Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

June 19, 2006

Fathers Day Stories

Today’s Fathers Day Stories

~**~**~

~**~**~

 A New Tradition

Lynne Stevenson

Pugsmom37@aol.com

Last year my husband, son, and our best friend were treated to a Father's Day luncheon at our local Golden Corral. First thing off of the bat, my husband is a step father and never had any biological children of his own. I told him that his Father's Day celebration was courtesy of our three Chinese Pugs, Maggie, Bubba, and Samantha and our two grandpugs, Ed and Missy. He loves them every bit as much as if they had been two legged children instead of four legged fur babies.

      My grandpug, Missy, has always considered my son to be her "Mama," even though her canine mother still lives with us. I told him that his Father's Day luncheon was courtesy of Missy, since she considers him to be both mother and father. He lived in Louisiana for almost a year and Missy had a hard time with separation anxiety, eventually becoming attached to my husband. Whenever my son comes over to use the computer and raid the refrigerator, Missy stays under him and sleeps at his feet until he leaves to go home. Then she comes and climbs in the bed with her grandparents to go to sleep. But she still considers Mike to be her "Mama" even though she doesn't sleep with him at night any more.

      Robert, our best friend is a single father whom has been raising four children by himself for the last four years and working a full time job. I told him that his Father's Day luncheon was courtesy of his children since they wanted to do something for him but just didn't have the means. His kids range in age from 14 to 9, two boys and two girls, and they give him fits. We try to help him out as much as we can with them, but we know its not easy.

      This year our Father's Day celebration will include one more person. My aunt just got remarried on March 26th and we are going to include her husband, R.J., into the group this year. My own father died in May of 2004 and I consider my aunt to be my mother, since my mother died in 1997. Don't know if we are going to Golden Corral this year, but it will be a hoot, no matter where we go.  There are four fathers in our family now and they will know how much they are loved and appreciated on their special day!

      Thanks,

      Lynne Stevenson 

pugMOM37@aol.com

~**~**~

I'm Not a Spoiled Brat

Carol Meeks

My four brothers think of me as a spoiled brat, but I know better.  My dad
spanked me when I was a high school Senior, and  I still remember that night
even though moons of forty-two years have come and passed.  And I must say
it was an ego destroyer.

"Come right in." Dad said as he graciously opened the door for me and my
date.  "Do you know what time it is?"

"No sir."

"I think it is time you said good night.  Actually, it is time to say good
morning."

"Yes sir."

"And young lady, I'm going to tan your hide."

"Oh Daddy...no."

"Don't oh Daddy me."

So you see, I'm not a spoiled brat as my brothers say.  I didn't think I
deserved a spanking either.  After all, I was a Senior in high school but my
dad didn't see any humor in me getting home from a basketball game after
midnight.  My four brothers always have to bring this subject up in front of
my boys, so I'll never live it down.  My boys laugh with them and it adds
some painful, youthful memories.

Dad's way of life was stern, but you knew when to stop.  On this occasion, I
just knew he would be asleep.  I never dreamed he would be so kind as to
open the door for us and welcome us inside the house.  That was the last
date with Mr. Bravery.  He never had the nerve to come or call me again. 
After two years of dating, my dad scared him off.  It probably saved me a
divorce later in my life, and for that, I have almost been grateful.  As I
said, his ways were stern.  Sometimes I was a slow learner, but his
hard-nosed being kept me out of a lot of trouble during my growing-up years.
  I would not have the spouse of forty-one plus years if my dad had not
cared enough to implement the values he put forth for me.

I remember another big date I had and almost blew.  If I had been spoiled as
my brothers say, it would have been a really grand night of getting my way. 
It was my Junior-Senior Prom and all my friends were going to Albuquerque
after the dance.

"Daddy, please can I go?  We are going to eat breakfast and then come home."

"Do you realize how late you'll be getting home?"

"Yes sir."

"I don't think so.  That is sixty miles over there, sixty miles back, and at
least an hour and a half to eat.  We re looking at 6:00 in the morning."

"I know, but everybody is doing it."

"No, not everybody, cause you're not.  End of discussion."

