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STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Sept 15, 2005

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Today's Queue Stories
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Touching Lives

Sharon Bryant

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I looked around the house today.?  I walked into my daughter's old room.?  The posters are still on her wall.?  The "Beatles," her favorite group.?  I saw her cap and gown hanging in the closet.?  I ran my fingers down the soft satiny fabric, remembering my pride the night she graduated.?  On the dresser is her graduation photo, her smiling when she was being handed her diploma.?  Again, the pride.

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I walked into my son's old room.?  His ROTC jacket still hangs there.?  I looked at his collection of baseball caps, one with his name on it, most with the Nike emblem.?  Posters hang in his room also.?  His old radio is there, his television, his books, comics, etc.?  I pulled out?  a drawer in his desk.?  Karate books were stacked there.

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I then walked into the living room.?  There on the wall is the large portrait of my other son who didn't live long enough to graduate.?  The photos I have of him are all baby photos, and his portrait was the last photo taken at age five.?  In a little gold frame sets a poem I found many years ago.?  A mom writing to God to please take care of her little boy who was only a year younger than my son when he passed away.

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I looked around at the book shelf.?  The beautiful angels my son bought me.?  Our coca cola collection.?  Candles, and one of my favorite lamps, the carousel.?  I walked into my bedroom and looked at the glass covered cabinet that holds many memories.?  The boy doll that so resembles my little boy who died.?  The old piece of wood he painted for me for Christmas his last year here.?  Roses from my daughter's graduation, stacks of photo albums.?  I saw the little teddy bear my husband got me that is dipped in wax.?  The fragrance of roses are still lingering after all this time.?  The little seashell owl hubby bought me on our first vacation.? ? ?  The photo of my mom, the last one taken before her death in '82.?  Her and dad smiling at my sister's wedding.? 

The photo of my sister-in-law who died four years ago.?  The last photo of my one brother who died in '94.?  So many memories.?  So many things we've accumulated over the years.

What would I feel if I lost them all?

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I thought about the people in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana who have lost so much and some,? everything they had.? 

Gone are their precious mementos.?  There is nothing for them to touch and smile and remember special events, special people in their lives.?  Now they must rely on their own personal memories to carry on, to remember all the special things that have happened in their lives.?  Gone are their photos.?  Their clothes, their homes.

What would I do if that happened to me?

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I can't truthfully answer that.?  Because one thing I've learned in this lifetime is that I can imagine what someone else feels, I can think I know what their hearts are feeling, but until I'm walking in the same shoes, I can't possibly know what they are feeling.?  I think, if it were me, and my family was safe, I'd be so happy that we still were alive.?  I'd probably think, "we can start over.?  We can work hard and rebuild."

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The only thing I really know that I would do, is to keep my memories in my heart.?  For no storm, no disaster on earth can take away the memories? we store mentally.?  ? I cannot see my mom, and I know all these years have passed since her death.?  I can only imagine if she were alive, what she would look like today.?  Yet my memories are of a vivacious woman who worked hard and taught me so much.?  That, I will always carry in my heart.

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In one week, I will be in the gulf area.? ? ? We will have something for the animals who need to know someone cares about them.? ? We will have something for the children to let them know other kids in other areas are thinking of them.?  And of course, we will have things for families.

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Tomorrow I am asking area schools to help with a new project that I'm calling, "Cards for Kids."

I think it would be nice if kids write letters to other kids in the gulf area.?  And going to the gulf? with us is a ten-year-old girl who will be handing the letters out to kids.?  Her mom is? driving the second vehicle.

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We will be taking down two trucks filled with food items for the people and their animals.?  A friend is coming in to give me a hand this week and we are making up 300 lbs. of fudge that will be given to families.?  And thanks to a company in Michigan who is giving a hand and a friend of? ours there, we will have one truck loaded with toys and stuffed animals for kids.

After all, isn't that what life is all about.....touching lives?

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Sharon Bryant

1946 @bellsouth.net

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About Me:

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? I am Sharon Bryant,? 59 years old and reside in Alabama.

I lost my child in 1977 when he was five and I write
articles on bereavement often.

I am a chocolate/candy maker and also a wood crafter and knitter.

I am married to a wonderful man, and have two remaining children, a daughter 25,
Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 22.

My main goal in life is to help those who
have lost a child. My website is: www.angelsremembered.tk

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~**~**~? 

? LOVING DESIGN

By: Joseph J. Mazzella

? ? ? ?  My children and I decided to take our Saint Bernard, Buddy for a walk around the local lake today. This led to a relaxed pace since Buddy needed to stop often to take in all the smells left? by the other dogs. I was glad for the slowness of the walk too, because it allowed me to enjoy all the more the beauty of the lake in Summer. Fields of Daises, Red Clover, Buttercups, and Dandelions surrounded the walkway and filled the air with smells sweeter than any perfume.?  Even the thick, thorny bushes were full of white flowers. Butterflies floated gracefully from blossom to blossom and even flew in delighted circles around our heads as we walked. The birds were singing songs of love and bliss that filled the air and a trio of white ducks swum peacefully across the water. A gentle breeze made the water ripple while the sunlight seemed to dance across it like a thousand shining angels. Even the fish and frogs seemed to be jumping for joy as they splashed in the water.

