STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Dec 14, 2005? 

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Today's Christmas Stories
~**~**~**~

Christmas, Now, Past, For Ever.

Bill Walker

wildbill6807@yahoo.com

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Christmas time always brings back to me memories. Some are happy memories, while some are sad.?  I know of others that are the same way. Christmas should be a happy time, but it may be a sad time of year for many.?  This Christmas will be no different. I know full well there will be many destroyed Christmas this year, some for ever. Christmas time will remain a sad time of year for many for ever.? For many, Christmas will never be the same

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How can it be a? ? Merry Christmas for those that will receive the bad news on or near the day of Christmas.?  "Your son, daughter, husband, wife, father, mother,? is missing in action, or was killed in action."?  Yes today even daughters, wife, and mothers. More so then in past wars.

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There is other things like that, don't have to be war.?  People die every day or time of the year, but?  to have it at Christmas time.?  Well it just kills that time of year.?  How can one enjoy Christmas time when that?  happens.?  Many people will have an empty chair, or chairs at the table on Christmas day..

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For some there is memories of past Christmas.?  There has been many stories handed down from hard times.?  Christmas in real hard times of the past, even today,?  not much joy to hear.

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I know the number of people that remembers the dirty 30s will be growing less these days. But let me tell you a bit of history.?  Many a child of those days, Christmas was just another day.? 

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I also remember the stories of people that lived before, hard times of Christmas. Before people?  had the words of today. Liberal and Conservative. I think it would pay people to look up in Dan Webster the meanings of those two words and do a little thinking.

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It is nice to be a little of both at the same time.?  Stop and think, put your self in both sets of shoes and walk a mile.?  That is if all you are thinking of politely. It also fits in most other cases.

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I was thinking about the rich person who can walk or drive by the Bell Ringers, never hear nor see. I was thinking about the person who digs in the pocket, and drops in a few coins, knowing full well might need that few coins later. But those that do so knows it is for a good cause.. Which might make them called a Liberal.?  The person who walks by, or drives by could be called a Conservative for one of two reasons. They know times is tough, got to save the dime for a bag of beans.?  On the other hand, I got mine, you get yours best way you know? how? 

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That is why I think a person who uses those two words, should read what Dan Webster says.?  Maybe I also mis read the meaning.?  I am sure there will be some brain that will tell me I am nuts.

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While I am on this.?  I have heard people say that God is one or the other. Liberal or Conservative. I think, both may be right, I also think both is very much wrong. If you really read the Bible, you will find many places where one or the other is the case. There is places where it is said to save up for tomorrow.?  Then there is places that says to do for others which has less.?  Remember the place where it says, if you have two of something, give one to the person who has none.?  Also remember Able and Cain.?  You are your bothers keeper.?  Also remember another thing.?  And this will fit ever so many cases.?  There goes I, but by the grace of God.

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I really think there is times to be a little of both, Liberal, and Conservative.?  So much for that thinking.

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Now back to the many hard times in history.?  Remember history does repeat. We have had both good times, and hard times.

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I remember the stories my mother told.?  I am sure this story may be in any ones family tree.?  So I will tell her story.

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Her Father died 1914, leaving a wife, and seven children ranging from 16 to 2 years of age.?  Times was tough, there was no programs in place like now for such.?  You either made it or fell through what ever cracks.?  In other words, did with out.?  Went to bed many a night hungry.?  Christmas was no different, just another day.

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Then is no difference then now.?  The first day of school after Christmas, you stood up and told what was had for Christmas.?  Teacher think about this when you have this time in school, and do a little thinking how stupid it is.

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Each one of the seven stood up and told about what a wonderful day it was. Each never told the same story.?  One told had a ham dinner, another a turkey dinner, and the one that told the truth, said a plate of beans, no fatback.

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Then you got the many toys and such.?  Some got a wagon, some got a fancy doll, some got a ? horse even.?  The truth of the matter was a old made over doll for the girls, and the boys, well I can't remember just what made over it was now..?  All got a sack of a few bits of hard candy, apple,?  and that was it.?  Hard times.

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I wonder how many kids learned to be a flat out fibber in school. then , now, and in the here to come days. Teacher think on that one.

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Yes there has been hard, sad Christmas days in the past, will be in the years to come. It can't be helped.?  I say make the best of it, if that is possible.? There may be some happy Christmas times. ? And remember those that are going through hard? times at? Christmas time, and every day for that matter.?  Who knows what your Christmas in the next years may be like.

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Remember this.?  The Lord God, does give, also does take away.?  Also remember this is written.?  "He who does for the least, had done for me."?  When you help or give to those in need,?  do so with a happy glad heart that you can.?  God will note such action.?  You might be most blessed.? ? At least you will have a warm feeling in your heart.

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You may have been blessed with many things on earth, but you will not leave this earth with your gold and silver.

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Merry Christmas to one and all, and a good night.

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Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

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~**~**~? 

The Bell Ringers? 

