I CELEBRATE LIFE

I CELEBRATE LIFE

Today I celebrate life

With it's wonders and it's fears

I celebrate the joy it brings

And I celebrate it's tears.

The joy of early morning

When the dayspring is at hand

The friends I gather round me  -

The way that things are planned.

I celebrate each breath I take

And will ever thankful be

For the very gracious man

Who gave the gift of life to me.

Love is celebrated in my heart

With it's tenderness and pleasure

And those I love are dear to me

The greatest of life's treasure.

I celebrate the sunrise 

And the bird's sweet morning song,

The blue of skies above me 

How can I go wrong ?

I celebrate the ocean 

And the movement of the tide,

The pleasure of a seaside walk

Brings joy I cannot hide.

I celebrate the summer days

And the changing of the seasons

Music and laughter and kindness

I celebrate for many reasons.

The joy of winter nights beside the fire

Good company and a book to read,

I celebrate these special times 

When I have all I need.

I celebrate the chance I've been given

To reach out and hold another's hand.

To enjoy laughter and friendship 

With those from a different land.

We live in a world that's changing

And filled with trouble and strife

Despite the sadness around me 

I CELEBRATE MY LIFE.

©  Linda J. Vaughan

January 11th. 2013

THERE IS BEAUTY ALL AROUND YOU

BEAUTY ALL AROUND YOU 

There is beauty all around you 

Drink deeply of it's treasure

The sights and sounds of life itself

Enjoy in fullest measure.

The roses from the garden

Picked in early morning hours

The fragrant and velvet petals

This Queen of all the flowers.

The cool and gentle breezes

The clear blue skies above

A gentle hand to hold us

And eyes that show great love.

The salty tang of sea spray 

A gull's loud and plaintive call

Crisp and golden autumn leaves

Blown in piles against the wall.

Daffodils in springtime

A faithful dog at heel

The sound of sweet sweet music

That makes our senses reel.

The colour of the brown damp earth

The sound of tramping feet

Coffee in the morning

Smiles from those we meet.

Majestic mountains soaring

A river on the run

The rise and fall of ocean tides

The setting of the sun.

The stillness of the mist that rises

The puddles after rain

New buds and setting fruit

And fields of golden grain.

Apples on laden boughs

Strawberries in the patch

Tomatoes ripening on the vine

Bring joys that none can match

Time spent with loved ones

A letter from a friend

Warmth and love and laughter

Such joys that never end..

A book to read and savour 

A warm and cozy bed

A soft and downy pillow

Where you can lay your head.

The sound of laughter ringing

Times of silly play

Find the beauty all around you 

It is there in every day.

There is beauty all around you 

In photographs of days gone by 

Special memories returning

Without the need to try.

Absorb each special beauty 

Find the joy in little things

Celebrate the beauty 

Living daily brings.

© Linda J. Vaughan

October 2012

NO-ONE EVER MENTIONED

NO ONE EVER MENTIONED

No-one ever mentioned

The beauty I would see

When my life was changed 

And a gift was given to me.

I expected many changes ~

Better health and days,

I knew that I would learn

To understand these ways.

No-one ever told me

That tears would fill my eyes

That I would stand in wonder

Beneath the star filled skies.

I never really saw the beauty 

Of roses raindrop kissed

I've learned again the wonder

Of standing in the mist.

I saw again the sunset

And once more heard the rain,

Listened to the thunder storms

After days of pain.

No-one ever told me 

That I would feel so blessed

That family would be cherished

And friends would be the best.

No-one ever told me

That wonder would fill my heart

And that for me it would be

Like a brand new start

No one ever told me 

What joy would fill my soul

I am very glad to discover

The things that make me whole. 

© Linda J. Vaughan

26th. June 2012

GIFT OF LIFE GARDEN

GIFT OF LIFE GARDEN

I sat today in a garden

That is filled with many trees

It was a hot and steamy morning

With barely a gentle breeze.

Many other people had gathered

To pause, give thanks and reflect

To celebrate the gift of life

With dignity and great respect.

Families had gathered there

To quietly set time aside

There was warmth and friendship

And emotions they could not hide.

A donor family member spoke and shared

Her story of pain and grief;

A grateful recipient shared his story

Of gladness and great relief.

A rose was planted there today

For all the world to view

A tribute to those who cared and gave

This rose is named  "Thank You."

It is a sincere tribute to donors everywhere

Whose gift gives a second chance

For those who receive to live and love

To play and run and dance.

