Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

June 16, 2006

Fathers Day Stories

Today’s announcements

This came in from David a few minutes ago...

Hi Mom,

Nikki is feeling better, no vomiting since last night. They are definite that she has GVHD of the GI and they are giving her small doses of steroids. She is only having a few cramps and diarrhea right now. She might be in the hospital for the week, it just depends on how quick she can get back to solid foods and pills instead of IV fluids. They will get the test results back anywhere from Monday to Wednesday. I will keep you posted.

She will get the laptop back tonight but I'm, not sure how many times she will check her email.

Please don't forget to take care of you....Love you,

your son, David 

Now onto the good stuff

Today’s Fathers Day Stories

~**~**~

~**~**~

TO LOVE A STRANGER

Leeuna Foster

On legs that are unsteady, faltering, I shoulder my way across the crowded room.

The air is thick with the scent of flowers, perfumed bodies and that unique yet indefinable smell one always associates with this place.

I draw a deep breath, feeling as though I will suffocate. My hands shake as I try to ignore the whispered remarks that ripple through the crowd.

“Who is SHE? What is she doing here? She is his daughter you know.”

His Daughter! The phrase echoes through my brain with an empty hollow sound, like that of a tin can rolling down a deserted alley. I try to swallow around the tears crowding my throat.

I came here tonight seeking answers to questions I have carried around inside me forever–questions to which I know there are no answers, yet I keep asking them anyway.

Where were you all those years ago, throughout all the skinned knees, scraped elbows, all the broken promises and all the Christmases that never came?

Where were you when I needed a strong male shoulder to cry on after my heart had been broken by a boy that first time?

Where were you on my wedding day when there was no father to give the bride away? You had already given me away the day I was born.

Why did you go away? Was I lacking in some way, unworthy of a father’s love?

I recall the year I was six. For our last Art project of the year, our class chose to make special greeting cards to give to our dads for Father’s Day. I remember copying from the girl sitting next to me. I had no idea of what to write on the card nor how to illustrate it, for you see, I had no knowledge of the role a father plays in a little girl’s life. I was ashamed to tell anyone that I had no father to give the card to, so I brought it home to Mama. I was reluctant to throw it away because I still waited secretly for the day you would return.

Throughout my childhood, I never grew tired of hearing the story of the handsome stranger who swept the beautiful lady off her feet, gave her a year of happiness and a little girl, before he disappeared, taking her heart with him and leaving her and the child all alone.

I longed to meet the handsome stranger in the story. I often dreamed you would return and the story would end like a fairy tale. And the handsome stranger, the beautiful lady and the little girl would live happily ever after.

But little girls grow up, fairy tales fade away and dreams have a way of wearing thin when pitted against reality.

Many times I wished you dead. Better that you had died than to have left us of your own free will, by some choice that you alone made, never giving a thought to the child you left behind.

Did you never long to know me as I longed to know you? Did you never wonder what I would grow up to become?

Perhaps we were more alike than either of us knew. Perhaps we were each waiting for the other to make the first move, both of us fearful of being rejected.

Even without your ever knowing me you have taught me many things. Things such as how to stand on my own two feet, because you were never there for me to lean on. I also learned through the years to accept whatever life hands me and to make the best of it, since you weren’t there to help sooth away my disappointments. Your absence in my life has also taught me how to be a better parent to my own children, how to be there for them whenever they need me.

Now tonight as I stand here I see a stranger’s face. A stranger surrounded by white satin, his head resting on a silken pillow. You lie there with hands folded and eyes shuttered, as though in sleep. I wonder who you really are, other than a name on my birth certificate. I am filled with guilt because I cannot truly grieve for your passing. I feel only regret for never having known you. I feel a deep sadness, for I know now, I never will.

From my pocket I remove a piece of worn, yellowed paper, folded in the shape of a greeting card. The edges are tattered and the paper is brittle with age. The crayon drawing has faded through time, but I can still make out the shape of a man holding the hand of a little girl. The childish scrawl across the top is almost illegible, but I know what I wrote there all those years ago. Ever so gently, I place the card by your side.

I came here tonight seeking answers and I have found peace at last. Perhaps we both have; you in your eternal slumber and I in the realization that it wasn’t my unworthiness that made you go away. It was your fear of love, of commitment, of the sometimes choking ties that are all a part of being a parent.