Bill Walker

wildbill6807@yahoo.com

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The Bell Ringers, the people of the Salvation Army who stand here and there ringing the bells in the months of Thanksgiving and Christmas.. The little kettles of red for your coins and bills of the relm to be dropped in.

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I see these at different stores and on the streets.?  I take note of the location of such.?  I also take note some stores do not allow said people on or near their door. I read and hear where some stores turn away other people who set up drop off points for toys for needy children. This really stumps me as to the thinking of some small minded people.

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I notice Wal-Mart does not allow the ringers inside the outer door.?  I have thought about this, and wonder what is the problem??  What harm would it be to let them set up the kettles just inside that door?? ?  It is cold outside, wet at times, snow at times, also windy at times.

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Then it came to me of days before the Super Discounts stores.?  Where did the Bell Ringers set up shop??  On the streets, the sidewalks of town.?  In front of stores like Wards, Sears, Penny's.?  Not inside, but on the sidewalks.?  That too was cold, wet, snow, windy.? 

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I have been thinking of the battle cries both ways, and if one spends a small amount of thought, might come up with reasons. One might be insurance people might have said, "what if some silly accident happened, we are stuck."?  People has become sue happy, will sue over anything. Remember the old gal that sued because MacDonald forgot to tell her the coffee was steaming hot??  She bought a paper cup of hot coffee, didn't like cold coffee.?  This cup was a couple degrees hot hot.

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Now I hear and read about Target stores has a thing that says no bell Ringers at all.?  Also no? Toys for Tots boxes. Again maybe the company got told the boxes might be a problem.?  But I can't buy that line myself. Ever notice the junk setting around for people to trip over??  Junk that cost a few coins to play.?  Then there is a small chance that some soft hearted Liberal will stop at the toy department and buy a toy to put in the box. So the store made a sale that wouldn't have happened if the box wasn't there.? 

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Now there is another beef about what we say and do at Christmas time.?  I have gave this also a small amount of thought.?  I have thought about the words, "put Christ back in Christmas."?  I thought that was a right good idea. I am like a lawyer I read about.?  He said he could take either side in? a word battle, as he could? take the case both ways.

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I think we should put Christ back into Christmas. But then I got to thinking.?  We in trouble here, Bill is thinking.? ?  What about the little Jewish boy, the little Jewish girl??  You know there is some of those, and they too have a holiday about the same time..?  Same about Easter? time.? 

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Now I feel like we have a real mixed bag here.?  Damn if you do, damn if you don't.?  This is a fine base line we walk.?  Step on it or cross it and you find people jumping on the case. Sure can't make every one happy all the time.

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But I have a new thought. Again we in deep trouble, Bill got a thought. Lets forget this thing called Christmas. People would spend less money, stores and companies fold up, and the fuss would be over.

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There is another thing to think about.?  We have no real clue when Christmas should be.?  The church people took? the 25th of December for one reason. It was taken from a pagan idea.?  So they just took up with it. ? Lets move Christmas to say in the early fall, how about late spring??  There is really only one Church Holiday we are sure of.?  Easter!? 

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Tinker and Poo; The Boys Write

http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-35741-5

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ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com

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SLEEPING ON CHRISTMAS EVE ? 

I don??™t know why I had such a hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve.

Sleep was usually something I did very well. I loved to sleep, and I did it as much as I could ??“ whenever I could. I could sleep on the floor in front of our old black and white TV. I could sleep in the back of our Impala as we drove hundreds of miles to visit loved ones for the holidays. I could sleep sitting up during church (unlike my father, whose headed nodded and bobbed as he drifted off, and whose snores often provided gravely sermon accompaniment).

I was a natural born sleeper. Except on Christmas Eve.

Maybe I was nervous. Maybe I was worried (you know, the whole lump of coal thing). Or maybe I was concerned at the prospect of an elderly gentleman of undetermined background wandering around our house in the middle of the night.

Oh, who am I trying to kid? I was crazy, out of my bed excited. No doubt about it.

The first time I remember this happening I just lay in my bed, tossing and turning and ??“ if memory serves ??“ crying a little at 2 a.m. At 3 I went in to Mom and Dad??™s room to see if we could open presents. They said it wasn??™t time to get up yet (or words to that effect) and suggested (in their own inimitable way) that I should go back to bed. I kept bugging them every 30 minutes or so until they finally relented at 5:30. I opened presents and fell asleep under the tree, where I remained most of Christmas Day.

The next year I began psyching myself up to sleep Christmas Eve about Thanksgiving time. Everyone in the family remembered my experience of the previous year, and they were anxious to not have a repeat performance ??“ especially Mom and Dad. Dad got me up early on Christmas Eve and had me help him chop wood for the fireplace in order to tire me out. Mom gave me a Santa mug of hot milk before I went to bed. My sister Kathy volunteered to put me to sleep with a pillow over my face. Kathy was always helpful about stuff like that.

And it was all working. I was just beginning to drift off to sleep when my big brother Bud came downstairs and flipped on the light.

"Look what I??™ve got!" he said, teasingly, flashing something colorful in his hand.

"What?" I asked sleepily. "What is it?"

