THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

Let's love the children of the world

And hold them in our arms

Let's cherish them and let them feel

We are captured by their charms.

A peaceful world for them I hope,

And days when swinging is fun,

A comfortable bed and safe place

For them when day is done.

Parents love and Family care

A home that's filled with love,

A cherished safe and special place

Blessed by Heaven above.

Calm voices and sweet music

A special tender touch,

Let's let them feel that they are loved

Oh so very much.

Children have no voice 

And cannot ask to be born,

Let us examine our hearts

As we face another dawn.

Let's be a nurse when they are sick,

A teacher when they're learning,

Let's provide them with shelter

And the things that they are yearning.

Let's teach them very special things

The things to say and do,

To blow kisses to each other

To say that "I love you."

Let's read them bedtime stories

And the wonder of the skies,

And hope that we can see the magic

In their smiles and in their eyes.

Let's make them fairy cakes,

And hold their little hands,

This should be happening

In homes in all the lands.

Let's protect them as they travel

And hold their hands really tight

Let's sing away the things that scare them

In the darkness of the night.

They are such a special gift

Given to us in trust,

We must give them of our best

Yes - indeed we must.'

Let them splash in puddles

And feel the wind in their hair

Let them squash the sand between their toes,

Please tell them that you care.

Those little fingers and tiny feet,

The sunshine of their smile,

Remember they are children

For such a little while.

Hold them very close 

Provide a pure sweet place,

Remember that we are blessed

By their presence and their grace,

Let's love the children of the world

And hold them in our arms

Let's cherish them and let them feel

We are captured by their charms.

© Linda J. Vaughan

September 2007

"Let them laugh, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle.

Just let them be little."

LITTLE GIRLS TO WOMEN

LITTLE GIRLS TO WOMEN

I’ve watched you play beside the sea,

Splash in the water and play in the sand,

I’ve watched you grow from girl to woman,

And I have held your hand.

I have seen you run, jump and skip

And play upon the sand.

I have watched you splash the water

With the wind blowing your hair,

I hear your laughter and it brings to mind

How very much I care.

Now when you walk beside the sea

It is another hand you hold.

I hear your laughter once again

Bringing warmth to days of cold.

I gave you roots to anchor you

And wings for you to fly,

I rejoice and wish you happiness

But sometimes sit and sigh.

I know that you still need me

But in different ways for sure

I see you take responsibility

And I couldn’t love you more.

I see you walking different paths

With steps that are strong and sure

My life is very different

From what it was before.

I see the tender smiles you give

To the ones who hold your hand

I hear your laughter ringing

It is, as it was planned.

I see you walk together

And watch your warm embrace

I see the love light dancing

On your sweet and lovely face.

© Linda J. Vaughan

17th. February 2012

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

MY JOURNEY

MY JOURNEY 

I have seen the stars at night

In a black and velvet sky

I have watched the moonbeams dance

And heard the river sigh.

I have stood in wonder

By the ocean as she heaves

I have splashed in puddles

And kicked through autumn leaves.

I have felt the love of family

Of  friends who care so much,

Who reach out to me in kindness

With loving tender touch.

I have faced my own mortality

With icy chill and fears,

And held the hand of someone

Who wiped away my tears.

I have faced the morning

When night shadows were all gone,

Made again the promise to myself

That I would steadily go on.

Gentle nursing hands have held me

And catered to my need

A friend's love has held me sway

And I am blessed indeed.

I've walked a stony pathway

With brambles and with thorns,

Dark nights have been upon me

Followed by the dawns.

Yet there is joy within my journey

And my days have been so sweet

For there were stars above me

And petals beneath my feet.

I have been tried and tested

And yet I journey on

With hope and with great courage

To see the battle won.

The joy is in the journey

And happy are my days

And I'm blessed with you beside me

With your sweet and winning ways.

©  Linda J. Vaughan

July 12th. 2012

MY CHRISTMAS AND ALL YEAR GIFTS TO YOU

MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR YOU

Once again its days of paper

And ribbons of every hue.

There are some things that I can’t wrap~

And these are my gifts for you.

Patience with a loved one

Who tells the same story again and again.

Just the calm to sit and listen

To take away some pain.

Tolerance with those whose opinions differ

And contradict our own.

The ability to accept these things~

To see how much we’ve grown.

Acceptance of days that are not the way we wish,

Understanding that some things cannot be.

Learning to live with these constraints,

Learning to find the real “me”

Love – so many ways I want this gift for you

The childlike love of flowers in a chubby hand.

The love of children, friends, family and

One special one who says “I understand.”

Peace – calm and easy carefree days

For you and for your world.

Days in the sun and for you to see

Freedoms glorious flag unfurled.

Friendship is a special gift

That binds two hearts as one.

The quiet harmonious times that come

To us when day is done.

So these gifts I bring to you~

I offer them with love.

They are wrapped in Heaven’s special care

Truly a gift from above.

