A SACRED EVENT

Good Afternoon and welcome to my little corner of the world, where in spite of the forecast of rain, the sun is shining and the sky is blue.   The air is clear and there are birds chirping in my garden.

Life is calm and peaceful and I have done things this week that I could never have done before when I was ill.   My time at the Royal Show working for Donate Life has made me very aware of many things.

I am aware of my health and the valued gift I received when I received the Gift of Life ~ all because another human being made the decision to be a Donor - I live because of my liver donor and am grateful every day.

I have met many other Human Beings in the last week and each one has a story to tell of a journey along a sometimes very rugged pathway.  I have met and spent time with a Donor Mum who is struggling with her grief and yet is proud and out there and actively campaigning for Organ Donation.

I have met other recipients and people who work with a passion to bring about the very best outcome with the wonderful medical skills available to us these days.  I have met Doctors, Surgeons, Intensive Care nurses - all of them "angels in comfortable shoes".  My life is blessed and much richer for these experiences and for meeting members of the public and telling the story of my journey.  

I have seen the picture from both sides - from the eyes of a Donor Mum and through my own eyes as a recipient and we both stand in wonder and awe at what can be and is being achieved.

I have met and become very close friends with another recipient who is aware daily of the gift he has received and who is living his life to the full in grateful awareness.  He is finding beauty and joy in the little things of life and not sweating the small stuff.

Each one of these encounters is indeed a "sacred event" as everyone has a different story to tell of a different journey and I rejoice that I can truly say that "The joy is in the journey" - that "life is a journey not a destination".

I am thankful for all those I have met and whose lives in some way have touched mine and who have been part of a "sacred event".

It was wonderful to share with people my story in the Donate Life "Book of Life" and to show that I am alive and well.

It is my hope and my prayer that I will be able to share my story with many more people and encourage those who wait for transplant and those in the early days post transplant  - that there is indeed "life after transplant" - for me a very peaceful and happy life ~ one I live with a thankful heart.

To those who read this Blog - thank you for taking the journey with me, for your love and care and support I am very grateful.

I wake each morning with a song in my heart, a spring in my step and a smile on my lips and gratitude for another day of life.    I am aware very much that I live on borrowed time - and I am making the most of it.

I am truly thankful for each "sacred event" in my life.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

IT'S FRIDAY AND DR. SEUSS WOULD HAVE BEEN 108 TODAY.

Good evening and welcome to Friday evening in my beautiful cool city and I have had a busy day - today I have been to Clinic for my first visit after three months and the news was good - bloodwork is all looking good and my blood pressure was at an acceptable level.   I now have another three months until my next visit.

There was no obvious reason for me to  become "twitch"/"squirrelly" but I did and am grateful for the care of someone who talked me through by fears and made me laugh.   I knew the fears were not rational ~ but then fear isn't.

We did very well in Friday evening traffic coming home and only caught one red light so it was plain sailing on the roads too..

Today would have been the 108th. Birthday of Dr. Seuss  (Theodor Seuss Geisel) and I recall many happy times with my children reading for hours such works as "The Cat in the Hat" "Green Eggs and Ham", "The Lorax" and "To Think that I saw it on Mulberry Street",   not forgetting of course "One Fish ,Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" and to this day I will gladly read to any child who will indulge me and share my joy.   A firm favourite of mine is "Oh, the Places You'll Go" and I often include that in a 16th. ~ 18th. or 21st. Birthday gift.

Many of the words from Dr. Seuss books have become part of our family language and when used everyone knows what we mean and these phrases are often used in conversation and it is very special

Here are just a few Dr. Seuss quotes:

There is a quite profound wisdom there and  I always enjoy revisiting - I often have to restrain myself from buying books such as these ~ and sometimes I lose the battle and come home with a Dr. Seuss book.

Enjoy this trip down memory lane, or if you are one of the lucky ones who still have children who love having these read to them - take out a few from the shelf and celebrate the birthday of a man who has brought such joy.

Our journey's are often difficult and filled with pain, but we dust ourselves off and pick up and start again, thankfully with the love and care and support of those who love us.

