ARMISTICE DAY

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

“In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.”

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Have we nothing learned of anything

As the years do come and fly?

Those men who lie in Flanders Fields,

Did they really have to die?

That was the war to end all wars

But we have nothing learned

We have fought again so many times

And bravery medals earned.

The Mothers gazed at photographs

Of their sons so brave and tall,

As they wiped the tears from their eyes

And remembered when they were small.

The knock at the door which brought the news

And told them what they already knew,

That their boys had paid the ultimate price

And they knew what they must do.

They went on with their lives and proudly waved

As the next generation marched away,

They held in their hearts the dreadful ache

And watched at the dawn of the day.

The years have passed and still they march

With the pride of their country their aim.

It’s not just a war but terrorism they fight

And freedom the thing that they claim.

They are young and full of life

And this the core of their story

That many come home – welcomed it’s true

But draped in their country’s glory.

We no longer leave them where they fall

We try to bring them home

We bury them in familiar ground

And no more will they roam.

The medals they won and the uniforms,

The letters and love from their heart

We have learned nothing from Flanders Fields,

It’s just like it was at the start.

©  Linda J. Vaughan

June 19^th. 2006

Good Morning - welcome to Saturday and eight weeks today it will be Christmas Morning which prompted me to post a Christmas thought today.
 I hope you enjoy it.

CHRISTMAS PONDERINGS

I love this Christmas Season

With all the joy it brings,

The holly and the mistletoe

And the carols that we sing.

Silver stars in a clear sky

And lights on a christmas tree.

Cooking smells from my kitchen

These things bring joy to me.

Christmas cards and ribbons,

People all a bustle,

Gifts to wrap and cards to write

Hearing the paper rustle.

Beautiful candles all aglow

A heart that still recalls

Those wonderful family times,

When children graced our halls.

Taking out special trinkets

And hanging them on the tree

Remembering other Christmases

When it was just you and me.

From two we became a family

And our own traditions did start,

The greatest of these I feel

Is love in the family's heart.

© Linda J. Vaughan

Enjoy it and enjoy the lead up to Christmas - every day is special.

Love and hugs,

Hi there - something a little melancholy from me this time, because that is how I have been feeling.  Over the last few days I have felt quite emotional about many things and sorting through my writing I found this and it brought me to tears, but I want to share it with you.

There is a story behind this one - but that's between the rose petals and me.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

I first saw you as a little boy

And held you in my arms,

I was captivated

By the measure of your charms.

You grew and needed me

To help you on your way.

The seasons passed too quickly

And soon had dawned the day.

The day you no longer needed me

To calm and allay your fears,

We had shared laughter and play

Sunshine and tears.

Child no longer – now you stand tall

Towering well above me.

 I realize that I must let you go ~

That I must let you be.

With tears in my eyes

I realize you have gone away.

That you have seen the dawning

Of your final day.

I know that you enjoyed life

And for everyone did your best.

We who loved you most of all

Must finally let you rest.

Roses – how you loved them!

And these my final gift to you,

Fragrant and sweet

And kissed by the morning dew.

I shall always remember you

And my memories will be sweet,

As I walk among the roses

Their petals at my feet.

© Linda J. Vaughan

July 26^th. 2009

Take care everyone and feel the love.

Love and hugs,

Linda.

"As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round." 

Ben Hogan 

Hi there - I am back again after a few busy days - this time to share something which I wrote seven years ago - I can't believe it is that long ago.

MORNING VISITOR

You came to me this morning

As I woke from a troubled sleep,

You wrapped your arms around me

And told me not to weep.

You came to me this morning

Before the day was here,

You touched my heart with gladness

You took away my fear.

You came to me this morning,

You breathed upon my skin.

My hair was damp from your touch

The filmy veil was thin.

You came to me this morning

And I took time aside,

You showed me many things

Such joy you could not hide.

You came to me this morning

And you were dressed in grey.

I am very pleased you came to me

At the start of this new day.

You came to me this morning ~

I felt I had been kissed

You came to me this morning  ~

You were the morning mist.

Linda J .Vaughan

1st July 2003

I shall try to be more diligent and post more often - I am not sure if it is because I am still recovering from major surgery or if it is because I am getting older, but it takes me twice as long to do half as much.

Love and hugs,

Sharing this piece with you all with a particular lady in mind - she knows who she is and I hope it helps her very much at this difficult time for her.

Let me comfort you.

No matter what your problem

Or how deep your pain,

I would like to comfort you

Until the sun comes out again.

I would like to share your burden

And walk beside you on the way,

Wrap loving arms around you

When the sky is cloudy and grey.

Don’t be afraid to show me

The depths of your despair,

Please feel that I am here for you,

And that I really care.

I will walk the stony path with you

Until the very end,

Even though we cannot see

What lies around the bend.

