Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

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Feb 18, 2006

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Today??™s Valentines Stories

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I am sending three stories for consideration in the Valentine Contest.?  "Amore in America" is a true story about my parents.?  "Golden Opportunity" and "Snow Man" are fiction.?  Thanks for considering them in the contest!

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Amore in America
Carol J. Douglas

The sign on the busy street reads "San Margherita," a one road town in Columbus, Ohio settled long ago by Italian immigrants.?  Even though many years have passed since the Italians founded San Margherita, the sign has not been removed and the name still stands.
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It is a remnant of earlier days when the tight knit group of Italians banded together in their search for a "better life" in America and formed their own small town.?  They welcomed each other to their new country and helped each new family settle in to life in America.?  But many of the old traditions were brought to their new homes. They continued making wine, harvesting gardens, and going to daily mass together.

Everybody knew everybody on that street.?  It was a little piece of Italy in America, a community held together by old world traditions as new lives were forged.

A small stone church, St. Margaret of Cortona, was built among the homes in San Margherita so the Italians could walk to daily mass just as they did in the "old country."?  It was a gathering spot for mass and all the celebrations of a Catholic community, like baptisms, first communions, confirmations, funerals and weddings. One particular wedding sent shock waves through the tight knit Italian community.?  It took place in the little church on July 19, 1952.?  The bride, Emma, a tiny dark haired Italian beauty was marrying Glenn - an "Americano!"?  But this had never been done!?  Italians marry Italians!?  Many in San Margherita predicted disaster for the newlyweds.

"This marriage will never last," they said.? ?  But the doubters in the community didn't realize that true love doesn't only happen between two people of the same nationality.?  True love happens when two people simply fall in love and are willing to overcome obstacles to be together.

On September 15, 1930, a daughter, Emma, was born to Alessandrina and Felice DiSanto.?  The immigrant couple was staying at a friend's house at the end of San Margherita until they purchased their own home further down the street. As she grew, Emma continued to visit the family friends in the house where she was born.

Next door to that house was a rental home.?  An American family lived there with a son named Glenn who was the same age as Emma. Though he was only five years old he would look through the fence at the little dark haired girl visiting.?  He couldn't take his eyes off her even at that tender age and he never forgot her.?  Eventually, Glenn's family moved, but by the time he was in high school, they were renting a home in San Margherita again.?  It was one of only two homes on the street that were not occupied by Italians.

? Sometimes, Emma's mother would send her out on errands to the little grocery store down the street. Glenn, a handsome blonde haired blue eyed young man would just happen to come out of his house every time Emma walked by.?  "Hi," he'd greet her and Emma shyly greeted him. No matter what the weather, Glenn was out in his yard when Emma happened by.
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Emma and Glenn went to the same high school and began dating.?  But when Glenn enlisted in the army right out of high school the relationship seemed to come to an end.?  In fact, Glenn wrote to Emma while stationed in Japan saying he was ready to end their relationship. As a young man on his first adventure, he wanted to be footloose and fancy free.?  Emma was deeply saddened but heeded the advice of her mother who told her not to answer his letter.?  She moved on with her life getting her first job downtown.

However, no matter how he tried, Glenn couldn't get Emma off his mind.? ?  He remembered the last time he had seen her before he left the USA.?  They were at the swimming pool and seeing Emma in her bathing suit "tore me up."?  While on active duty in Korea in August of 1950 Glenn was wounded and earned a purple heart. He remembers that in the midst of the battle he thought to himself, 'When I get back home I'm going to marry that little Italian girl.'?  So upon returning to the states, he promptly went to San Margherita to call upon Emma. He was disappointed not to find her home.

Later, when Emma returned from work, her excited sister told her that Glenn had visited asking for her. Emma was surprised.?  She thought he wanted to end their relationship.?  But Glenn never gave up and was determined to have Emma for his wife. He wooed her until she accepted his proposal.?  The two were married in a combination of grand Italian and military tradition.?  Coming from the church after the ceremony, the new man and wife walked under a military arch of the sabers a tradition in the military of servicemen making a "tunnel" of crossing swords for the couple to make a safe transition into their new life together.? 

Then, a traditional Italian dinner beginning with Italian Wedding Soup and featuring pasta, chicken and salad was served to family and friends.?  At the reception people danced the "tarantella" and marched the grand march.?  Homemade cookies were abundant and the wedding cake was cut and fed to each other.? 

