why no one would keep it. It seemed like such a beautiful, wonderful, joyous, and God given gift. In the end I guessed that a gift this good couldn't be hoarded and had to keep traveling on from heart to heart and soul to soul. It was no wonder then that I kept getting my smile returned every time I tried to give it away.

     I hope that all of you give your smile away today. Don't be surprised , however, if you find it returned back to you again and again. A gift of such beauty, joy, peace, love, and delight is a gift from God and it travels back and forth connecting hearts, souls, minds, and lives. It is a simple gift that takes so little effort and yet brings such goodness to this world. Its value is beyond compare. It enriches the lives of those who receive it and also the lives of those who give it away. It is the gift that keeps on returning and the gift that blesses us all our lives long.

Joseph J. Mazzella
joecool @ wirefire.com

Joe lives in West Virginia with his wife

and three children. Various dogs and cats

have adopted Joe and his family for their

own. Joe enjoys his family, beauty, love

and hearing from his email friends. Joe

likes to take the time to smell the

roses and enjoy the beauty around him

as he goes about his daily life.

~**~**~ 

Poetry Section

~**~**~

The Snake Skin

Debra Shiveley

I remember, once when I was a little girl,

I found a snake skin.

complete, except for the head,

for it had moved on with the snake.

The skin was crisp and crackly,

and I was afraid of breaking it because it was so pretty:

each scale was like a separate jewel,

shining in the sun.

I remember how amazed I was,

that a creature could leave a skin behind

and wondered if this meant

that he was a new snake altogether...

D. E. Shiveley Copyright 1978

~**~**~

The Dove

Debra Shiveley

A dove flew past my window sill,

And in her pointed beak,

Limp and brown, already dead,

Lay a crumpled leaf.

Upon her snowy feathers,

A drop of read there lay,

Yet it couldn't mar her beauty,

Shining there that day.

The red was blood,

Fallen from my eyes;

Tears couldn't express the pain.

The withered leaf was my battered soul,

Burned, then drenched with rain.

She stood there looking up at me,

Her eyes begging for me to see,

What the reality of her was,

And not what I thought her to be.

Her eyes were full of long-held tears;

She trembled in my hand.

She bowed her head and silently cried.

As I fought to understand.

My heart cried out for this white specter,

An omen of beauty and pain.

I found she was not of this world;

Her loveliness was feigned.

So, my heart was then released,

Never to be prisoner again.

I then thanked her for her parody of truth,

And returned her to the wind.

D. E. Shiveley Copyright 1978

~**~**~

My Blessing
Debra Shiveley

Torn papers everywhere,
Soap flakes on the floor,
Here a toy - there a toy -
Pots and pans galore.

Sticky, dirty finger marks;
Potatoes in his hair;
(Sweep the kitchen once again -
Grab him from the stair.)

Talcum powder in the sink,
Crackers on the rug,
Hurry, hurry, rescue him
Before he eats that bug!

At least a dozen times a day
I pick up, clean and yell,
And search for the "joys of motherhood"
Of which the poets tell.

And then he comes up with a grin
And climbs upon my knee...
"Blessed am I, Lord," I think,
As I hold him close to me.

Reva McDaniel

Copyright D. E. Shiveley 2001

D. E. Shiveley
Merribuck @merribuck.com

About Me:

Hello, my name is Debra Welch.  I'm 52 and the very proud mother of a soon-to-be 13 year old son named Christopher.

Christopher is adopted, so I have some writings on the subject, and he was born with a moderately severe unilateral clefting of the lip, gums and hard and soft palates.  He is beautiful!  Chris also has learning differences: ADD, Dysgraphia, and Executive Function and Working Memory Deficit.  He is the joy of our lives.

I have been writing since age nine.  My father came to visit and plopped down a pad of paper and a pencil.  "Write me a poem," he said "and call it 'Poetry Problems.'"  This is when I learned that my father and great grandfather both wrote poetry.  I was being tested.