I bear you no malice. I no longer carry any bitterness in my heart, for I have come to realize that happiness and bitterness cannot exist within the same realm. My one regret is that this understanding came too late for us. Before they close the coffin, I lean down and kiss your cheek softly–-for the first time–-and the last time.

Goodbye Daddy. Rest in Peace.

 Leeuna Foster

leeuna@earthlink.net

Leeuna Foster is a Marketing Strategist, Author and Poet. She has been writing for two decades and her short fiction and poetry have won several national and regional awards. You can visit her website at: http://www.southernfriedwriters.com

~**~**~

DAD

Stella Thompson

Grabbing hold of any one was hard enough for Joe but
immediately "DAD" decided to fly out to the United
States of America ... there was nothing but tears and
tremendous sobbing.

"But" I interjected"  "Lad! he will be back in a
trice" ... his little heart was broken.  His Dad had
gone off without him and left him in the care of
mother and family! 

Proud moments of reflection ... how many times "DAD"
packs the overnight bag and stuffs his briefcase full
of papers for work ... the little lad is standing in
his shadow watching his every move.  Are we setting up
an image of "DAD" walking out I used to invite my
friends to comment.

Mother would arrive dressed up for the occasion ...
and teacher would console the Lad but really teachers
are the sort of stuff that heaven is made of ... they
talk in circles of poetry ... images and metaphors and
are not at all like "DAD".

Was "DAD" affected by his son's obvious distress at
his immediate departure for necessary work OVERSEAS!
Probably not!   Our colleagues suggested "putting his
name down for school straight away!  "Well"  I
replied: "you are a colleague like myself who has
become used to "thinking on your feet" ... It was one
way out of "leaving the boy behind"  In no time at
all, he would be old enough to go to BIG SCHOOL as a
boarder and then he could take all this coming and
going in his stride!

Father's Day, on that occasion, seemed to be a round
the year event!  Though we did try to celebrate
everything on the exact date just like all our parents
and teachers!


Happy Father's Day Lads!

SM THOMPSON:
email:  smtompson@yahoo.com

Poetry Section

~**~**~

I Know You Are Near

Janice Finley

Five years and two days ago, God took you to be His angel;
We know you are in Heaven and feel your presence each day .
We know you are near, in our hearts, souls, minds.
When we are outside, you are there.
We talk with you daily, and look up and feel your love.
You left us with love, knowledge, and morals.
Hard work, honesty, truth surely
Earths' loss is Heavens gain.
WE  WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND ALWAYS MISS YOU ,DADDY.

Your Loving Family…

Copyright ©2006 JANICE-Tomerlin Finley

finleyj@otelco.net

~**~**~

FATHER'S  PLAN ~  OUR  SUCCESS
by  Mary Carter Mizrany

It  is  NOT  our  Father's  plan  for  us  to  FAIL !
It  is  NOT  His  plan  for  evil  to  prevail  in  our  lives.
God  declares  in  His  Word ~ "I  form the  light,
and create darkness:  I  make  peace,  and  create
evil:  I  the  Lord  do all  these  things.  Isaiah 45:7

Be  not overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil
  with  good.  Romans  12:21

Father's  plan is  for  OUR  SUCCESS !!!
He  provides  what  we  NEED  TO  SUCCEED !
Oh,  bless His  Holy  name  forevermore !

Sometimes though, we find ourselves in the
midst of  failure.  We make wrong choices; we
get ahead of or behind God.  

There are so many distractions in this life.
Sometimes  our  heads  get  all  awhirl; sometimes
confusion  rears  its ugly  head  and  it  seems
overwhelming  when  we're  bombarded  with  EVIL
reports.   BUT,  our  Father  IS  on  HIS  THRONE
and  HE  is  the  ONE  upon  whom  we  depend  to
keep  us  in  perfect  peace  whose minds  are
stayed  upon  HIM.   Our  Father  desires  us  to
seek  His  face  in  the  midst  of  it  all.   The Bible is God's
Love Letter to us.   He reminds us to study his Word to show ourselves
approved.

Our Father does not leave us alone with no direction.
His Word is a LIGHT unto our path.    He tells us ~ 'This is the way,
walk ye therein!'

Ask  Father  to reveal to you His special plan for your life ~ HE WILL:-)

HE  knoweth the  way  that  I  take;  and  when  he  has  tried  me,
I  shall  come  forth  as  gold.   Hallelujah !!!