If it had been true,  I was spoiled as my brothers said, my dad would have
told me to go have fun but be careful.  And me with that slip of the tongue,
I knew not to say "everybody's doing it,"  which meant not everybody 'cause
I was home after the dance.  See.  I wasn't a spoiled brat.  I think of
these two events every Father's Day.  It was pain at the time, but that pain
allowed me the blessing of a wonderful spouse, and he would not have looked
my way, if I had got my way back then.

© 2006 Carol Dee Meeks
c_pmeeks@hotmail.com
http://home.midsouth.rr.com/kmhomepage/homePage.html

Poetry Section

~**~**~

 "A FATHER'S HEART "
Mary Carter Mizrany
                                 

A father's heart
                                Holds many things . . .
                           To help his children grow ~

                             Strength, yet tenderness
                                Wisdom & LOVE
                       Unique ways of letting us know ~

                                   How special we are
                                        In his eyes . . .
                           That sparkle with such delight ~

                                  When children reflect
                                Those lessons he teaches . . .
                      The difference between wrong & right ~

                                    A father's heart
                                    Must also listen . . .
                           For words oft' left unspoken ~

                                 Read between the lines
                                            Of the child . . .
                          Whose heart's been sadly broken ~

                            Then with great understanding
                                       A Father's Heart . . .
                               With such great gentleness ~

                                      Bathes the wounds
                                 With healing balm . . .
                           That every child needs for redress ~

                                    Supplying the answers
                              To his children's questions . . .
                                  Not always easy to find ~

                                        Digging within his
                                  Great store of knowledge . . .
                             Values of spirit and mind ~

                                        What deep respect
                                     And such gratitude . . .
                                A child must always impart ~

                                           To be SO blessed
                                      Throughout our lives . . .
                        By what lives in A FATHER'S HEART !

                                           Mary Carter Mizrany©
                                                   June 1, 2003
musingByMary@aol.com
                                      Dedicated to ALL dads on
                                            FATHER'S DAY
                                                    2006

                                May THE FATHER of ALL mercies
                               Continue to bless and guide you, dear
                                          fathers, is our prayer.

~**~**~

My Most Precious Father

Linda Ann Henry

My most precious Father

Your great love is in my soul

Every part of me, you created

I see you in the blue sky

Which you made for me

In the stars at night

I see your face and smile

My most precious Father

I wish to kiss your beloved feet

Whenever I need you

All I do is smell the fragrant air

Watch the promise of a rainbow

Listen to the proud owl

The birds you made to share

I see the little children

Whom you care for above all

You who wrote the greatest poem

In "The Lord's Prayer"

Who let the angels sing

In moonlight's glow

My most precious Father

I look at this world and see the beauty

You alone have painted

Wherever I go

Everything is Your creation

You died because You loved me

Eternal life became your gift

I pray now in gratitude

You accepted me into your heart

My precious Father

No one cares for me like You

My soul which You created

Is your everlasting love

I could not have a better Father

Than the one I see in heaven above

Linda Ann Henry © 2006

Do you remember me

The people's poet

Linda11231949@aol.com

~**~**~

To My Dad

Linda Ann Henry

I may not remember you

For I was very small

My adopted mother took me

So you did not see much of me at all

I was your little miracle

You were my very own

Yet you did not see me

Or hold me when I called

Yet I am proud Dad

That I now have my chance

I never got to play with you

For I was far away

In a home I often puzzles

Why am I just this way

When I finally found you

You were so happy and gay

We talked and talked

Until I had an idea

Of the strength in me you gave

So I want to thank you Dad

I know God will let us meet

Please stay well

I know you can make it

Life can sure be neat.

Linda Ann Henry

Do you remember me

The people's poet

Written for my father, James Stallery

Readers Feedback

Thanks Carol

I am honoured to be among the Senior Writers.  Hope to keep up.  You are amazing to be able to keep this going.  Congratulations on having over 1700 subscribers.  I know it keeps you hopping.  Thanks for your effort and God bless you.

Helen

www.occupytillicome.com

 I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING MY PAIN. SOME PEOPLE TELL ME I SHOULD NOT GRIEF BECAUSE I WAS A NEW BORN THE LAST TIME HE HELD ME. HE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE AND THE PUZZLE AND LOST OF ADOPTION I WAS IN.

SO I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW MY NAME MAY BE LINDA ANN HENRY BUT PART OF MY SOUL WILL ALWAYS BELONG TO JAMES SLATTERY.

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; Dowd, Helen; 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