©  Linda J. Vaughan

THOUGHTS ON LOVE

THOUGHTS ON LOVE 

You tell me that you love me 

And that you'll faithful be

Shelter me with your love

Place your arms around me.

Let me feel the love you promise

As your hands reach out to touch

Let me hear you tell me 

That you love me very much.

Let me see your tender smile

Hold my hand while out walking

Even though you may not agree

Please listen when I'm talking.

Try to understand me 

Let's laugh, dance and cry

Please accept me as I am 

And that I always try.

Stand beneath the moon with me

And stroll upon the shore,

Tell me this is how it will be

From now until forevermore.

Gather stars for me to wear

As a garland in my hair,

Wipe away my tears gently

To show that you still care.

Let's sit in gentle candlelight

And let the shadows glow,

Let me see the love in your eyes

So that I'll always know.

Raise a glass or two with me

Let's taste the sweet sweet wine,

Spend gentle peaceful hours with me

In love that's so sublime.

Kiss me in the daylight 

For all the world to see

That out of all this wide world

You have chosen me.

Let this be the dream come true

And let our days be sweet,

With such love and tenderness

Our lives will be complete.

© Linda J. Vaughan

July 2012

ENGAGEMENT CONGRATULATIONS

ENGAGEMENT CONGRATULATIONS

May love and laughter live with you

Throughout the length of days,

May the sun shine bright for you

And health be yours always.

I wish you strength and courage

When life puts you to the test,

May you always be able to say

That you have done your best.

May you be gentle with each other

As you get on with the living,

May there be peace and understanding

And may you always be forgiving.

May the love that shines in your eyes today

Live on in your hearts forever,

And may the tenderness you feel

Enable you life's storms to weather.

I wish you many happy years

And a table fully spread,

I wish you quiet contentment

And a pillow for your head.

May the days be long and love filled

And the hours filled with gladness,

May you share the ups and downs of life

And chase away the sadness.

May you honour and respect each other

In everything you do 

May your lives be be blessed with sunshine

And your love be strong and true. 

Take care of one another

And always take some time aside,

Remember to say "I love you"

And speak of each other with pride.

Congratulations are in order

These wishes are sincere,

May life be very good for you

And may you know no fear.

Congratulations David and Janelle

on your engagement July 8th. 2012

© Linda J.Vaughan

9th. July 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

CHILD OF MY HEART

CHILD OF MY HEART

I loved the times when you were small

And you depended on me,

For all the things that life could bring.

And you sat upon my knee.

And yet I love these adult days

When before me I can see,

A beautiful young woman

Passionate and sweet,

Who brings me love and laughter

And flowers at my feet.

I love to sit and chat a while

And see your lovely face,

The changes from the child I knew ~

The beautiful adult in her place.

I see your confidence and strength

And I watch you with great pride,

Your sensitivity and tenderness

Brings joy which I can't hide.

I sense in you contentment,

Love and sweet release,

It is all that I could have hoped for,

A quiet solitude and peace.

Your Dad and I adore you,

And cherish the times we spend,

I wish you love and laughter

And joys that never end.

 © Linda J. Vaughan

CHERISH THE DAYS

CHERISH THE DAYS

  

Cherish the days when love is yours

And for you the skies are blue,

Hear the winds of kindness blow

Be sure to say I love you.

See the devotion in those eyes

And the tenderness it brings

Feel the flutter of your heart

As it soars on eagle wings.

Relish the joy and fascination

As you walk the path together,

Hold fast to the hand that reaches out

And know that the storms you'll weather.

Feel the passion and romance

The magic and pure delight

As you love and care and tenderly spend

Another love filled night.

Let the story be told of tenderness

And the days when love was bold,

May the memory of these special times

Warm your days when you are old.

© Linda J. Vaughan

February 11th. 2007

THE GARDEN GATE

THE GARDEN GATE

The gate is always open

Come through it with me

Let's find a special place

Where we can really be free.

Let's put aside our troubles

And the fear of beginning to trust

Take my hand and come with me

On a journey which is a must.

Through that gate of friendship

We will find such very special things

The joy of love and laughter

And a heart that really sings.

We will find warmth and comfort

And arms that hold us near

Shelter from the storms of life

And we will hold no fear.

This is a special garden

And acceptance will be found,

Abundant tears we will shed

From hearts strong and sound.

Tender smiles from eyes of blue

A dimple on a cheek

A tendril of hair gently brushed aside

Such kindness we will seek.


We'll watch the mists of evening gather
And be wrapped in their care
We will see the birds settle ~
Silence everywhere.
The gentle brook will babble
As it goes on it's merry way
A special place to visit
A place we'll want to stay.

The garden is our very own

And tended with love and care

Flowers of friendship blossoming ~

Fragrance everywhere.

We will watch the seasons come and go

Take courage and strength from it all

A special place of joy and hope

Behind the garden wall.

© Linda J. Vaughan

16th. April 2012

A SEAT IN THE SHADE

A SEAT IN THE SHADE

I long to sit beside you

On a bench in quiet shade

To listen to your voice

Tell about the life you've made.