I’ll listen to your memories

Of days when skies were clear,

I’ll hold your hand and smile

And try to dispel your fear.

I’ll listen as you reminisce

About your pain and how life is changed

And how confused you now feel

Cause life’s been rearranged.

Shelter under my umbrella

Share the protection that it brings,

Feel an Angel close by you ~

Feel the touch of Angel wings.

The pain will ease, your heart will heal

And memory will be kind,

Allowing you to look back

On the best memories you could find.

© Linda J. Vaughan

20^th. April 2008

Love and hugs,

Linda.   

"And thou shalt be secure because there is hope".

 Bible

Hi there, I am sharing something I wrote about being Thankful - this was written before I became ill and I will write something similar about how I feel now that my transplant is over.

I AM THANKFUL FOR

I am thankful for the sunrise

Which reminds me once again,

That I am here to enjoy another day

Of sunshine or of rain.

For a table fully laden

A warm and comfy bed,

A soft and downy pillow 

Where I can lay my head.

For the privelidge of children

Now grown and on their way,

Taking care of others 

As they travel on their way.

Caring for a parent 

Whose life has brought its pain

Calling very often

To ask "How are you:?" again.

I am thankful for a cool breeze

At the end of a summer day,

For a river gently flowing

As it passes on its way.

I am thankful for a beach walk

With the sea spray in my hair

I give thanks daily for my friends

Who always show their care.

Thankful I am for work to do

To guide my idle hand,

I find joy when I see a crop of grain

Ripening on the land.

A shower of rain, a puddle to splash in,

Laughter and the touch of a hand,

These are things I am thankful for ~

The things that I think are grand.

© Linda J. Vaughan

November 2008

Love and hugs,

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give 

thanks for another day of loving."

Kahlil Kibran

In Australia we are heading into summer, but I wrote this in 2009 as we were in our Autumn and I share it now for those friends in the Northern Hemisphere for whom it is Autumn.

MISTS OF AUTUMN

Sitting at my desk

I look out across the scene,

The empty seat, the mists that rise

And I wonder what they mean.

I see her sitting there

And yet I know it cannot be.

For many years have gone

Since she walked with me.

I feel her tender touch

As she would take my hand and walk,

Sometimes in quiet solitude

And yet at times we would talk.

I look again and see her leaving~

But she was never in this place,

She turns and smiles at me

I remember her lovely face.

Seasons come and seasons go

The mists rise and fall,

Yet she visits me so often

Such memories I recall.

"Tis only in this season

When autumn chills the air

That she makes her presence felt,

And shows her tender care.

It is my favourite season

And I know she loved it too,

So we share a rendezvous,

In the mists and in the dew.

She was special in my life

And loved me like no other,

I am proud to see her in the mist  ~

My precious, much loved Grandmother.

© Linda J. Vaughan

May 3rd. 2009

Love and hugs,

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant

I am sharing something I wrote in 2008 - "I AM FROM....." - again written from my heart and written at a time of searching for me.

I am From....

I am from the Mountains

Where the wind whistles down the vales,

I am from the Celtic Chieftains

Who walked the hills of Wales.

I am from the cliff top

Where waves beat on the shore,

I am from the salt sea mist

That has been for evermore.

I am from the wild herbs and flowers

And from the wild mountain thyme,

From the songs and the music

The poetry and rhyme.

I am the Granddaughter of a coal miner

Who saw little of the sun,

Who clawed his way through tunnels

To see a battle won.

I am from the Rhondda Valley

Where life was very tough,

Where rest was very scarce

And hands were scarred and rough.

I am from Deganwy

Where tin was mined for work,

Where people were never afraid

Of long days of toil and work.

I am from the greenest grass

That grows on greenest hills,

Where the mountain streams

Run down in winding rills.

I am from the waterside

Where strong men build giant ships,

I am the daughter of a Shipbuilder

With a smile upon his lips.

I am the only daughter

Of a working family,

That traveled 13,000 miles

For a better life you see.

I am from The Salvation Army

With the bonnet and War Cry,

And still I work for its cause

And often wonder why.

I am from the oak tree and the willow

That grow on the River Dee Banks

I am from the daffodil

And for this I give great thanks.

I am from Chester ~

A city with great walls,

From Liverpool with its University

And learning in great halls.

I am a wife and mother

An Australian by choice,

I gave birth to two daughters

And freedom gives them voice.

I am a peace protester

Who dared to take a stand,

When conscripted boys where sent

To fight in foreign lands.

I am a member of Amnesty

And politics plays a part

In all the things I think of

And cherish in my heart.

I am a work colleague and receptionist,

A companion and a friend,

This is the story of my life

And will be until its end.

© Linda J. Vaughan

November 2008

Shared in trust and with love.


Love and hugs,