~**~**~

" PRECIOUS  PROMISES "

Mary Carter Mizrany

Promises  sacred 
'writ  in  His  blood ...
kept  through  the  fire
famine  and  flood  ~

JESUS  so  near
those  broken  of  heart ...
promising  ne'er  from
us  to  depart   ~

Beauty  for  ashes
of  dreams  gone  in flame ...
Garment of  Praise
to  worship  His Name  ~

Refreshing  of  spirit
when  soul  is  cast  low ...
Ointment  of  Gladness
that  JOY we  may  know  ~

Lighting  our  pathway
should  darkness  assail ...
eyes  full  of  Mercy
whose  LOVE  shall  prevail  ~

JESUS  our  Champion
Lord,  fairest  of  ALL ...
kept  by  His  Promises
Ne'er  shall  we  fall !!!

©Mary Carter Mizrany
March ~ 2003

~**~**~

"SHE DID'NT KNOW I LISTEN'D"

Mary Carter Mizrany

      She didn't know I  listen'd
    as her soul~cry filled the air . . .
  Oh, but this was not the first time
  I'd   heard my mother's   prayer ~

     For in her weariness & pain
each night on God she'd   call . . .
Before her eyes would close in sleep
"Dear Father, BLESS THEM ALL" ~

   Then she'd name us one by one
on His Altar our needs   place   . . .
And she would pray the strangest prayers
words time can   ne'er erase ~

  "Help me be a loving father"
I just could not believe my ears . . .
"I fear they're missing so much, Lord"
she'd whisper through her tears ~

   "Lord, I   can't throw a baseball
   Nor   tie   a   sailor's   knot . . .
   Can't   whittle or shoot marbles, Lord
   What he  needs, Father, I   ain't got" ~

    "Strong arms is what my girls need,
    Lord, so they'll   feel   so   secure . . .
    A   daddy's   point of   view, sweet Jesus
    You understand me,   I am   sure" ~

   "Mother's can do only half the job
   No   matter how hard we try . . .
   Their dad left so many years ago
   Lord . . . I've  never known just why" ~

     "Before too long it's Father's Day
    And I'll see their tear~dimm'd eyes . . .
    They'll   wait again expectantly, Lord
     Disappointment they just can't disguise" ~

    "OH, help us, Lord, to be thankful for
    Our   blessings" ~ I'd hear my  mama pray . . .
    In   the matchless name of Jesus Christ"
    As she'd  brush  the   tears   away ~

       Many years have passed since then
      Mama's hair is no longer   gold . . .
      Her children left "the nest" years ago
      Ah ~ what sweet memories   we hold ~

      God must have heard  mama's prayers
    ‘Cause He   answered them one by one   . . .
     She's still the   BEST   mama AND daddy
     Who e'er raised three daughters & a son !

                     Mary Carter Mizrany
                           June 6, 2003
    
Dedicated, with love to all mothers who have
or are raising children without any help from
the fathers.   There are SO many!   Let us always
remember them in our prayers, that Father will
provide and meet every need in their lives.
   GOD   BLESS YOU PRECIOUS MOTHERS !
                   Love &   BIG warm hugs
                               From
                        Jesus & Maryxo
Mary  Carter  Mizrany
founder of On Wings of Faith Ministries
website: www.onwingsoffaith.com
resides in Humble, Texas 
email:  musingbymary@aol.com

Readers Feedback

I love Dianna Doles poetry, her writing style, very good writer, Shelly

There is a special place in Heaven, ( Story by Jane Olivia) near the Rainbow Bridge, for people like Tina who help those furry friends as well as their family.
Thanks
Mark Crider
Raffish Raconteur

To Dear Joyce Lock!

Thank you for your courage in writing about a huge lack and need in our Chrisitan churches!
I, too, and I suspect many others out there, have, over all my years (not counting!) experienced similar. Why do we so often forget that "Jesus Chist came into the world to SAVE SINNERS!" Why did He say that His followers are known by their works? Why did James write that without works our faith is dead? Why did it take a despised Samaritan to give us -- for all time -- the example of who our neighbor really is?!

Amen to your stories and essay!
The greatest gift is Xaritas -- not "charity", as we translate it, but caring love!

In Christ,
Vance Agee

Prayer Requests and Updates

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

                                     Chief researcher/historian: Hartson Dowd

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Booher, Paula; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria;

Dowd, Hartson; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Gold, Ron; Goodier, Steve; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Henry, Linda Ann; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; 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;

Wainland, David; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator