Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

Special Treat – Magdalena James

July 10, 2006

From the Time He Was Young

I Believe

Hope you are well . . .

Mags

From the time he was young:

by

Magdalena James

Don't step here.

Don't touch that.

Say it this way.

Don't talk now.

Why aren't you eating?

Go to your room.

Where are you?

Come here.

Was I talking to you?

Who are you?

What kind of grade is this?

Who are those kids?

Why are you with them?

Mind your manners.

Who's the adult here?

This is how you pray.

You will do as I say.

I love you.

Shame on you.

Who taught you that?

Shut up.

Get back here!

Who do you think you are?

You are too young for that.

Mind your own business.

I don't have time right now.

I love you.

You are so clumsy!

Where are you going?

Clean up your room.

You are the child in this house.

You are too old for that.

Act your age.

Who do you think you are?

Turn that music down.

Get back here!

Get back here right now.

If this door closes, it won't open again.

I love you.

Good-bye.

Years later:

He stood before her. He reached for her and she for him. They embraced and while the soundless room swayed, they in turn swayed with it. The rhythm was their heart beat. Their feet shuffled in tiny unrecognized dance steps. Their pace was in keeping with their love, slow and consistent and determined, filled with giggles and calm. He stood back for a moment, and smiled at his child. She reached up with tiny fingers and traced his brows. "Daddy? Who taught you to dance?"

I Believe . . .

by

Magdalena James

i believe in peace and compassion

i believe in hope

i believe that no matter how bad things can be, they will get better

i believe arguments are for idiots and that even the most confused and ignorant person knows how to compromise

i believe that pride won't sweeten my life or my coffee

i believe in love

i believe in the difference between true love and true lust and that true love lasts longer

i believe that God gave me the tools i need to help me survive in this life and that He doesn't come down to fight my battles

i believe overcoming adversity sometimes makes me stronger but most times it just makes me tired and that i'm not a better person for it, but rather, i become more complete

i believe in friendship when it counts - and when it doesn't, i believe in it even more

i believe that angels exist in the shape of kindness

i believe in knowing when to continue and when to quit with dignity intact

i believe in practicing the things i teach and that belief is what makes me who i am

i believe that no matter how much time i have left in this world i will leave a positive mark on all who come into contact with me and i will smile during my exit

Magdalena James resides in northern Ontario where she lives her dream of assisting writers, both young and old, in publication. She is owner/publisher of Wynterblue Thunder Publications, www.wynter.ca and publishes a bi-monthly literary magazine Wt~ Blue Sky Region (hard copy) which is sold by subscription. Maggie is a published author and her book is being used in several schools across the north to help identify signs of abuse in students. Her book, “My Firefly” by Karin Brideau ISBN: 0-9731911-5-5 has been sold out and is currently being looked by a publisher for reprint. Aside from using several pseudonyms over her 34 year publishing career, she is most consistently known as Maggie the Magpie. Fortunately she still knows who she is and what she was put on this earth to accomplish!

Maggie can be contacted at wt@wynter.ca