STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Sept 5, 2005? 

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

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

? The original story The Dance Class Appeared in Storytime Tapestry as a Special Treat on June 4, 2005.?  Review archives if you would like to look it up.

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"If You can, I can!"

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Norma Liles

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I just finished reading the article by Sharlett Hunt in our Storytime_Tapestry's daily newsletter which she called: 'The Dance Class.'

This story put me to? thinking about a period in my life when I was still in the work force.? 

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At this time, I worked in the head office for a chain of drug stores; having been taught to use their posting machines.? 

There were three of we gals who did this area of the office work and when the company decided to go to a more up-to-date computerized situation, I was selected to go to school to learn to operate an IBM keyboard which we referred to as keypunch.?  This did not put me in good favor with my co-workers but at this time, my salary was very much needed by my family.

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I was very apprehensive about this new teaching tool and just felt that I could not make the grade to the point that at lunch time, I tried each day to contact my supervisor to let him know that I would like to be excused from this appointment.

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It must have been in my best interest fpr me not to reach my superior because eventually, I caught on and loved working with ? this new creation.

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In time to come, the company that I worked for did not support this new way of doing things but I had found new employment with another company.? ?  In this new job, I found more opportunities to further my speed and accuracy and when this company was going to move to another state, I was able to find another stable workplace.

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In this new workplace, I thrived to the point that I was eventually, made assistant supervisor with the end result that I became the supervisor over eight girls; six daytime employees and two evening shift employees.

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After thirty-five years of continual employment; twenty-seven of them being with the latest company, I retired with a feeling of satisfaction of a job well done.

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As with Sharlett, I persisted until I reached my goal of mastering a skill that I thought was not to be.

Thank you, Sharlett, for reminding me of another section of my life: "If you can, I can."

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NormaLee Liles?  ?©

6=4=05

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hoopla214@yahoo.com

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About Me:

Norma Liles is a retired data entryclerk/supervisor who lives in Ohio. Her hobbies
are: writing poetry and stories, reading,
her family, living for Jesus and
her use of her computer. Her ambition is
to add pleasure to those who read her
writings as well as sharing her faith.

My writings have been published on Starfish,
Driftwood, Sandollar, Morning Spirit Lift,
www.poetry.com, PrayerofGod, Jan Karon's
newsletter, American Poetry Writer's league,
Lucy's Inspiration, Faithful Hope reading room,
Poetry of Today publishing, Hope in Him,
Bonnie's Place, America will remember and
News Moose. Finally senior writer for
Storytime Tapestry.

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~**~**~? 

Nature's Stained Glass Windows

Margo Fallis

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Miss Barton and her Kindergarten class stood in a meadow of wildflowers. ???Class, I want each of you to go and find something colorful. You can pick any flower you want, or you can look for something else. When you hear me blow the whistle, bring whatever you've found with you and come back right here to this spot. I'll be waiting for you.???

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Twenty excited children ran off in all directions. Giggles, chortles and chuckles echoed through the tall bramble hedges.

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Several of the children picked the first flower they saw and returned to their teacher.

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???Sit down and wait. Find a soft spot in the grass.??? Miss Barton's gaze went from one child to the other, quickly examining their finds. Ten minutes later all but two of the children returned. She blew the whistle.?  ???Who's still missing????

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The class looked at each other. Alexander raised his hand. ???Nicholas and Jessie aren't here yet.???

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Sebastian raised his hand. ???Miss Barton! I saw Nicholas chasing a bluebird.???

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???Has anyone seen Jessie????

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The children shook their heads back and forth.

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She blew the whistle again. A few moments later Nicholas came running out from?  a patch of shimmering aspen trees. He held a tiny bird in his hand.

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???While we're waiting for Jessie, why don't you take turns coming up and showing the rest of the class what you found. Nicholas, since you're already standing, please tell us what you've got in your hand.??? Miss Barton urged the boy closer.

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He opened his hands enough for the bird to poke its blue head out. ???I found this bluebird. I can't open my hand all the way or it will fly off.???

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???It's very exquisite. Class, do you see the shade of blue????

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???It looks like he's holding the ocean in his hand,??? Gilian shouted.

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???I think it looks like a Smurf!??? The entire class laughed when Andrew spoke.

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???Why don't you open your hand and let the bird go. It's not good for it to be trapped for long.??? Miss Barton watched as Nicholas freed the bird. ???Who wants to be next.???

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While the class showed each other different flowers in shades of pink, mauve, orange, lavender and ochre, Miss Barton scanned the meadow for signs of Jessie. A wave of relief flowed through her when she saw the chestnut haired girl running towards the group.

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Jessie sat down next to the others, her hands cupped.

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After the last of the children had shown their flower petals, Miss Barton invited Jessie up. ???I think Jessie has something special in her hands. See how she holds them cupped together. Jessie, what have you go in there????

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When she opened her fingers a gossamer winged butterfly fluttered around her face. Its multi-colored wings flapped up and down. When it landed on top of Jessie's head, once again the class roared with laughter.

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???Jessie,??? Miss Barton said, ???why did you pick this butterfly. Tell us about it.???

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Jessie held out the palm of her hand and the insect landed, open winged. ???My grandma used to have a butterfly garden. Every year she planted purple cornflowers, black-eyed Susan, goldenrod and sunflowers. She and I used to sit outside under the weeping willow tree and watch butterflies.???

