STORYTIME TAPESTRY

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

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Feb 7, 2006? 

Today??™s Announcements:

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Again I want to thank the membership for your overwhelming out poor of love and support since my sister??™s passing.

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Happy Birthday Patricia Wellen from your friends at Storytime Tapestry.

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

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Today's Queue Stories
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? Pack Rat? ? ? ? ? ? ? 

Sharon Bryant

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I guess I was trying to make some more space in the closet last night.?  That's how I ended up sitting on the floor going through some old boxes I've had stored for a long, long time.

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I am known as a "pack rat."?  You know the kind, you find something you haven't used in ages, you smile with fond memories things you did with that item, and because it gives you a warm feeling, you stick it back in the box.?  You know.....just for old times sake.

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I picked up the old tiny Windsor radio.?  How I remember when my parents got it for me that Christmas I was in the 7th grade.?  The leather case it was in was still? in great condition.?  Then I wondered......would it still work??  I put some batteries into the back of the tiny radio, turned the "on" dial, and a country song belted out!?  I couldn't believe it still worked after all these years.?  How well I remember listening to Elvis, Johnny Horton, Patsy Cline, and many more many? years ago.?  I tucked it back in the corner of the box.?  One day my kids might get a kick out of that old radio.? 

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I picked up the book.?  It wasn't a book.?  It was a diary.?  Dated 1961.?  I leafed through the pages and began laughing.?  Did I really think that new guy who was in my math class was THAT good looking??  I smiled when I remembered our 20th year class reunion and I saw him.?  He changed so much had it not been for his name tag, I'd never have recognized him.

I read page after page and laughed myself silly with the entries I'd make so many years ago.?  Of course I couldn't throw THAT away.?  So back in the box it went.

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There on the bottom of the box was one of my typewriters.?  Dad got it for me when I "graduated" from 8th grade.?  A manual operated one, yet when I looked at it and touched the keys, so many memories flooded my mind.?  I'd typed countless letters to my grandmother on that old typewriter.?  I'd typed many stories for my English class.?  And though I know typewriters are now a thing of the past, you never know....if I hang on to it long enough, maybe one day I'll get to take it on the Road Show.?  So it stayed in the bottom of the box.

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What was THAT??  I picked it up, turned it around in my hands trying to think of what it was.?  Why did I save it?

Then I remembered.?  It had faded through the years.?  I could barely read the writing.?  I squinted my eyes and saw, "To my dearest granddaughter."?  It was part of a broach my grandmother had given me when I was just a young girl.?  There was the envelope it was stored in.?  ? I remembered years later when my house was broken into and the thieves had got into my jewelry box, breaking my broach in half.?  I never found the other half but I saved what was left because it meant so much to me coming from my grandma.?  I tucked it back into the box.?  Maybe one day I would tell my children the story behind the broken broach.

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When I picked up the wad of letters bound with a rubber band, the rubber band broke and the letters scattered all over the floor.?  I reached for one and looked at the post mark.?  1959.?  In her beautiful handwriting that I admired all those years was a letter from my grandmother.?  I opened the envelope and read the letter.?  Tugs began at my heart for the woman I loved so much.?  Memories flooded my mind of the years I was lucky enough to have her and the memories I will always have.?  I read many letters.?  I got another rubber band and bound the letters back and tucked the stack back into the box.?  How could I ever throw those away?

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Yes I'm a pack rat.?  Some folks have said, "If you haven't used something for 6 months or more, you don't need it, throw it away."?  We pack rats just cannot do that.?  In just that one box I went through last night, I have years of precious memories.?  To hold something in your hands that was once a major part of your life is priceless.?  I can't throw them away.

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Maybe one day I will get into that box again with a little one sitting by my side.?  Maybe one day I will read to them the letters their? great-grandmother wrote me when I was just a young one myself.?  Maybe the things that have been so meaningful to me will be passed on to them one day, and when they grow up and have a family of their own, if they're lucky enough to be a pack rat, it will be passed on to another generation.? 

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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

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~**~**~? 

? Sunday Sonlight
Footprints Upon
the Sand
Sandra Lewis Pringle
SLPENT1@aol.com

"We want each of you to show this same diligence
to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

We do not want you to become lazy, but to
imitate those who through faith
and patience inherit what
has been promised."

Hebrews 6:11-12

At the end, how will each of our lives be measured as we stand before God and receive the judgment which is ours?