So on this Friday evening - and early Friday morning for those in the Northern Hemisphere, enjoy your evening/your day and a wonderful weekend.   If you have plans to get away - then do it and enjoy. I have a daughter on the way to Broken Hill for an engagement party and they will have to take a three hour detour because of flooding and bridges being down.   If you are travelling, then have a safe and wonderful time.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart - and heart that today remembers good times and fun books.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Love and hugs,

Linda. 


How could I have forgotten "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"?

WELCOME TO SATURDAY ~ DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

Welcome to Saturday in my sizzling city today - it is hot hot hot and the north wind is blowing and causing bushfire concerns for many people up and down the country.  Mother nature is certainly taking us out of summer with a hot spell.   There has been much flooding overnight in Queensland and Northern New South Wales, and this is making it difficult with wet ground for a friend who is anxious to get her horses ready for a show jumping contest in a few weeks time.

Join me in praying for two little girls (both transplant recipients) who are not doing very well at the moment.  Both are called McKenzie and both are really struggling right now.    Please call on whatever deity you espouse and send loving, caring and healing light to them.   One is in Cincinnati and one in Texas ~ I hope I have news of some improvement to share with you tomorrow.

It is always lovely to see shiny bright eyes and smiles return to someone who has been ill and generally out of sorts with life ~ I had that experience this morning and it made my heart sing.  I am so glad that there was a spring in the step and a smile on the face of someone very near and dear to me.

All of the words included in the word art above are important to all of us and I hope that they live in your heart and life - dreams are so important and I don't just mean the ones when we are asleep. The dreams, plans, hopes and aspirations of our hearts are what keeps us going through otherwise difficult days, and there can be difficult days for all of us.

Keep on moving forward ~ no turning back - please don't visit me in my past for I don't live there anymore.  

This is something I wrote a few weeks ago and share with love.

JOY IN THE JOURNEY 

Please don't visit me in my past

For I don't live there anymore.

I am moving forward

Life is different than before.

I dwell in possibility 

With hope as companion and friend

There is joy in the journey for me

As I travel round every bend.

I find joy in the simplest of things

A bird on the wing and a flower small,

Daffodils in springtime

A rose beside the wall.

I will not live in shadowed halls

And I turn my face to the sun

Then the shadows are behind me

And half my battle is won.

The pathway may be rugged

And my steps may falter and fall

But there are friends who journey with me

And hear me when I call.

I have been a bird with a broken wing

And feel that now I'm healed

I rise and soar and fly free

My destiny is sealed.

I share my smiles as I travel on

The song in my heart can be heard

There is  such joy in my journey

And I thank you that you cared.

Cared enough to encourage me

And dared me to stand tall

You have been my safety net

To catch me when I fall.

The energy that I exude is positive

And attracts positive things to me

People say I'm looking well ~

There is joy in my journey you see.

So much for me to see and share

Days are different than before

Please don't visit me in my past

For I don't live there any more.

© Linda J. Vaughan

February 4th. 2012

Although my heart is heavy with concern and compassion for these two little girls and anyone else who is struggling, I am learning to live with with the changes in my life and to make it a good life  ~  no a GREAT life.

I wish you all a great Saturday and a great Sunday too - but I will be popping back on early Sunday to greet you with kindness and a smile.   I am always pleased to hear from you and always appreciate your comments and it is a pure delight to learn that for some who have had difficult days ~ a quiet evening in and a movie with a loved one is just what is needed. and makes me smile.

Take special care and thank you for visiting the musings of a quiet heart today.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

WEDNESDAY - THERE IS JOY IN THE JOURNEY

Good afternoon and welcome to Wednesday in most parts of our world - and for me in Adelaide the sun has been shining, but the heat has been tempered by a cool breeze.  A very good day for laundry to dry and I have done lots of load of that.

I have had a quiet day at home and I have been concerned about a friend, but we were able to talk for a while and I think I was able to chase the clouds away for a little while, at least I hope I did.

My life is changed in so many ways and life is sweet for me and most certainly there is joy in my journey.