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???That's wonderful, Jessie. I'm sure you saw a lot of different types. Do you still go to visit your grandma???? Miss Barton squatted next to the girl.

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A lip turned up in a quiver. Fighting tears, Jessie answered, ???My grandma died this summer. She was lying in her flower garden, next to the roses. My mom said that a butterfly fluttered around my grandma's head, like it was sad that she died.???

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Miss Barton breathed deeply, trying to gather her composure. ???Why Jessie, that's amazing.???

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???My grandma used to tell me that butterfly wings are nature's stained glass window. One time she took me to the cathedral and showed me a real stained glass window. She was right. Today I looked all over the meadow and I found some wild roses. This butterfly flew over to me. I think it knew my grandma.???

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A tear trickled down Miss Barton's cheek. She stood and took Jessie's hand. ???Look class. Jessie's brought us a special butterfly. Its wings are iridescent. That means that you can see a different color standing over there, than I can see from where I stand. Come and see.???

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The class stood and moved closer, gathering in a circle around Jessie and Miss Barton. The butterfly fluttered from one child's hand to another and then flew away, leaving the meadow behind.

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???Goodbye. Tell Grandma that I miss her.??? Jessie called the butterfly and waved.

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On the drive back to school Miss Barton couldn't say a word. The entire bus was unusually quite.

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When the passed the Norman church on the corner, Alexander blurted out, ???There's a stained glass window and it looks just like the butterfly wings.???

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Soon all the children on the bus plastered their faces against the dirty windows, hoping for a glance at the church.

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When it was time to go home, Miss Barton watched Jessie leave. A smile spread across the little girl's face. Somehow the appearance of one butterfly had changed the lives of every person in the meadow that day, especially hers.

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Margo Fallis
margofallis @ yahoo. net

Margo Fallis, born in Scotland, spends a
lot of her time traveling. Most of her
stories come from experiences she's
encountered during a journey somewhere.
Margo started writing at age 10, when she
wrote a play for her 5th grade class inCalifornia. Writing for children is her
number one love, but she also loves to
write short stories and is working on three
novels. Margo is the mother of five
children, seven grandchildren, and is
married to Thom, the love of her life.
They live in Atlanta, Georgia.

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~ Patriotism and God ~

Joyce C. Lock
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? ? ? ?  When I hear our National Anthem, it still brings tears to my eyes.?  It was not that long ago that I spoke to an elder in regard to the lack of patriotism among our youth.?  His response was that every generation expresses such concerns.?  But, something always happens to change it.?  September 11th might have been just the horror to awaken patriotism in the hearts of this generation.

? ? ?  Patriotism is a good thing, to recognize that each of us is part of a bigger community (a people we cherish, honor, and love); valuing life, freedom of religion, pursuit of happiness ??¦ things that reach the depths of our soul (treasures money, power, and greed can not buy or fabricate).

? ? ?  God is not against any of these.?  Though, we cannot hide our heads in the sand; letting people think patriotism, alone, will solve all that ails us as a nation.

? ? ?  Flying our country's flag is representative of our values; a visible show of patriotism, emotional support for those we love, an expression of our unity, honoring our dearly departed, etc.?  But, doing so brings no power to change our future.?  If we truly believed in God's provision for healing our land, we would come near flying the Christian flag; to encourage all to give God back His throne, within our hearts and lives (which is all He really wants, anyway).

? ? ?  While we open our heart and door to opportunities to make a difference, there is only one real solution to fixing the world's problems.?  As long as we allow people to think there is another way, our efforts are like striving against the wind.

God gave His terms for doing what is otherwise impossible ...

"If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

2 Ch. 7:14

? ? ?  Changing the world begins by, first, changing ourselves.?  Only then do we have God's promise that He will heal our land, other's land, and the world.?  The lost are not to blame.?  To continue to ignore that, to not face the truth of the condition of the world, to not hold ourselves personally accountable for our part ... times will only get worse.

? ? ?  God can not continue to bless America when we do not follow His leading.?  Scripture does not even grant us the right to claim the name 'Christian' except we are, first, His disciple (Acts 11:26).?  God does not ask us to be perfect or even good enough.?  In fact, His requirements are really very simple.
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"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
and what doth the Lord require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Micah 6:8


Whatever flag you are waving, make sure God is given first place.
You have been given the power to change your world.
It is up to you what you do with it.


?© by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

Poetry Section

~**~**~

KATRINA

Norma Liles

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Through the ravages of pain and suffering

Our hearts are aching with the torment

Knowing it is our brothers and sisters

Who are dealing with a mighty force of nature.

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It is within my heart a need to pray

For those less fortunate than I

Praying that this terrible force

Will not dampen their love for life.

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Mine eyes have seen the devastation

Of those homes who have been dashed

Moving from homes they knew so well

To shelters for an unknown time.

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Citizens of U.S.A., and all over this world

Please pray for this onslaught of nature

Knowing this could you, could be me

Who is facing "What lies in our tomorrows?"

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Take a look at those all around you

Let them know how precious they are

Stand loyal and true to our fellow man

Letting him know that we care for them!

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Norma Liles

Prayers from the heart

8-31-05

NormaLee Liles ?©

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hoopla214@yahoo.com

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? SENIOR WRITERS

Chief Writer: Sharon Bryant

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

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

Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria; Goodier, Steve;?  Halley, Ellie Braun;

Harris, Kathy Anne;? Hunt, Sharlette;? 

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

Liles, Norma;?  Mazzella, Lock, Joyce: 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;