STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Jan 27, 2006? 

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Today's Queue Stories
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Rising Above the Game

B.J. Cassady
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A local high school, Edmond Oklahoma, got thumped 62-13 by the first place teamin div 6A.?  With the score 48-7, the losing coach got with the winning coach and wanted to put in a senior who had worked hard all year for a special play and let him score.? 

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The boys name is Austin McKey and this is a day and a play he will remember for the rest of his life.?  The? play was Power 21, a trick play.?  Austin had tricks played on him earlier in life.? 

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At the age of 10, he suffered a stroke and his motor skills
were diminished, not his mind.?  The losing coach said after the game,

"He scored a touchdown for us against Union.?  I don't want to demean what he did.?  He's been a part of our team for four years, and he's done every drill every day.?  He's an intelligent kid.?  He's not mentally handicapped.?  It's hard for him to run--he's just a great, great, kid who has worked hard for us."

Austin's run was for 70 yards.

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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

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Also look for his story 'Medals' in "More Patriot Hearts" by Lt Col William Coffey and "The Quilt".

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~**~**~? 

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Journey into the Unknown

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? Sharon Bryant

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We were driving through a small town in South Carolina, just a few miles outside of Charleston.?  I think I felt before I saw, the bridge that is, and the tower which sat on the edge of town.?  Years and years of corrosion, peeling paint, elements of nature, yet the structures were the same.

The tower was made of brick, the years the elements had taken their toll on the old tower was an eyesore to the naked eye.?  Lucky for me, or unlucky, something I've never come to the conclusion on, both bridge and tower were still in the exact location they were long ago.

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We had just came through town where we stopped at a little cafe in the heart of town and enjoyed a meal of hot roast beef, mashed potatoes, veggies and iced tea.?  Our stomachs filled, our hearts full of excitement and adventure, we headed south on the little road that curved through the town.

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That's when I saw the tower.?  It stood on the end of a large curve, and as we were rounding the curve, I had a queasy feeling, a feeling of anxiety and apprehension, something I could not understand until my eyes took in the sight of the tower.?  Then I saw the bridge, just behind the tower.

The strangest feeling overwhelmed me, a feeling of fear, a deep dread that I could not comprehend.

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"Pull the truck over to the side of the road," I told Barb.?  "Why?" she asked.?  "Just pull over now," I said.?  How could I explain to her when I couldn't explain it to myself??  I just knew I had to stop, to look at the bridge and tower, or even more, to feel the bridge and tower.

We pulled over and parked.?  I stared at both structures. ?  I looked at the water, and a feeling of dread so deep stirred within me.?  My breath started coming in short gasps, I felt like I was choking, yet I didn't understand why.

"What's up?" Barb asked.?  I kept staring, ignoring her question.?  "Come on, this isn't like you, what's up?" she asked again.? 

All of a sudden I saw a boat, not in reality actually, but in my mind, an old shallow boat, crude in workmanship, made of wood.?  I could see myself sitting in the boat with another person.?  "I don't know what's wrong with me," I said.?  "Something's wrong with this bridge and tower.?  I see a boat, a small boat," I replied.

"I don't see any boat," Barb said.?  "I know this is crazy, but I can see it in my mind," I replied.

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We sat there for several minutes, the more I looked, the more I knew I had been here before.?  "This is insane, this is the first time I've been to South Carolina, we drive through this little town, and I have the oddest feeling I've been here before," I said.?  "Well, let's get going, this is spooky," Barb replied.

Part of me wanted to stay yet part of me wanted to get out of there too, so I agreed, and we headed south, towards Florida, our original vacation destination.

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That first night we stopped in a little town in Georgia as we headed south.?  After dinner, we walked through the small southern town hoping to take in some sights and enjoy our vacation.?  My mind just wasn't on anything but that town in South Carolina and the bridge and tower.

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"You're some terrific company," Barb remarked.?  "I can't help it, I can't shake the feeling of that town and why this feeling is so strange and strong with me," I replied.?  "I feel I've lived in that town, been a part of it, and the bridge and tower stir an emotion inside of me I don't understand," I said.

"Are you sure?" asked Barb.?  "Oh, I'm positive, and how could I see that boat that wasn't even there??  You didn't see it."?  I replied.

"Boy, I just don't know, none of it makes any sense," Barb said.

