Nana Shirleyruth’s Lovely Stories for Children, Teens, and Families

We are soft, We are loved, Touch Toes

It was evening and the stars outside brought soft light into this the children’s
room.

Three little stuffed animals talked while cuddled together in the little red rocking
chair by the open window. Teddy, (who was really a big old long haired, button-
eyed teddy bear), Pannie Bear,( who was really a fat but very tough Panda bear)
and Bunny, (a small orange rabbit with lovely orange eyes and a head that flopped
around, were best buddies They all stretched out towards each other saying their
most favorite words in the whole world. We are soft, we are loved, touch toes

They were cottony soft and huggable; everybody loved them. When their toes
touched it tickled but made them feel very brave. Close by, Eddie, Tommy and
Betty, the little people, slept in their own comfy beds. Most of the toys were
asleep also. Here in the children’s room all was quiet; all was peaceful.

What a day of adventure it had been. The three children and their favorite little
stuffed animals had spent the day rushing around a fairy castle, getting rid of bad
dragons that tried to steal the fairies away.

It all happened in the back yard under an enormous apple tree. Betty sat on a
wide royal swing with her dress flowing out to the grass below. We need peace
in this land, she had shouted. All bad dragons, go away, go away.
What happens next? Oh my!

Ally’s Song

While still in her cocoon, a butterfly named Ally received a beautiful angelic
message.

As she was starting to struggle out of her cozy home, she heard heavenly music and
a loving gentle voice, Little Ally, you have been chosen to bring joy to a very sick
little girl. Her name is Becky. You are to bring her beauty and delight as her time on
earth is short

In her tiny heart, Ally already knew her very own time on earth would be very short
also.
Here she could make her little one-day-life count. I want to help, dear angel. Help
me find Becky

As Ally spoke with the angel, she saw a vision of the bright magnificent heaven with
many angels hovering near. They were singing songs of love and adoration. I love
this and I want to sing these same beautiful songs, soft and high and magnificent

The angel reassured Ally butterflies really do have voices. This new little yellow
creature found her own song. It was sweet with a touch of heaven. Her sounds were
so soft only butterflies and very small creatures could have ever heard it.

Read what happened in a beautiful garden. You’ll love it!

Millie and Bess

It was Wednesday afternoon. Earlier that day a kind lady bought a surprise from
the Joy Store and had the secret protected in a wide yard of brown wrapping
paper. She chuckled to herself as she carried it home.

A new little doll with blue eyes that opened and closed tried to look very sweet as
she was unwrapped and placed on a golden velvet fringed pillow. There was
laughter and squeals of delight from seven year old Bess when she saw her
birthday present, a new doll. The girl’s little tears of happiness fell on the doll’s
face. Bess covered her with kisses all over her face and hands and toes. This
amazing gift doll enjoyed the wet surprise. Quickly she learned she enjoyed being
picked up and held; also, Bess’s soft squeezes seemed to be like real love and
promises of more love.
It felt so good to be loved that much.
Bess brought her into the play room where she received her own beautiful name,
Millie, and was then properly introduced to the toys and dolls who lived there.
She was even introduced to the big tabby cat, Rufus, who walked all around and
purred a nice welcome.

Millie looked around the play room. The other toys and dolls welcomed her and
let out a happy sigh when she came. People could not hear it, but Millie could,
and she felt this was where she belonged forever.

Nobody was perfect and Bess told all her toys and dolls that no matter what, she
saw them as perfect. So as they got a little worn or torn a bit, they were still all
princes and princesses to her. That made them feel good. Rufus knew he was
perfect anyway.
Now here is where the excitement begins. What very difficult thing happened?

Boston 1911

It was Boston in February 1911. There was a sprinkling of snow on the ground, not melting, just there. The day was freezing, clear with occasional breezes chilling all who ventured out. This was the long-awaited Saturday of the Methodist Youth rally. There was laughter and excitement in the air. Young people from Boston and the surrounding communities were planning to gather together to enjoy this experience. For many it was the highlight of the year.
All looked forward to joyful singing, Bible teaching, speakers, reports from missions trips, then lunch, games and contests led by the youth pastors. This was to be an all-day event for teenagers and for young men and women in their twenties.
Anita and her friends, Jennie and Ethel, took the trolley early that morning from Mattapan to the big Union United Methodist church near the Boston Public Gardens. The girls were only 15, but they had traveled this way many times before with their parents.
Anita kept saying, I could hardly sleep last night
Jennie added, I kept the kerosene lamp going on low all night I was so afraid I’d
be late and I just can’t miss all the fun. I love thinking about going all the way to Boston, just the three of us
I’ve had my outfit ready for days, Ethel added. I want to look nice and feel grown up. She smoothed her new bright blue scarf draped casually around her neck. Her matching gloves reflected her deep blue eyes; her long black wool coat was like a moving silhouette. Mom and Dad trust me as long as I stay close to both of you. They wonder if I could do something silly if I had a little too much freedom. They know all about my imagination She giggled and winked. But, I’ll be good
The girls were beautiful. They all had long wavy hair. Anita was dressed in rose and Jennie in white. They appreciated their wool coats that kept them toasty warm. They moved gracefully and locked arms after they stepped off the trolley. They loved being together. They had to keep each other from falling avoiding small patches of slick ice along the sidewalk.
Anita cried out, There it is!