Within five years, Emma and Glenn had three daughters and one son.?  They lived in Paris, France for three years where Glenn was stationed, and had the opportunity to visit the small town in Italy where Emma's parents had traveled from so many years before to start a new life in America.? 

Today the community of San Margarita hosts only a few descendants of the original Italian immigrants. The little stone church is gone and a newer modern one has taken its place.?  And though so much has changed, one thing has remained constant, the love between two people that blossomed there so many years ago.

Carol J. Douglas
carol_jean_douglas@yahoo.com

~**~**~
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Golden Opportunity

Carol J. Douglas?  ? 

"But we didn't get to see you and dad exchange wedding vows," I said in exasperation.?  Mom could be so stubborn sometimes.?  My sisters and I were planning a fiftieth wedding celebration for our parents.?  Mom hated drawing attention to herself; so she scoffed at my idea of her and dad renewing their vows.

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"We know we're married," she was saying.?  "So what's the point?"? 

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"Because," I said, "it shows that you'd choose each other again even after fifty years! Besides plenty of people weren't there the first time around and would like to witness it now."

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Mom turned to dad, "Glenn, do you think you'd ask me to marry you again after fifty years?" she smiled teasingly.

"Course I would Shorty!" he laughed.

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Seeing their exchange tugged at my heart. I wanted everyone to see that love can really last fifty years.?  I wanted to believe it myself.?  After my last two relationships went sour I needed convincing that there was such a thing as true love.
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"Will you at least think about it?"

Mom sighed. "I'll think about it," she said.

One month later my siblings and I were in the church basement decorating everything in sight with gold.

"King Midas would have loved it in here," my sister said dryly as she spread gold lame down the center of each table.

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"It isn't often you get to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary," I replied.

All the details had been resolved.?  We were going to have a catered dinner down here after everyone witnessed the renewing of the vows in church.?  Yes, mom and dad agreed to renew their wedding vows in front of family and friends.?  Mom had reluctantly agreed on the condition that we celebrate in the church basement afterwards instead of going out to a fancy restaurant with just a few people.?  So we pooled our resources and came up with a workable game plan to have an unforgettable party that we could afford.?  A friend of ours was to cater the dinner and my niece's
piano teacher was going to provide the music.?  The decorating was up to us and we took on our task with gusto.?  When the basement was transformed into a sparkling room of gold, we went home to prepare ourselves for the big event the next day.

As I watched mom and dad exchange wedding vows with tears in their eyes, I saw most people in church were crying too.?  Dabbing my eyes I noticed the black mascara smudges on the tissue and thought I probably looked like I'd just been in a boxing match. I glanced around.?  Sitting a few pews back on the right I locked eyes with a gorgeous guy sitting with an elderly couple.?  He smiled and I blushed and looked quickly away.?  The couple looked familiar but in my fragile emotional state I couldn't place them or the gorgeous guy with them.?  'Great,' I thought, 'my nose looks
like a cherry and my mascara is running down my face. Nice first impression!'

After the ceremony my sisters and I were sitting in the pew trying to repair our faces for pictures.?  As I was powdering my nose, I looked up and saw Handsome standing right in front of me.?  His parents were laughing with mom and dad.? 

"Hi Karen," he said. "Good to see you again.?  You look great!"

"Hi!" I said my brain searching frantically trying to place him. "So do you!" I blurted and blushed.

He laughed, "You don't remember me do you?" he asked.

Before I could manage any words from my paralyzed mouth he said,

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"I'm Jeff Rice from across the street."

Now my mouth worked!?  It was hanging open!?  "Jeff Rice?" I said incredulously.?  At the same time I'm thinking, 'this is that scrawny freckle faced boy who played with us and teased me mercilessly?' "You've, ah. changed," I managed feebly.

"You haven't changed a bit," he laughed.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" I smiled.

"It's a great thing," he said.

I found out that mom had included plenty of our former neighbors on her guest list thinking she'd like to see them instead of just reading a yearly Christmas card.?  Jeff said he was visiting his parents when they got the invitation and asked if he could tag along to see old friends.?  We ended up talking about old times as he walked with me downstairs.?  Then I was immersed in greeting people, getting my picture taken with mom, dad, and anyone else who was remotely related, and making sure the buffet line moved along without a hitch.?  When I finally got to sit down and enjoy some
dinner, my nerves were a little frazzled.?  I had just finished the last delicious bite of Chicken Angelo
when the pianist announced she was going to play "Unforgettable" for mom and dad's first dance.