I long to laugh and weep with you

About your journey's road

To listen as you relate

How heavy has been your load.

I long to feel you close to me

And to sense your joy for life

To share your determination

To put an end to strife.

I ache to see your smiling eyes

Of deep and tender blue

I long to tell you face to face

How much that I love you.

I have an aching in my heart

To tell you face to face

How glad I am that you're alive

That you received the gift of grace.

I long to feel the gentle breeze

That wafts from up above

I long to offer up my thanks

For life, for friends and love.

In imagination I wander

Through conversations deep

I hear the laughter and the fun

And I see us weep.

I hear us talk of life and love

Of pain and getting through,

I hear the hope that lives in us

And the things we want to do.

I see us sit in possibility

With much to share and learn

I feel the hope that lives with us

For the lovely life we yearn.

Until the day we can sit and share

Letters will have to do

They keep us close in heart and thought

And hold the words "I love you."

© Linda J. Vaughan

15th. April 2012

TALK TO ME.

TALK TO ME

Talk to me and tell me

The things that mean so much,

A smile, a kiss, a sweet perfume ~

A special tender touch.

The sweetest words of a love song,

A glance across a room.

The crunch of autumn leaves

And memory’s wistful tune.

The velvet skin of a new born

With that sweet sweet baby smell.

The feel of soft and downy hair ~

I know these things so well.

Tell me of the many things

That bring such joy to you. ~

The memory of holidays

And the things you used to do.

A hot and steamy shower

With water on your head,

Soup smells from a kitchen

And crusty home made bread.

Discussions and debates

Opinions well respected.

Oh the special feeling

Of just being accepted.

Candlelight and music

A dinner and sweet wine

Words long ago spoken

Which still in heart are mine.

Talk to me and tell me

The things that mean so much

I remember so many things

Of life’s tender touch.

© Linda J. Vaughan

July 2005

A FLOWER IN THE GARDEN

A FLOWER IN THE GARDEN

Little girl with eyes so blue,

And hair of honey gold,

You are a flower in the garden ~

The sweetest we could hold.

You are nearly two years old

And off on your journey now,

Exploring and adventuring

And we can see you grow.

You have brought joy to many hearts

And blessed our lives with love,

A very special little girl,

Sent from Heaven above.

You are your Mummy’s special joy

And you’re Daddy’s little girl,

You have captured Grandpa’s heart

And have him in a whirl.

You are a flower in our garden,

And often bring a smile,

You make our burdens lighter

As we travel every mile.

We watch you grow and wonder

What life holds for you,

We wish you special blessings

In everything you do.

We wish you a peaceful voyage

On a calm untroubled tide

We wish you exciting adventures

And joys you cannot hide.

We wish you a diamond studded sky,

And dewdrops on a rose,

A cool breeze on a summer day

And sand between your toes.

We wish you pools to splash in,

When you walk upon the sand

Shells to collect and crabs to see,

And holding Mummy’s hand

A full moon for you to wonder at

Kittens and Puppies at play,

A happy type of tiredness 

When you reach the end of day.

We wish you shelter from a storm,

An umbrella to keep you dry,

Friends to keep you company

Someone to answer “why”.

We wish you love and laughter

A warm and comfy bed,

A soft and downy pillow

Where you can lay your head.

Written for Grace Tegan Crawford

Born November 27 2004

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Take me back to the days of my youth,

When I was a slip of a girl.

Let me see again the days

When my life was in a whirl.

I long to hear the laughter

And sing the songs we knew.

I remember long clear days

When nothing clouded our view.

I remember the flowers you sent me

I remember the look in your eyes.

I see again before me

Open, clear blue skies.

Let me splash my feet in the water

And wriggle my toes in the sand,

Let me feel again the tenderness

As you reach out for my hand.

Take me back to the days of my youth

Let memory be my friend

For it is in my memory

These days will never end.

© Linda J. Vaughan

August 2006

The Pages of Avalon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNVit7cesj8

Those were the Days - Mary Hopkin

HOME AT LAST

HOME AT LAST.

Walking through the woods

At last on my way home

The winter wind is blowing

The sea is white with foam.

The fog at last is lifting

It's been hanging around for days

The earth is wet and musty

The horizon clearing through the haze.

Thoughts in my head are racing

Of warmth and tender care

Hot chocolate by the fireside

A warm bed and love to share.

Tendrils of my damp hair 

Blow cold across my face

I walk a little faster 

I need to be out of this place.

Soon the gate is visible

The vines silhouetted by the wall,

I really must be careful

Lest I trip and fall.

My heart is beating wildly

As the door is opened wide

Suddenly before me is the man

Who fills my heart with pride

The warmth of the room envelopes me

As he holds me in his arms

Once more I am captivated 

By his strong and manly charms.

I am glad this man is home at last

And will be travelling no more

The warmth of the home brings peace

And I gently close the door.

© Linda J. Vaughan

June 2008