? ? ? ?  All of this wondrous beauty and glorious life touched my heart and soul as I walked around the lake. It made me realize too that all of this was no accident. It was not only designed intelligently but with love as well. I never have a doubt of God??™s love for us all when I look at this fantastic and spectacular world that He created with love for us to live, to grow, and to learn in.

? ? ? ?  God loves us all so much. I think that the least we can do is to try and design our own lives intelligently and with love as well. Make your life an intelligent one then. Fill it with love, fill it with joy, and fill it with light. Love God, love yourself, and love others. Share your love, your joy, your peace, your happiness, your goodness, your kindness, your delight, and your life with everyone everywhere. Design a life of love and joy that all the world can see.

Joseph J. Mazzellajoecool @ 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.? 

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?  My First Experience With School
?  Bob Raines

1st. grade.
? ? ? ? ? ? ?  I didn't want to go but had no choice. As soon as I arrived at
school I turned around and ran home crying. That worked for a few days
then Mom talked to my teacher. The teacher would then take me to class
and keep me.

? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Next I would walk to school with my big brother Billy but he had
other friends and would go play with them. My brother went with his
friends to other places to play. I began feeling sorry for myself and
then walked home again. My Mother caught on quick. I was immediately
walked back with a paddle continually hitting my backside until we
arrived at school. Next I hit on an idea of keeping family close to me in
school. I took a rope and tied it to my big brother Billy. That didn't
work either because?  the teacher would take the rope off and let your Dad
loose.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Oh Well, I tried. In spite of it I finally found friends and
settled in.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  I started in first grade and Billy was in 2nd. grade. He failed
2nd grade and I passed to 2nd grade. As a result we were like non
identical twins in classes together until I quit school in the 10th.
grade. He finished and I floundered.
? ? ? ? ? ? ?  My brother Billy was not a quitter. He joined the Army and stayed
with the stuff and retired with a nice retirement and I just get tired,
rested and then retired again and again.
? ? ? ? ? ? ?  One of my biggest joys in life has been the fact that I received
a GED,?  General Education Diploma from the state of Arkansas, and? ?  then
went to college and finished my course. I graduated with a THG, Graduate
of Theology, degree and was later given an honorary DR of Divinity
Degree.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  My relationship with my Lord has been a continual source of joy
and victory for almost sixty years.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  The Love of God has made the difference in my life.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Bob Raines is now living in the state of Arkansas near the place
of his birth. His e-mail address is drbobraines1@juno.com Please feel
free to write and ask for advice and or prayer.

~**~**~

?  I Was Lost, But I Was Found

B.J. Cassady

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? ? ? ?  I wish to dedicate this series to my deceased wife, Sharon Cassady.? 

This is her story. ? I have interviewed the people involved and have a

copy of the newspaper article of this horrific event.?  I spent much time

deciding whether or not to write this but feel the need for several

reasons.?  The story is about abuse, violence, fear.

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? ?  For women who read this and see themselves in the story, I plead, I

beg, get help.

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?  For men who see themselves in this true story, get counseling or get

out of your relationship.?  Anyone who knows either a victim or a

abuser, report it to the police.?  If your are right, you might save a

life.?  On with the story.

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? ? ? ?  Sharon at the age of 15 became a victim.?  The local thug, drug-

dealer, heavy told her to marry him else he would kill her parents.? 

Being 15, and not knowing much about the world and alternatives,

she did marry him at the age of 15.?  She had three children, and also

she had many beatings.?  Some of which were so bad her own family

didn??™t recognize her.?  Finally, she didn??™t care if she lived or died,

she didn??™t care if her children died.?  She took the children and left,

hid.?  She filed for divorce and also a restraining order against John

Doe(sorry John but I had to make up a name).?  Sharon was at home

one day when the ex kicked in her door and slapped her around.?  He

mentioned the divorce didn??™t mean anything and the restraining

order was just a piece of paper.?  He threatened to come back anytime

he wanted.

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? ? ? ? ?  Sharon called the police and had him arrested for violating the

restraining order and probably assault.?  He got out on bail fairly fast.

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? ? ? ?  Sharon, her sister and Sharon??™s three children went to church the

next day.? ?  Her uncle, a decorated Korean war vet, was the local

Bishop.?  Little did they know that the ex had a rifle, and had camped

out on a hill overlooking the church.