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"Find your own unforgettable partner and please join them," she said.? 

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I got a little misty again as the beautiful melody began and I watched dad lead mom onto the dance
floor.?  Camera lights flashed like paparazzi on movie stars but mom and dad only had eyes for each other.?  I jumped a little at the tiny tap on my shoulder.?  Turning, I heard Jeff say,

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"I never forgot you. May I have this dance?"? 

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I smiled and asked, "Are you sure your toes are up to it?"? 

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"As long as yours are," he replied and held out his hand.

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Taking his hand I followed him onto the dance floor.?  We danced together most of the night except when my dad cut in.?  Once I noticed his parents and mine smiling and talking as they watched us.?  Jeff noticed too.? 

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"Looks like they approve of our dancing together," he said.? 

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"I guess so," I answered a little embarrassed. Later, we sat together for "wedding cake."? 

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"You know," Jeff said.?  "It was really something to see your mom and dad renew their wedding vows.? ?  Makes you believe in true love."

"I know," I said. "I had to beg mom to agree, but I know it was really special for them and for me too."

We sat in silence for a few minutes.?  Then Jeff took my hand and looked into my eyes.?  He said,

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"I really meant it when I said I never forgot you.?  The main reason I came here was to see you again.?  How about having dinner with me tomorrow night?"

As I watched my parents exchange a quick kiss in the golden glowing room, I felt transferred back so many years.?  Things felt so right.?  I turned to Jeff's familiar face and the fond memories of the fun we had together returned.? 

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"I'd love to," I smiled.

Carol J. Douglas
carol_jean_douglas@yahoo.com

~**~**~
Snow Man ? 

Carol J. Douglas

As Laurie gazed out of the picture window she grimaced.?  "Not more snow," she mumbled to herself. Sighing, Laurie turned from the window remembering a time when she adored snow. She always had a feeling of excitement when she watched it fall, hoping that it would snow enough to make deep, cold mounds to trudge through and be good for packing so that she could build a snowman with Dean.? 

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They would laugh at their handiwork, a snowman, wearing one of her gardening hats and holding an old straw broom in his tree branch hand.? ?  Then they would come inside and sip hot chocolate together in front of a cozy fire. But since divorcing two years ago, snow only represented the
tedious task of shoveling the driveway so she could back her car out the next day to go to work.? 

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Not only did she shovel her own driveway, but Laurie shoveled the one next door for her neighbor, Mrs. King, so the dear old woman would be able to get out if she needed to.?  Mrs. King was such a sweetie that Laurie really didn't mind helping her. The only problem was that her muscles usually screamed in protest when the job was done.? 

Sighing, Laurie pulled on her boots, wrapped a scarf around her neck and shrugged into her thick coat. After she pulled on the wool cap and mittens she felt like the abominable snowman, but at least she'd stay dry and warm.?  Going out through the garage, Laurie grabbed her shovel.?  As she stepped out onto the driveway, the eerie silence that a heavy snow brings gave her pause while she adjusted her eyes to the sight of her neighborhood blanketed in white.

Then she heard it;? the rhythmic scrape, scrape of another shoveler out there.?  Glancing next door,
Laurie was surprised to see a man shoveling Mrs. King's driveway.?  He was tall and she could see white snowflakes landing on his jet black hair as he methodically took great shovelfuls of snow off the old woman's driveway.? ?  'Who is he?' she wondered.?  Then she remembered that when she had taken a casserole over to Mrs. King a couple of weeks ago, the elderly lady had asked, "Have you met the new neighbor?"?  She was referring to the person who had moved into the house next door to hers on the opposite side.? 

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"No, not yet," Laurie answered.? 

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Mrs. King's eyes twinkled. "Well," she said conspiratorially, "he's tall, dark,
handsome, and single!"? 

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Laurie wanted to roll her eyes.?  This wasn't the first time her friend tried to nudge her toward a man.?  The poor dear thought Laurie needed a mate again.?  "Really?" Laurie said with a minor show of interest for Mrs. King's sake.? 

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Mrs. King nodded.?  "Wouldn't hurt a bit if you introduced yourself.?  Take him one of your delicious casseroles as a welcome to the neighborhood."? 

"I'll think about it," Laurie said smiling at the old woman.