I have just finished co-authoring a novel with my cousin titled "Jesus Gandhi Jetta Mae Adams," a murder mystery set in Columbus, Ohio and am starting my second novel.

~**~**~

Writers Feedback

My congratulations to Debra and Jan! Both of these ladies are wonderful writers and I enjoy reading everything they have written!

Dianna

WOW! These are some really inspirational stories lately.
I'm just catching up. Been really busy.
The pets stories and those of old folks back when
people really cared always make me feel good.
And I too watch clouds from time to time. I saw a dog
looking at me the other day and wondered if it was one
from my past.
Thanks
Mark Crider

Dear Carol, You and your family are welcomed in my home anytime you want
to come to Florida. 

There is one God who has one SON who died for everyone's sins. 

Tallahassee is a multi cultural town.  Folks are from all over the
world.

When I grew up in the Mississippi Delta, I worked in the cotton fields
with the black people.  We were all there working for a living ---all of
us  lived in povety.  My parents never showed any difference in any race
of people.  I have friends of different faiths and races. 

I don't like idiots or biggots.      Enough said.

"It's all in the D.N.A., or is it?"  This is very interesting Carol, even in 2005 to think that this issue exists when the emphasis is so much on multiculturalism.  Do you remember the movie "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" which dealt with the issue of black marrying white.  Wonderful movie with Tracy and Hepburn - very moving.   Australia too is prone to racism.  I am sure it will make your son the greater person to have had to bear this unecessary suffering.        Gabrielle.

Joseph Walker - "Dr. Shoni - Why not? - A very encouraging story for people wanting to further their studies.  I know people who have transformed their lives by taking Dr. Shoni's attitude.  They have gained confidence and found out their own true worth.   Great article!  Thanks, Gabrielle Morgan.

Carol,

   Thank you my friend for reminding us all that we haven't eliminated racial discrimination in this world.  Perhaps with enough

beautiful souls like you out there writing and living as you do, we

will one day look at each other and not see black, white,  yellow,

or red skin, but only fellow Children of the same loving God.

Keep up the great work.  Wishing you every joy, Joe

 About 3 weeks back I made a little trip to see Kathy,
while she was in Kansas. Got to meet her puppies.
Shiloh and Hank. It is a shame to think a dog or any
animal for that matter goes blind. It may seem strange
to non animal lovers. But I noticed this with Tink and
Poo. I think it is and will be the case here also.
The one knows the other has a problem, and will look
out for it's friend.

Bill

Thank you for all these nice stories.......I really enjoy reading them,even tho I don't reply all the time....

Joyce 

Prayer Requests and Updates

I have come to you all on many occasions for prayer.  You have prayed
for these requests.  I thank you from the depths of my heart. 
My sister Lois, who lives in Maine, had a heart attack on Monday.  She
has two blockages.  One is 85% and the other one is 95% blocked.  She
will have some kind of surgery---not known at this time. 
There are no family members near her. 

Thank all of you for praying for my family in the death on my oldest
brother in June.
God answered prayer on our trip there and back.. HE is so awesome. 

I have asked prayer for my son George. 
He lived with me for 5 months. He is back in Alabama.  I have not heard
from him since he left.  He is a cocaine addict.  Please keep him in
your prayers.

If you ever need prayer please allow me to have the honor of praying for
you.

Thank you again

GOD is love.  Jesus loves you and so do I. 
Tennie

SENIOR WRITERS

Chief Writer: Sharon Bryant

Agee, Vance;  Apted, Violet;  Baker, Kathy;  Batt, Al;  Berry, Nell;

Boda, Ginger;   Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.;  Crider, Mark; 

Deming, Barb; Goodier, Steve;  Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlette; 

Jacobson, Gary;  Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Jenkins, Pamela;

Liles, Norma;  Mazzella, Joe; Ojeigbe, Georgewaters;

  Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan;  Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan

Walker, Bill;  Walker, Joe; Warner, Gorden K;

Whirity, Kathy;  White, Robert;

STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF

Publisher: Carol Roach-founder

Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder

Moderator: Clara Westerfer

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