Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Special Treat – Sharon Bryant

June 27, 2006

Luck

Sharon Bryant

I was watching a TV show today about a family with four girls and two boys, a mother and a father.  The family lived a life behind closed doors that neighbors, other family members and friends knew nothing about.

The father was raping the daughters plus beating them.  He was beating the mother also.

I watched the faces as each told of the horror they had lived all their lives.   All lived in fear of this monster they called dad.

I thought about my own father.  I thought about the love he had always showed me, and my love for him.  I knew if anyone had ever tried to do anything to me or my siblings, my father would have beaten them half to death.

As I watched the faces on the family today, I thought of how lucky I've been to have never been exposed to such horrible things as this family had.

I thought about my siblings and how we would have done anything for our parents.  We remembered what all they had done for us.  I thought about how I feel about others, and I know I was taught to be kind and give a helping hand when needed if I could.

I thought again how lucky I've been.

I thought about an old friend I'd known for years and the step-father that raped her when she was fifteen-years-old.  At fifteen years old at the time myself, I tried to understand her pain. 

Again, I thought about how lucky I've been.

My mind began to think of so many things.  How lucky I was when the doctors got the cancer nine years ago.  And how today, each test I go through, the feeling of relief when they let me know everything is ok for another year.

I thought about parents that I have sat with in Children's hospital, holding onto their last shred of hope as their child lay dying.

In some ways, I was lucky to a point in that aspect.  I've lost a child, but I never had to watch my little guy suffer.  His death was sudden in a tragic accident.  Again, I was spared the agony of pain of seeing my child sick.

I thought about my mom and how lucky I was to have her for thirty-five years in my life.  I thought about more luck to have had my dad for 60 years of my life.  I remembered how lucky I was to have them for parents.

I thought about the soldiers who are wounded and lying in a military hospital somewhere in this country with limbs missing and some so depressed, it breaks your heart.  I thought about how lucky I am to have my two arms and hands and legs.

I thought about having my job with an income coming in.  Today a large denim plant in my state announced they are closing their plants next month.  Hundreds will be without jobs.  I thought of how lucky I am to have a job to go to.

Sometimes I get disappointed that my hair is turning gray and my age is showing.  Yet I think of how lucky I've been to work with the public, travel and see so many things in life.  I thought about the wonderful folks I've met in my lifetime and the many friends that I have made along the way.

I thought about my two remaining children.  One getting married this winter and how lucky I'll be to see my child take a mate, and if I'm real lucky, perhaps I'll get to see a grandchild before it's my time to leave this earth.  I thought of how lucky I am to have two beautiful children whom I helped shape and mold into who they are today.

I thought about the homeless, victims of hurricanes who have nothing left.  I know how lucky I am to have a home to call my own, a little yard to keep up, and spring flowers to look at.

Looking back on my life, I guess I've been pretty lucky.  And if I had it to live over again, I don't think I would change anything.  I would want the same parents, the same siblings, the same kind of life.

There were times in my life when I didn't think I was always so lucky.  There were times I was so down and depressed I didn't know if I could make it until tomorrow....but with luck, I made it.

Sometimes we miss some things on our path of life.  Sometimes we don't stop to think of all those who have not been as lucky as we have.  Sometimes life seems to pass so quickly and we get so busy, we don't stop long enough to smell the roses.  I do that now.  I love to stand in my yard and look around at the trees I've planted in memory of my father, my beloved dog Pokey, my son, and I realize just how lucky I was to have them in my life. 

If my luck keeps up, I know I've still got more to do. 

Next week I will be taking a big bag of stuffed animals to a hospital to give to the blood department for children who are afraid to be in the hospital.  A teddy bear or a stuffed dog always does the trick and helps take their mind off the tests they are going through.

Sometimes God closed a door on me, but I always found a window open somewhere that He left for me to see.  I've learned to have strength to help me get through the tough times in life.  I learned how to climb through that window.

I feel I've been very lucky.

Sharon Bryant

1946@bellsouth.net