Now as Laurie watched him shoveling Mrs. King's driveway she had the most incredible urge to pack a snowball, throw it at his back and shout,

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"Welcome to the neighborhood!"?  Chuckling, she began shoveling instead.?  As she worked, her thoughts drifted to the hot bubble bath she would treat herself to when she finished.?  Lost in thought, she jumped when a deep voice behind her said,

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"Hi!"

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," the deep voice apologized.? Laurie turned around and found herself looking into the most incredible brown eyes.? 

"Hello again. My name is Cameron.?  I live in the house next to Mrs. King."

"Nice to meet you Cameron," Laurie said pulling her scarf down to talk.?  "I'm Laurie and I live here," she gestured, "next to Mrs. King too!" She laughed.

"She's a great lady," said Cameron, "she tells me you make a mean chicken casserole!"

Laurie blushed and wondered what else Mrs. King had told him about her.

"It's very nice of you to shovel for her," she said.

Cameron laughed, "I'll shovel for you too if you'll give me a casserole!" he said.

"Deal!" said Laurie, and laughed.

Just then Mrs. King opened her front door waving to them and calling,

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"Cameron, Laurie, I see you've met! Come in for some hot chocolate when you're done."

Before either of them had a chance to reply, the door was shut.

"I guess we'd better speed this up then," said Cameron.?  He began shoveling Laurie's driveway.

"Oh, you don't have to do that!"?  Laurie protested.

"I don't mind," he grinned.?  "Besides, I want that casserole!"

Later, when they were cozily sharing hot chocolate, cookies, and laughter in Mrs. King's kitchen, Laurie found her melancholy mood melting away.?  She was really enjoying the company of her neighbors.?  Mrs. King served them with an air of satisfaction. Cameron made her laugh and Mrs. King was right about him being tall, dark, and handsome.?  When it was finally too late to stay any longer Laurie sighed and said, "Thank you for the hot chocolate and cookies Mrs. King, but I have to go now. Gotta go to work in the morning."

Cameron stood up.? ?  "Let me walk you to your door," he said.

Laurie laughed, "Thanks, but it's only next door!?  I can manage."

"Nonsense!" interjected Mrs. King.?  "A lady always should have an escort home in the dark."

Cameron smiled and Laurie wanted to roll her eyes.

"OK then," she said, "and thank you."

As they trudged through the snow to her house, Laurie felt a tingle inside.?  She had to admit that she hoped to see Cameron again.?  Chuckling to herself she thought about Mrs. King and her obvious matchmaking plan.

"Want to share the joke?" asked Cameron lightheartedly.

"I was just thinking about Mrs. King and her old fashioned ideas," said Laurie.

"I kind of like them," said Cameron as they reached her front porch.?  Then he added quickly, "She was right about one thing."

"What?" Laurie asked intrigued.

"A lady does need an escort home in the dark," he paused.? ?  "I'd love to escort you home Saturday night if you'll go out to dinner with me."

Laurie looked up in surprise.?  The warm brown eyes and winning smile were all she needed.? 

"I'd love to," she said.

"Great!" said Cameron with a big smile.?  "I'll pick you up about seven."? 

As Laurie went inside, she looked out her picture window and watched Cameron walking to his house. Funny, the snow didn't seem disappointing anymore. Now it looked magical glistening in the moonlight. 'Maybe I'll build a snowman tomorrow,' she thought smiling.

Carol J. Douglas
carol_jean_douglas@yahoo.com

Carol Douglas lives in Dublin, Ohio with her husband,
Jeff and their two children, Justin and Emelia.?  Carol
has had several children's poems published as well as
a romance story in Woman's World Magazine.?  Her new
book for children, Miss Millie Pede & Friends - Poems
& Riddles to Bug You! can be found on her website,
caroljdouglas.com.?  She and Jeff will be celebrating
their 25th Wedding Anniversary in May.

~**~**~

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~**~**~

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Readers Feedback

I've enjoyed reading this series about Darla. I know the pain you feel. I've been there. Probably why I prefer the company of animals to most people.

Arlene

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Carol, Just a note to let you know that I've enjoyed your thoughts on how Darla has affected your life both by being there and then leaving again.

People come into our lives for a reason and it's not always easy to let them leave once they find us. Dianna Doles Petry

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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; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Mazzella, Joe; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, 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, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy; White Robert;

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Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer ??“ moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator

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