The things that will not matter are those things which a lot of people pursue in this life. All the things we have stored up, to collect dust, will not matter. All the wealth, fame, power, and position we have attained will not matter.

There will be no more gains to pursue!

It will not matter who you are, where you have been, what you have been, or where your life was headed.

Whenever considering this, my mind returns to the image of the man walking along the beach, not realizing that the powerful tsunami waters of the ocean behind him were about to catapult him to his death. In an instant, his life was gone.

Who was that man? Was he a Christian? Was he prepared to die? Did he have a relationship with our Savior, Christ Jesus? Was he saved ... and is he in Heaven now?? 

The things that will matter that are of great significance will not be the degree of worldy knowledge we possess, the amount of success, or the earthly trophies or titles which one has been awarded.? 

The most important of all will be the acts of kindness, the acts of integrity, compassion, sacrifice of self that caused and encouraged others to follow along in the same pathways. This is true leadership, the way God designed it!? 

It will not matter, the amount of popularity one has, how many knew our name, but rather, the kind of impression we made upon those who knew us. What will be most important is:

Where did our footprints lead them?

It will not matter how long we lived, but how many lives we touched and led to Christ in the time we were here.

Our anger, bitterness, pride, jealousy, frustration, greed, selfishness, dreams, and resentments will all disappear upon taking our last breath.

It will no longer matter to us who said what, what someone did against us, or how we responded to someone's else's selfish ambition or spitefulness. What will matter is how we reacted with the Love of Christ to all those who hurt us, abused us, or misused us.? ? 

Developing Godly character is a process in which we learn, through trials and experiences, the ways of God. The process cannot be taught or bought from an opened self help book, but through an opened heart to Our Lord Jesus through His Word, with humbleness and a willingness to obey and to follow His guidelines.? 

We must be receivers of all that He wishes to teach us. We must be distributors of all that He wishes to give us. We must not miss the mark if He has called us to reach out to others, and, Family ... He has called each and every one of us to do just that!
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He will provide the means, the necessary tools, the necessary helpers in order for us to do so. Each time we fail to reach out to others, whenever the opportunity has crossed the path in front of us, we miss the mark and we miss the blessings. If we are being blessed, it is because we are to be a blessing to others, Folks. This is the purpose!? ? ? ? 

It is my thought that as we journey through this life, we should journey through it in such a way as to leave a lasting, loving, and memorable footprint behind, and a heartstring attached to the hearts of others.? ? 

Choosing to live a life that makes a difference is often not an easy choice to make, but is one that was planned by our Creator before our lives began. It may be a choice that will bring a hardship on you for a time, but God will bless those, sooner or later, who choose to follow along this path, those who persevere, those who continue to walk in faith!

Don't miss that opportunity whenever it passes in front of you. Recognize the hand of God passing in front of you whenever it comes along.

May God Bless you all, Family, as you walk upon His path!

I love you all!

Sandra

Sandra Lewis Pringle
Lewisville, North Carolina
?© 2005
SLPENT1@aol.com

My name is Sandra Lewis Pringle.?  Writing is, and always has been, a favorite pasttime of mine, since a child.? ?  I often would make up little stories to entertain my cousins, and friends, at times we had nothing else to do.

? ?  I wrote poetry at a young age, and then began to write more seriously, as the years passed.

? ?  I began an inspirational greetings site, online, in 1998.?  By that time, I had gathered several people who wished to read poetry, and with whom I had been sending out prayers, in answer to prayer requests.

? ?  The name of my poetry site is "Greetings from the Heart and Soul."
Greetings From The Heart And Soul

? ?  Later, I added my daily devotionals, "Morning Glorythoughts", and that readership has grown by leaps and bounds.? ?  Praise God.

Morning Glorythoughts Daily Devotionals

? ? ? ? ?  And since I also like to play with photography, I have recently added onto the internet, my own gallery of photos, which glorify the Presence of Almighty God all around us.

Sandra's Gallery of Photography

? ? ? ?  I reside in North Carolina, grew up in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and this is where I call home.

? ? ?  I hope that if you visit any of my websites, you will enjoy and be blessed.

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Poetry Section

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The following two poems were written for me, by Ameasha Brown on the event of my sister??™s passing.?  I am eternally grateful to her for the love and support she has shown me.

Miss Me - But Let Me Go
Ameasha Brown

When I come to the end of the road, And the sun
has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloomed filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free.

Miss me a little - but not too long, And not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take, And each must go alone,
It's all a part of our Creator's plan,
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrow's in doing good deeds,
Miss me - but let me go.

Ameasha Brown

kittcat1952@hotmail.com

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? I'll Be There
Ameasha Brown

When you think I have gone and you miss me,
Look at the flowers that bloom in the spring.
Hear the rustling of the wind,
and hear all the birds that sing.

See the trees sway to and fro
and think of me again.
I am within all these things,
with you I still remain.

I always will be with you with the rise
and the setting of the sun.
Just think of the life around you, I'll be there
and remember I love everyone.

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Ameasha Brown

kittcat1952@hotmail.com

Greetings. My name is Ameasha Brown and I live in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. I have lived in the country along the Nith River for over twenty-five years where my husband and I have raised our three children. My passion is to become an author and I hope to publish a book in the near future. I have published articles with several ezines, I have three books in progress, a children's play in progress, and I am also a writer and? team member with Celtic Sorcery Productions

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Writers Feedback

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Sharon:?  you really have me intrigued with your vignette re the SC town.?  Perhaps it would help to find out the name of the town and perhaps the bridge you saw that day??  Maybe some internet research could help get to the bottom of this metaphysical mystery.

All Best Regards,

Greg H.

Carol,

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I loved your limerick or poem or whatever you called it.

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Naughty but nice.

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Love,

Barb

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Prayer Requests and Updates

Carol,

My deepest sympathy to you and your family.?  I am so glad that you? 
are left with the true sound of her voice.

May the joyful memories of Joyce that you can recreate, the memories? 
of the things she loved, give you peace and sustenance and the days? 
and months ahead.

My prayers are with you all.?  Peace and love,

Sheila

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Carol, having gone through the despair of watching my
own parents as they were diagnosed and then?  lost the
fight with cancer, I can truly say, I do know how you
are feeling right now.?  I am so sorry for your loss
and will pray for your family.?  What a wonderful thing
that at the very end her own voice returned and she
was able to give your mother that comfort.?  Doris

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I am very sorry for your loss of Joyce.

My prayers are with you and the family.

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God bless you.

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Love and prayers

Jene

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Dear Carol,

? ? ? ? ? ? ?  I extend my deepest sympathy on the death of your sister.?  She will be at peace now after going through so much.?  It has been hard for you and your family to watch her suffering.?  But in witnessing that suffering the blessing is that it makes your own grieving easier to bear as you realize death is a release.? ?  You will miss her and the world will not be quite the same, but time erases the pain.? ? 

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? My thoughts are with you, love Gabrielle.

I am so sorry, Carol, for the family.?  Joyce's last moment opportunity to be able to speak? with her mom was a wonderful blessing.?  Jane

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Jane Mullikin

janemullikin@earthlink.net

www.spiritualsisters.com

www.projectripple.com

www.hopeandspirit.com

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Dear Carol

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I am so sorry to hear your news.

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We'll be praying that the Lord Jesus will be very near to you especially at this time.

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Robert (<:

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So sorry abt. your sister.?  Praying God will hold you & your family in the palm of HIS hand.? ?  Dot in GA.

? ?  "I Know in whom
?  I have believed and
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?  HE can keep all that
?  I've committed to HIM."

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Carol,

? So sorry to hear about your sister, Joyce. It was good she was able to talk to your Mom on Sunday. Sometimes we don't understand the way things happen, but God will explain when we meet Him face to face. I'll keep you & your family in my prayers.

Take care

Alice Ann

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Carol,

My prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry to hear that your sister passed away. I will be thinking of you and as you said, her agony is over.

Love and prayers to you and yours,

Dianna

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Carol;

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I am very sorry to hear about your sister, I pray that God will help you? through

your time of loss and be with you. Richard

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Dear Carol,

I am so very sorry and you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and God bless,

Marilyn

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Carol, dear- so sorry to hear of your sad news.?  My condolences to you
and your mom.?  There seems so much heartache all around. No one is ever
ready to hear the news such as you just received. May God surround you
with His love and give your strength.? ?  --K>

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Dear Carol,

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Thank you for sharing? the loss of your sister? with our writing group. I am sure that all of us are praying for her, you, and your family now. I am doing so, and will continue to for some time.? 

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Love,? Kathleen? 

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my sister just died last night at 9:30 pm

Oh sweet friend, I am so sorry.?  My heart and prayers are there with you.?  Just know that I care.? 

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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

Moderator:?  Bob Johnston

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Send all inquires about the newsletter including submission requirements:

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