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We got up early the next morning and headed further south, making our way into the Bikini state, Miami Beach, our reservations waiting for us.?  We stayed in Florida for two weeks, then headed north.?  We had planned on taking I-75 home, but I had to come up the Eastern coast again.?  I had to see that town again, I had to feel the town just one more time.

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Something pulled me back to the town.?  It became an obsession with me.?  Again, two days later, the anxiety and dread began to fill me as we neared the town.?  Once again, I found myself staring at the two manmade structures that were what I called, 'messing with my head.'? 

This time the feeling was stronger than before.?  I kept staring and suddenly I could see myself in the boat again, only this time I could see who the other person was in the boat with me.?  A man, about my age sat across from me, a striking handsome guy and he was grinning.?  I could feel this man cared for me and I for him.?  I could feel love surrounding us.?  The scene seemed to be in the fall of the year as I could see the surrounding trees blazing with fall colors as they circled the body of water.?  I felt myself falling into a melancholy mood.

"Good Lord, what's wrong?" Barb asked.?  I could hear her speaking to me yet I found myself fighting off answering her.?  I didn't want to leave the scene I found myself so absorbed in, the scene I was playing a major role in.?  I wanted to stay there forever.? 

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"Come on, let's get out of here," Barb said.?  All of a sudden my mind came back to the present.?  I looked at her.?  I felt so strange, unattached from her at that moment.?  "I know this sounds crazy, and maybe I'm losing my mind, but I've sat in a boat, right here with a handsome guy at some time in my life.?  I can feel this, I know I'm right." I told her.?  "Sure, and I went to Big Boy with Robert Redford last night," Barb cracked.

One look at me and she went on, "You're serious, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," I replied.?  "What can this mean and why don't I want to leave this place?" I asked her.? 

"I don't know, let's just get out of here, it's giving me the creeps," she said.

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I became so obsessed with the town, the things I felt, things I saw in my mind, I told Barb to head home by herself, that I'd catch a flight in a few days.?  I wanted to explore, to dig, to dream.?  I found myself wanting to go back to whoever was in the boat.?  I wanted more from whatever the town could give me.

Barb refused to leave me alone.?  "I know this sounds crazy too, but why don't we check into some records in this place, they must have old records of the town somewhere," she said.? 

"How can I do that??  What am I looking for??  Who am I looking for??  What period of time would I look for??  I don't understand it myself, so who else would know?" I asked.?  "Hey, remember the movie we saw, 'Reincarnation of Peter Proud'," she asked.?  "Maybe it's like Peter was," she said.

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I didn't want to admit to her I had thought of that movie.?  I had thought of reincarnation, but I didn't want to let my inner thoughts out to anyone, but I did want to check into the town, for I felt there had been a drowning and the more I thought, the more I felt I had been involved in a tragedy.?  But I didn't know what year, or what century even that it could have taken place.

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We stayed in the town for two more days.?  I walked and walked through the town, looking ,searching for a clue, a feeling.?  I suddenly remembered a tree, a certain tree and I found it still standing.?  A feeling of awe and compassion flowed through me as I stared at the? tree.?  I knew this tree had been a part of my life somewhere, sometime.? ? ? This town had meant something special to me.? ?  I knew this sure as I knew my name.

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I never checked into any records.?  I never tried to find out what the town meant to me.?  It all seemed too complicated.?  I didn't know where to begin.?  I've let if fester like an open sore in my mind all these years.

But I do know two things.?  One is that I have a fear of large bodies of water, and two, that old tower and wooden bridge in South Carolina meant something to me at one time on this earth.

I think I'm afraid to return, afraid of what I might find out.? ?  And yet, I knew in my heart, one day I would return.

Fear has a way of making us back off, and that's where I am today.?  I have learned to live with it.?  Perhaps one day before I leave this earthy life, I will return.

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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 26,
Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 24.

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

~**~

A Choice to Believe God

Joyce C. Lock

? ? ? ?  It was beyond thrilling once I realized the Bible was a How-to Book; a list of Master's tools for overcoming whatever we face in the world.

? ? ? ?  I would see all kinds of wonderful instruction and promises, then look around and not see such faith in others.?  It is as if people believe Jesus died on the cross and, then, lied about all the rest.

? ? ? ?  "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable," I Co. 15:19.?  And, if we are miserable, we just might have a contracted a contagious disease called Stinkin' Thinkin'.