I have had amazing days over the last few months - I am well enough to enjoy it all.   I am able to wake each morning and although sometimes tired and slow, I am alive and living my life.  Transplant is the Gift of Life and want to live my new life to it's full potential and I am finding joy in the journey.


I am meeting new people who share my passion for organ donation and I am looking forward to meeting many more of them.   This afternoon I received a lovely phone call from Kevin from Transplant Victoria and I was delighted to "meet" him over the phone.,   It made my day.


If one can say that I am thankful for my illness, then I am, because I have shared the road with many amazing people from all over the world, and I hold them close in heart and thought.  I have "met" on line and by telephone with people who, like me want to spread the word and help others understand just what a precious gift life is.


Some months ago I posted about how I felt I was "who I was born to be" and after this week I am even more convinced that I am travelling on the right road with wonderful travelling companions.
I AM who I was born to be.

I have the most special friendship anyone could ever wish for - I share joy, laughter, tears, frustration and care and know that I am loved and cared for and there is a spring in my step and a song in my heart because of this.  There is much laughter and a sharing of music and poetry ~ I know what "friendship" really means.


I have lots of other friends and I love them dearly each with their own particular spice to add to my life.  I feel rather like a cake really - all the ingredients are mixed together, personalities and foibles, sweet and bitter sweet and together form "friendship".  I think I have learned to accept myself and I know I have learned to laugh at myself and it is an amazing thing.


Wherever you are on your journey - take time to nourish and nurture yourself and be proud of who you are and the kindnesses that you show, even if they don't seem to be appreciated by some people
You don't need their approval you just need to be yourself.


There is much turmoil in our world, nation against nation, political party against political party, Leaders against Leaders, religions against religions  and sadly to say Family against Family.  This saddens my heart that family issues often cannot be resolved without conflict which can lead to lasting bitterness.  If this is happening in your family I hope that you can seek or offer forgiveness and offer the olive branch and spend what time you have left living happily with your loved ones.


The hurt that comes from these animosities is often deep and damaging and can very easily drag someone down ~ don't let it happen to you ~ remember you don't need to be accepted by others, you just need to accept yourself.


Accept yourself with all your idiosyncrasies and learn to like the person you see in the mirror each day.   Be honest and true to yourself and life will be sweet for you.  Be kinder than you need to be because everyone is carrying a burden of some kind, but be careful that your kindness is not used and abused, because sadly this does happy.    Take care of your own health, keep your lifestyle complete by spending time on the things that bring you joy, and wherever you are in this world of ours, be sure to find the beauty that is all around you.   Take the time to spend with your loved one, take time to nourish and nurture your own relationships as stress can do untold damage.


Make the phone call that tells someone you value them, that you think they are doing a good job and that you are proud of them ~ believe me it is a very much appreciated call.   I had one of those calls today from someone I haven't met face to face and it made my heart sing.


Those special words "I love you"  ~  "I love you more" are able to turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary day.


Thank you for visiting the Musings from My Heart - today a heart filled with care and compassion.


Journey gently and walk safely through the mists,


Love and hugs,
Linda.


Who I Was Born to Be.

"When I was a child 
I could see the wind in the trees 
and I heard a song in the breeze 
it was there, singing out my name 

But I am not a girl 
I have known the taste of defeat 
and I have finally grown to believe 
it will all come around again 

And though I may not 
know the answers 
I can finally say I am free 
And if the questions 
led me here, then 
I am who I was born to be 

And so here am I 
Open arms and ready to stand 
I've got the world in my hands
And it feels like my turn to fly 

And though I may not 
know the answers 
I can finally say I am free 
And if the questions 
led me here, then 
I am who I was born to be 

When I was a child 
There were flowers that bloomed in the night 
That are afraid to take in the light 
Unashamed to have braved the dawn 

And though I may not 
know the answers 
I can finally say I am free 
And if the questions 
led me here, then 
I am who I was born to be 

I am who I was born to be"

A QUIET MONDAY WITH LOVE IN MY HEART

Welcome to Monday and indeed I am late enough to not have to worry about being in two different time zones because I don't think there is anywhere in the world that would not have reached Monday by now.


