? 

~**~**~? 

That Dreaded Day

Sharlette Hunt

?  It is quickly approaching the day that I go see my gynecologist, a nice young man who is only looking out for my best interests.?  Only women can appreciate this dreaded doctor visit when any sense of womanly honor seems to fly right out the window.

?  Being the Tampa Veteran's Hospital and a long distance from me, I also have a mammogram scheduled?  for the same day.?  This will be done first and is very important.?  Even men must endure this humiliation, I am told, as breast cancer is not a respecter of gender.?  The term, "under glass" takes on a whole new meaning.?  I am so happy my old friend, Sharon, from God bless Virginia has been the only person who has ever performed this on me.?  As we both continue to get a little older, it is a good time to catch up on old times , while being subjected to this embarrassment.?  But she assures me that she has seen them before and they were 'MAGNIFICENT".? ?  Age and gravity changes things but as many times as I have stepped up to the machine and placed my appendages between two pieces of glass,?  and wait while she X-rays, I feel so insignificant.? 

?  And then I think of those that don't have this type of care and it saddens me.?  Do you really think that when I was eighteen I was capable of thinking that I would have health care and so many don't in this United States??  I am well taken care of by Uncle Sam but I did a job.

?  I was an eighteen year old girl , actually orphan, in the sixties.?  I had been looking for a place to belong and Viet Nam was raging so I made a decision.?  I was alone and wondered what I was going to do with my life.?  I went to Indianapolis, Indiana and was inducted into the Army.?  Best decision I ever made.?  I wanted photography and journalism, but I was offered data processing.?  It was another of God's little blessings.?  I became a putor programmer on some of the first IBM machines made available to the public.?  I had and still probably have ? a secret security clearance and was accessed to many documents during that time.?  I still enjoy photography and explaining events.? 

?  I did a job and had no idea the impact it would have on my life today.?  Many in my family have a problem receiving health care and thank God, I don't.?  I have many specialists and associates involved in any health concern I might have.?  This is just another of God's little blessings.?  I ran out of fingers and toes to count.

?  Things have changed a lot since I was a soldier.?  Ladies are now on the front lines.?  I could not have accepted that, I'd have to stop and put on my lip gloss and probably get shot.?  Although the pride I felt when selected for flag detail in basic training will never elude me.?  There were hundreds and I was one who was selected to go in the dawn and raise the flag and fold it.?  There were five, I think out of hundreds.?  It was a morning I shall never forget.?  To keep us all free.?  That has been and will continue too be my objective.

?  As I sit here and dread this? GYN exam knowing I will lose my dignity,?  I reminisce,?  The new chairs go up on the air like a carnival ride.?  Naked as a jaybird.? ? Like a carnival ride, legs up in the air..?  ? 

Sharlette863 @aol.com


About Me:

I was born in Alabama, the middle of
seven children. At about age four we moved
to Central Florida and I have lived here
most of my life. I am a Viet Nam Era
Veteran. I have always enjoyed writing
and as I get older it seems to come more
naturally to me. I believe
everyone has many stories inside them and
some are blessed to be able to share them.

~**~**~? 

? 

? 

Poetry Section

~**~**~

I Saw It

Gwen Tweedy

When I? woke up this morning
and tumbled from my bed I saw it!
When I poured my morning coffee I saw it!
When I got ready to face the day, I saw it!
When I scrambled out to the van for another work day, I saw it!
When?  I scurried into the work place I saw it!
As I did my assigned calling for the day, I saw it!
When I came home and sat with others in another van, I saw it!
When I frantically looked? forward to

what? my letters on line would be I?  saw it!
When I checked to see how my family was, I saw it!
All through my dinner
and afterward praying and ministering to God's children, I saw it!
When I finally called it a night
because my eyes were heavy with fatigue?  of the day, I saw it.
So I needed right away to tell you the news, that I?  saw it!
The mirror image of what God sees through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ
living and breathing through me.
And I liked myself!
Yes even loved myself,
And now finally at long last,
I Can Love You!

In Loving prayer for someone special *YOU*
Gwen Tweedy

gtweedy2@cox.net
*SMILE* God Cares And So Do I!

~**~**~

AMAZING:

Gwen Tweedy:

How did you hang the world in space?
How did you put the galaxies in place?
What's so amazing is that you made me,
but even?  more a miracle is that you saved me.
How did you fashion the winds and? rains?
How did you mix the mountains and plains?
How did you make the? animals of the earth,
There is no way to measure your worth.
Why did you die upon that rugged old tree,
what's more? Why did you rise again for me?
I'm so thankful you let this story be told,
for what you did is more precious than silver and gold!
So if anyone asks me why I'm not the same
I'll gladly tell the story of why you?  came,
That way none will be lost and go to hell,
and we can all go together with you to dwell.
My name is Gwen Tweedy.

I reside in mid America? Wichita, Kansas to be exact.

I grew up as a pastor's daughter

and I am 52 years of age.

I have one grown daughter Melissa.

She has Cystic Fibrosis and Diabetes

so each new day with her family is measured as priceless.

She is now 25 years old.

My husband's name is Bob

and because of some disabling factors is at home.

I presently work at? Envision a shop for? blind of which I am one,

and visually impaired as a power sewing machine operator.

I enjoy writing encouraging letters from the president on down

and have many I talk, pray for and help as Jesus gives me words and strength.

I enjoy reading and I play piano for my Sunday school class at the Immanuel Baptist church here in the city.

My Email address is:

gtweedy2@cox.net

Praying Always With Love,
? Hug Truck,
----- Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps
today of its strength

~**~**~

Wildflower

Cheri Carlson

If I could choose a flower
which one would I be?
I'd be a simple daisy
growing wild and growing free.

I wouldn't be an indoor plant
In a pot of special dirt.
I couldn't be a hybrid flower
that takes all kinds of work.

I wouldn't be a fancy rose,
with thorns to pierce your skin.
I'd be a tall proud daisy
dancing in the wind.

By day I'd stand beside the road
and wave at passing cars.
By night I'd bathe in moonbeams
and wink back at twinkling stars.

If I met a hungry animal,
I could be a tasty snack.
Nibbled on by a spotted fawn,
then promptly grow right back.

I'd be used at simple weddings
weaved in a maiden's hair.
In a bouquet of flowers,
I'd be longest lasting there.

No fancy names or colors
No exotic scent for me
Just a plain and simple daisy
Growing wild and growing free.

? 

Cheri' C. Carlson

One_Unicorn26201 @yahoo.com

I'm a 40 year old mother of 13 who despite trials and tears, has found much in life to laugh and love about. I discovered on the internet, an outlet for many thoughts and feelings that the outside world looked down their noses at. There I found acceptance and love.

In sharing my stories about my kids, views on the world, personal experiences and poetry, I also found numerous others who felt like I did. Too unique to be normal. Not comfortable with the way people hid their beautiful selves because of what others might think, I wrote a series of "Love Yourself " articles beginning with "Dare to Be Different".

I have to date written over 100 poems, essays and recently, children's stories, all floating around on the internet. I hope to some day be published.

My husband of 13 months and I live with our 5 kids left at home, here in central Indiana. We dream of going back to my home of West Virginia when the timing is right

http://oneunicorn.250free.com/Poetry/Wildflowers.html

~**~**~

? 

? 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

? 

? 

Send all inquires about the newsletter including submission requirements:

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

?