? ? ? ?  "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," Pr. 23:7.?  Therefore, it is of utmost importance to grow toward protecting ourselves from the lies of Satan.

? ? ? ?  Only two options are available for which to place our faith: (1.) to believe God, or (2.) to call Him a liar, (1.) to give glory to God by recognizing Him for who He is and who He said He would be, for and through us, or (2.) to give credit to Satan by focusing on all that is wrong with us and the world.
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? ? ? ?  Of course, one could choose to place themselves on God's throne; thinking they have no need of Him.?  Our choice determines to whom we give power; to which presence we will dwell in.?  And, we know that Satan both promotes pride and accuses the brethren.

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Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
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? ? ?  Satan is like a roaring lion, all he does is roar.?  We either give him power to devour us, or we choose to believe God.?  It is impossible to fall or fail following the instruction God speaks to us, as Satan can not defeat God.?  Being that nothing is too hard for God, rejoice even before He brings it to pass (Ro. 4:17).
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Let your moderation be known unto all men.?  The Lord is at hand.
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? ? ? ?  Only God knows how to defeat Satan and where he'll be lurking next (Pr. 14:12).?  So, it is most advisable to get one's instruction and faith from the words God speaks to you (Jb. 23:12).
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Be careful for nothing ...
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? ? ? ?  "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost," Mk. 13:11.
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but in every thing by prayer ...
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? ? ? ?  Pray in the Holy Ghost by laying your hands on the word of God, comparing scripture with scripture; rightly dividing the words of truth ... because they are spiritually discerned (I Co. 2:14).
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and supplication ...
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? ? ? ?  "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find knock, and it shall be opened unto you," Mt. 7:7.
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with thanksgiving ...
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? ? ? ?  Strait is the gate ... "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving ..." Ps. 100:4.
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let your requests be made known unto God.
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? ? ? ?  "Thy kingdom come.?  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," Mt. 6:10.

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"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
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And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
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Ph. 4:6-7
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"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.?  Those things, which ye have

both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
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Ph. 4:8-9
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?© by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

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Writers Feedback

Today's story, Dreading Death,?  by Rajendra Prathan, was riveting.?  Through the eyes of his childhood and far into his adulthood, his descriptive experiences touched me deeply.? ? Death is inevitable, yet it is that one thing that is so? difficult to talk about,? let alone, face.?  Thank you Rajenda, for sharing your story with us.?  It reminded me, once again,? to live my life to the fullest,? without fear and dread.?  And when that? last day comes? upon me? ... I pray that I too, will "not be distracted from heaven's path."? 

Fascinating? Story!

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Ginger Boda - Rhymerbabe@aol.com

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A TIME TO HEAL By Barbara Elliott Carpenter. This story of forgiveness is so so sweet, but I hurt for her.
I have been there.? Jene

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? What? an? awesome way to define the different faces of death.?  Keep on sharing? will be looking for more of your stories.?  Just an old lady who is Dancing with Life" and sending you a hug?  Leona ? 

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Prayer Requests and Updates

? ?  This is from a friend of mine in Missouri, Ken.?  We thought the cancer was licked but I guess it is back.?  He needs all our prayers.?  Thank you and God bless, Sharlett

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I went to the VA Hospital this morning because I had started coughing up hunks of blood last night.?  They did an? ? X-ray and chest C-Scan.?  It seems the cancer tumor has started to grow again.?  I has grown pretty fast and is pressing against the bronchial tube causing the bleeding.?  Sooooo I guess it's time to start the? prayers again.?  They worked the first time and I know they will work again.?  I will be going back to chemo and the lung doctor Tuesday or Wed. I guess.?  The emergency room doc said this morning, they? will want? to get started quickly on treatment.? 

I'll keep you all informed .

Ken,/gramps,/Uncle Ken

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? SENIOR WRITERS

Chief Writer: Sharon Bryant

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

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

Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria; Gilbert, Robert Jr; Goodier, Steve; Halley, Ellie Braun;

Harris, Kathy Anne;? Hunt, Sharlette;? Hymes, Christina

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

Liles, Norma; Lilly, Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Mazzella, Joe;? Morris, Deepak;

Ojeigbe, Georgewaters;

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

Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe;? Warner, Gorden K; Walsh, Sue

Weymouth, Barbara; 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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