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? ? ? ?  When Sharon started to get the children out from the car, her ex

came from the foliage with a rifle aimed at her.?  She thought his intent

was to murder the children.?  Meanwhile, the Bishop came from the

church and took in the scene at a glance.?  He started to talking to the

couple while the sister took the children into the relative safety of the

church.?  The sister also phoned the sheriff, the local police, and the

state police.?  Outside things were tense.?  The Bishop took Sharon

by the arm and started to escort her into the church.?  The ex asked the

Bishop if he felt like dying today.?  The Bishop turned his back to him

and started to go in the church as a round was squeezed off by the ex.? 

The bullet hit Sharon??™s uncle in the back, killing him instantly.? ?  He

then grabbed Sharon by the arm and kidnaped her, taking her into

the woods.

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? ? ? ?  A brief interruption.?  Sharon??™s aunt, the wife of the Bishop, told

me she was at home getting ready for church.?  The husband ???felt??™ like

he needed to be at church early that day and told her to take their

other car.?  The wife was in the front room when a cold feeling came

over her and she turned to see her husband standing in the doorway.? 

He told her not to forget where the insurance papers were and then

he was gone.?  She knew, knew he was dead.

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? ? ? ? ?  Just as Sharon and the ex were headed to the woods, sirens could

be heard.? ?  Thanks to the fast thinking of her sister, law enforcers

were swarming the area.?  Helicopters were flying overhead.?  Also, one

of the worst lightening storms in the regions??™s history was occurring,

forcing the ex to toss his rifle, afraid he would get hit by lightening.? 

He made Sharon wear his coat in case lawmen shot at his description.? ? 

I wondered what her thoughts were during this episode, murder or

torture then murder.?  Sharon did have some sand, she grabbed a rock

and knocked him in the side of the head.?  He pulled a knife and

stabbed her in the side.?  Sharon ran for the nearest clearing with the

ex on her heels.?  As they entered the clearing, to his chagrin, were the

men in blue.?  He surrendered peacefully and put in a police car.? 

Sharon went over to see that he really was in the car.?  He told her, he

would escape, hunt down her family??¦kill them, kill their children,

then find and kill her.

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? ? ? ?  He escaped.?  Some of her family have died under mysterious

circumstances.? 

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? ? ? ?  Sharon fled to Oklahoma with her children.?  The unusual part of

this horrible story is I wonder how much all this contributed to her

dying at the age of 47 of cancer??  One of her daughters married a man

who beat her.?  The cycle continues until someone takes a stand and

says, ???No More.????  Sharon never really told me this story.?  After she

passed on,. I visited West Frankfort, Illinois and spoke to the people

involved.?  I?  got newspaper clippings etc. of the event.? 

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? ? ? ?  I have worked as a Stephen Minister for a decade and as a lay

counselor, abuse is something I never understood.?  But whether I

understand it or not, it is there.? 

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? ? ?  So I ask, stop the madness.

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B. J. Cassady

Guthrie, Oklahoma

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B.J. Cassady

BJ.Cassady @ af-group.com

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B.J. Cassady is a Stephen Minister at

Edmond Trinity Church and ISD professional

in Guthrie, Oklahoma.?  A disabled Vietnam

era USAF vet,?  BJ enjoys giving back to

the world with his writings and is putting

together a CD audio collection of his best

writings.?  For further information please

write: bj.enterprises @juno.com

Also look for his story 'Medals' in

"More Patriot Hearts" by Lt Col William

Coffey and "The Quilt".

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Writers Feedback

To all;

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Why wife Jackie is in bad shape, she has a hernia that is blocking off her bowels, doctor says she needs surgery. Her appointment with the surgeon is tomorrow Wenesday 14 th. at 1:00 P.M. So if you all would please pray that if she has to have surgery God the surgeons hand and that God will

be with her also!!!?  All prayers for Jackie are deeply appreciated, God

bless you all for your prayers for her!!!!

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God bless you all

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Richard D. Sims

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May you know I'm a true miracle of the Hurricane Katrina. I did keep a journal, and suffer medical issues, i.e Addisons Disease, Mitral Valve Prolapse with regurg, Ostopnea, Degenerative Dics, and Fibromyalgia. I lost a lot of weight, and I know our LORD walked me right into his path. I attempted to get out of Gulfport, and finally was fortunate to leave via Meridian. I am unable to hear any news of this worse than Sept. 11.

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A warrior by his grace- Anne Gardner-Bleicher

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I certainly agree with Sharon about not leaving your loving pets behind to fend for themselves. I absolutely couldn't and wouldn't do it. Die together? I'd just have to. Seeing the clip about the copter pilot that wouldn't take the old woman??™s dog just infuriated me, driving me to tears.
If that had been my son doing it you could bet he would suffer a wrath from me. I learned long ago that fearless leaders behind the scenes don't understand the circumstances of the front lines
and you have to do what you have to do regardless of the circumstances.
Mark Crider: Grouchy Old Reprobate? 

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Prayer Requests and Updates

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Prayers are requested for the Damato family.?  They are going through some hard times.

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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; Lock, Joyce; 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;

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STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF

Publisher: Carol Roach-founder

Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder

Moderator: Clara Westerfer

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