This garden's in a busy part of town

With a flight path overhead

Buses, people, trams and cars

All noisy as they swiftly sped.

It touched my heart to be there

And in spite of this world's troubles

Little children were quietly playing

And chasing pretty bubbles.

I thought of my donor

The man who gave me life,

I thought today of his family

I gave thanks for his special wife.

I remember him each and every day

And I quietly wiped a tear

Without this wonderful gift of life

I most certainly would not be here.

It's the perfect spot for this garden ~

A garden so beautifully placed

Gift of Life Garden it's name

A cherished and special place.

The noise and the hustle and bustle

Of the city's daily strife

Go on around this garden

And we celebrate the gift of LIFE.

© Linda J. Vaughan

19th. February 2012

I am constantly moved by the position of this Garden - it is right in the middle of life and that's what Organ and Tissue donation is all about.

PARK BENCHES HAVE THE BEST KEPT SECRETS

PARK BENCHES HAVE THE BEST KEPT SECRETS


They sit there in all sorts of weather
And the paint is often blistered,
The keepers of the secrets
Over time and ages whispered.
The same park bench used many times
By many generations
People from all around the world
From very many nations.

Oh if they could only talk
The stories they would recall
Of the days when little children
Would sit there after a fall.
Their mothers would sit and chatter
With babies asleep in their arms
Watching the children run and play
And keeping them from harm.


The children grew and life was changed
Then teenage sweethearts sat there
The Park Bench listened to the whispers
About the love and care.
Talk of the future was often spoken
And there were diamond rings,
A house, a car a family was planned
Among so many things.


Lovers now spend time there
On a quiet romantic tryst
Wondering who will see them
And if they will be missed.
The Park Bench holds the secrets
Of the man and woman there,
Leaves blow past and a cold wind blows
And chill is in the air.


A woman alone now shed her tears
The Park bench will softly sigh
The woman wonders why alone
The Park bench knows the reason why.
Park Benches have the best kept secrets
And can never ever tell
Over many generations
They have kept the stories well.


And older couple now sit there
With children at their side,
The Park bench recognizes them
And sees it as part of life's ride.
Seasons come and seasons go
Grandparents now spending time
The Park Bench keeps the secrets
Of the days of loss and pain.


A lonely figure slowly walks
And stops to breath again,
Faltering steps and a walking stick
Mean days of aches and pain.
She sits upon the Park Bench
Pours out her sorrow and grief
Life itself is very fragile
And the wind catches the leaf.


Park Benches have the best kept secrets
Of the love and the laughter and tears,
They have seen the generations
And listened to the outpouring of fears,
They have shared long lunches
Heard the hopes and plans and pain
In sunshine and in shadow
And in days of winter rain.


"Park Benches have the best kept secrets."


© Linda J. Vaughan
17th. February 2012

BECAUSE LIFE NEEDS AN ANCHOR

BECAUSE LIFE NEEDS AN ANCHOR

Because life needs an anchor
This promise I'll make
To stand right beside you
Should your world start to shake.
I promise to be there
When strong billows roll,
To hold you so gently
When life takes it's toll.

Because life needs an anchor
That anchor I'll be
I'll hold tight to your hand
As you're tossed on the sea.
I promise to listen
And hear of your pain
As the anchor rope tightens
And then starts to strain.

Because life needs an anchor
When winds start to moan,
I promise you comfort
As we listen to it groan.
I promise you victory
As you hold on to my hand
Because life needs an anchor,
Buried deep in the sand.

Because life needs an anchor
Should your boat begin to drift
I promise you safe harbour
When the sands of life shift.
I will light the stars for you
In a black and velvet sky
I promise you a safe journey
As the days of life go by.

Because life needs an anchor
A chart and compass too
Together let's take the journey
And view the horizon new.
Hear the lapping of the water
As the tides of life rise and fall
View the soaring of the sea birds
And hear their plaintive call.

Because life needs an anchor
Let's journey on together
With the salt sea mist on our faces
In fair and squally weather.
Three things to hold on to
Are love, hope and trust
Because life needs an anchor
Onward, together we must.

Because life needs an anchor
And a harbour in which to rest
I will be the harbour you return to
When life has put you to the test.
I'll ease the fears that beset you
Set you straight and stand you tall,
I will be the anchor of your life,
When your back's against the wall.

Because life needs an anchor.

© Linda J. Vaughan
February 14th. 2012