I love the challenge of time zones and working out why when I am going to bed my American friends are getting up and when I get up they are well into their day  (albeit the day before mine ~ there go those time zones again.)


Yesterday was a beautiful day for me although it was very very hot and being out in the sunny gardens was a challenge - sunblock and sun hats all round.  There certainly was joy in my journey yesterday along with a lot of emotion at gathering with Donor families, recipients and their families and friends to celebrate the gift of life and the wonderful contribution donors make to life.


The ceremony of planting the 2011 Rose - named "Thank You" took place in our Parklands in The Gift of Life Garden at Bonython Park and I have said before and will say again that I take absolute joy in the position of this Garden - right in the middle of LIFE - flight paths, trams, buses, cars, picnicking families, a boating lake  - all things that celebrate life.  There were children blowing bubbles and another small child trying to catch them - all quite and respectful but ALIVE AND WELL.


Sharing a selection of the photographs I took yesterday.

I know it is still being a tough road for some of you and that your journey has you tired and worn and I send love and caring hugs your way and strength for your journey. Joe introduced me to a poem by Maya Angelou called "Still I Rise" and I suggest you look it up - just a Google search should find it easily - these are some of the words from the poem:


"You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise"


Let courage be the mantle that you wear and strength be your companion as you journey on and may there still be joy in your journey and still, like air may you rise.


This has been a precious day for me as I have shared the written word with the beautiful soul of a beautiful man with a beautiful heart.  Please remember that although your path is rough you are an inspiration to many and indeed I can sing loudly and strongly:



"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be."



Keep calm and carry on and thank you for visiting the Musings of My Heart today a heart filled with love and thanksgiving.


Love and hugs,
Linda. 

IT'S THANKFUL THURSDAY AND I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Good Morning and welcome to Thankful Thursday and I have so much to be thankful for - a quiet home, a blue sky, sunshine, a cool breeze, nice coffee and soooooooo much more.

I have the freedom to come and go as I please and the opportunity to become as involved or not involved with things dear to me and that is happening for me at the moment.    Two years post transplant and I am feeling well enough to step outside my circle and take part in other things.

We attended a Transplant Australia Meeting here in Adelaide last night and it brought me great joy to meet with Chris Thomas (CEO of Transplant Australia ) and a group of like minded people, keen and eager to promote all facets of organ and tissue donation and transplant.

I met a lady who was Liver transplant number 18 at Flinders and I was number 194 - it was a nice connection.  There was laughter, good discussion and great coffee.   I have undertaken to be part of a group for "brain storming" ideas and it will involve meetings which I love.   I actually enjoy meetings and good discussion - and of course couldn't and didn't keep my mouth closed,

I also had the opportunity to express my thanks for the positioning of the Memorial Rose Garden here in Adelaide.    It is right on the edge of a big arterial road into the city along which travels the tram and buses and it is also on a flight path to Adelaide Airport.   During last year's ceremony I became aware of just how significant the positioning is - it is right in the middle of "life" and that's what transplant is all about.

During the meeting last night as part of the introduction we shared if we were South Australian born and bred and Chris Thomas mentioned his connection to Pinaroo in South Australia and it is the next town in the Mallee to Lameroo (where John's family have connections) and that the family name in his line was O'Loughlin.     I received a phone call this morning from Chris who has checked out the family tree and John and Chris are indeed related - and I think I have it worked out that his Grandfather and John's Father were cousins.  What a small world and this is often the case in sleepy old Adelaide.

It was a great evening after a busy afternoon of attending an appointment and today has left me tired but I am thankful that I don't have a busy day and can rest if needed.

I am thankful today for the opportunity to talk with someone and share the load a bit and to laugh a little too but especially I am thankful for the joy he is feeling right now as he waits for the mail.

I share that joy and the hope that lives within his heart.

Sharing joys and sorrows, cares and woes is a good thing - it allows expressions and having shared, to perhaps let things go and the joys bring joy to others and that is certainly a blessing.