"Santa has been here already," he said, "and I took a Polaroid picture of your presents!"

He flashed the photo in front of my face long enough that I could see bright colors, but not long enough for my eyes to be able to focus on anything. Then he started back upstairs.

"No . . . wait!" I said. "I didn??™t see anything!"

"Oh, you??™ll see it all . . . in the morning," Bud said, laughing. "Now get to sleep!"

Yeah, right. Like that was going to happen now.

So I spent another sleepless Christmas Eve, only this time Mom and Dad made me wait until 7 before getting up the rest of the family. But I did get a chance to get back at Bud when the lack of sleep and too much candy before breakfast moved me to throw up in his new slippers.

The next year I was apprehensive as Christmas approached. I wasn??™t looking forward to another long night, and I missed out on a lot of fun by sleeping through Christmas Day. So I asked Mom if I could have a pill or something to help me sleep.

"I have a better idea," she said. She took me by the hand and led me down to my room. We knelt down by the side of my bed and had a little prayer together, during which she asked God to help me sleep. Then she tucked me in bed and sat there for a moment gently stroking my hair and speaking soothingly. The last thing I remember was her soft kiss on my forehead.

I woke up to a bright, beautiful Christmas morning and went running upstairs, refreshed. I poked my head into Mom and Dad??™s room, where they were still trying to get some rest with Kathy ??“ bright-eyed and anxious ??“ in their bed between them.

Turns out I wasn??™t the only one who had a hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve.

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~**~**~

ValueSpeak

A Weekly Column

By Joseph Walker

valuespeak@msn.com

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CHRISTMAS SUNDAY

For those who dream of a white Christmas, 1988 was a dream come true.

A winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow in our area early that Christmas Sunday morning. From the warmth and security of my living room, it was a magnificent sight. The snow lay in a thick, powdery blanket that gave the roads, yards and orchards outside the appearance of being joined together as one huge flat, white field. Smoke curled out of brick chimneys that extended up through what seemed to be a thick layer of marshmallow rooftop frosting, giving every house a cozy Courier & Ives ornamentation. Tree boughs bent sharply beneath the heavy load of snow, and "the treetops glistened." Just like the song says.

It was picturesque ??“ no question about it.

Until you tried to travel in it. Then all of that beautiful snow suddenly became an icy adversary that caused tires to spin and made roads impassable. All of which was fine for those who were inclined to spend a nice, quiet Christmas at home. But for those who planned on traveling "over the river and through the woods" ??“ or even just a few blocks to attend church services ??“ the snow presented a challenge of significant proportions.

It became clear to me just how significant those challenges would be when I tried to negotiate the two blocks to church on foot. Trudging through the deep snow was laborious, and I slipped frequently on patches of ice. As the lay leader of our local church congregation, I was concerned for those who would venture out to attend our Christmas worship service ??“ especially those wonderfully faithful elderly couples and widows who always attended. No matter what.

When I got to the church I called Sam, my good friend and one of my associates in the lay ministry, and I suggested the possibility of canceling services because of the snow.

"Oh, we can??™t do that," he said. "It??™s Christmas!"

"But I don??™t know if it??™s safe . . ."

"Don??™t you worry about that," he said. "Everything will be fine. You??™ll see."

Buoyed by Sam??™s faith and assurance, I began preparing the church for worship. I cranked up the heat in the chapel, turned on lights, set up a few extra chairs in the back (well, it WAS Christmas Sunday, after all) and then headed out to shovel the sidewalks. The snow was heavy and wet, and there was a ton of it to remove. There was no way I was going to get it all done before church. And I had no idea what to do about the parking lot, which was still covered with so much snow that it would be dangerous for cars pulling in and out.

Suddenly I heard a chugging sound coming slowly down the tree-lined lane leading up to the church. I knew that sound ??“ it was George, a good-hearted member of our congregation. He was using the blade on his tractor to plow a path to church. He waved as he chugged into the parking lot and began clearing away snow for the cars that soon would be coming.

I bowed my head and silently thanked God for George. But when I looked up I realized I had much more for which to be grateful. A small army of men ??“ old and young ??“ armed with snow shovels were descending on the church sidewalks to finish the job I had barely started. In no time the walks were clean and the parking lot was ready for those who would drive to church.

I thanked George and the others for their help, and gently suggested that we take a few minutes to dig out some of our elderly couples and widows.

"Too late," George said through the frost accumulating on his thick white moustache.

I looked at my watch. "We??™ve got a half-hour. If we divide up I??™m sure we can . ."

"It??™s done," George interrupted. "Every house in the neighborhood. Merry Christmas!"

I looked at George and at the smiling faces of men and boys who had left their warm homes and Christmas presents to move a mountain of snow so that their neighbors could safely travel to worship ??“ and I wept. There were no words to express what I was feeling and what they had taught me that Christmas Sunday. But as we stood there in that circle of service, noses running and cheeks pink from the cold, we were warm.

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Writers Feedback

? So wonderful to be reading again more of dear Normies writings.? ?  God bless you Norma? ?  hugs Leona

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