I have just come back inside from chasing laundry round the garden - very strong gust of wind took some of it off the line and I got silly and giggly as I chased it around.   Laughter is something for which I am always thankful for and the ability to laugh at myself - a learned skill which is great.

As I close this post for today - I wish you an easing of your pain, someone to share your joys and sorrows with and some silliness to make your soul smile.

Life, with all its ups and downs is still very beautiful and the joy is in the journey. 

Thank you for visiting the Musings from My Heart and for sharing my joys and sorrows, love from my heart to yours - I have a giggly thankful heart today.

Please remember to sparkle and shine.

Love and hugs,

Linda

*** I try to be all of the things mentioned on the clipping at the top of this page............ bold, proper, thankful, crazy, punctual, daring, spontaneous, loving, random, classy, original, loud, adorable, unique, kooky and I hope I can be beautiful (from the inside.)

3rd.DAY OF THE YEAR - AND NOW I AM CALLED "SASSY"

Good Morning and welcome to Tuesday and it is still HOT in my little corner of the world - it did cool a little overnight but another sizzling summer day for us today.

I posted this image on my Facebook wall for all the world to see and in conversation with someone special I was called "Sassy" - which made me smile big time.   

I want to be awesome in so many ways.   I want to be an awesome friend with a smile that takes in the world,  I want to be awesome enough to practice random acts of kindness, to be stress free and that WILL be awesome.  I want to show awesome care to those who need it, to love my family and special friends in an awesome way.

There are so many "awesome" things I want to be and I am working on it - I want to see the world through eyes filled with beauty, to feel another's pain and reach out to them.  I want to be INSPIRATIONAL (bearing in mind that INSPIRATION is my word for 2012)  and I want to be "AWESOME" and "SASSY" in the nicest possible way.

It is my plan to sprinkle my days with kindness and joy and hope that it rubs off on those I encounter in my daily living, my family and my friends.  To bring warmth and compassion to those who are not travelling well..

Life is indeed a journey not a destination and I am enjoying my journey very much - so many lovely things have happened to me and I am standing facing the sun so that my shadows, although still there, are behind me and I respect them.

My illness and transplant are what happened to me and they do not define me - I am who I choose to be.

I know there will be days when the sun will not shine quite so brightly for me and just as sure as I am of that, I am sure that there are those who love me who will catch me when I fall.  No, rather they will catch me before I fall down a big hole.  I am blessed indeed.

Stop for just a moment and count your blessings  - mine are too many to list but I am thankful for each one of them and know that they are there in my life.  I hope you can see yours in the sunlight and love of your friends and family.

"May there always be a sunbeam to warm you,

 a moonbeam to charm you and a sheltering angel so nothing can harm you."

With love and hugs to you all and my thanks for reading the Musings from my Heart - a "sassy and awesome" heart today.

Love and hugs,

Linda. 

FRIDAY AND HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdRSRTqOyi4

Enya - How Can I Keep from Singing

Good Morning and welcome to Friday Morning in my little corner of the world - the sun is shining and the birds are singing.  I slept fitfully but am awake and alive on this Friday morning for me.

It is not yet 10.30 and there has been much joy in my day already.   The day started as it usually does for me with a cup of steaming coffee and a full email box to get through - lovely ordinary pattern to my day.   I then chatted with a friend and checked a group and there was laughter and sharing there - Oh the joys of friendship.

I was fortunate enough to share some photographs from a friend and as promised have deleted them - photographs are only a reflection of an image - the real person is inside  - rather like age and weight are just numbers. 

Green traffic lights , no congestion and no waiting at the Post Office - even time for a cheery chat with Donna and Pam and oh the joy of finding something special on sale at the Post Office.  What happened to Post Offices just being Post Offices - now they even sell sewing machines.,!!!     No I didn't buy a sewing machine - I have a perfectly functioning one of those.  But I did buy and am delighted with - a very reasonably priced pack of Dr. Seuss books:

• The Lorax
• Thidwick The Big-Hearted Moose
• I can read with my eyes shut
• OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO 

I was wanting to buy a copy of Oh the places You'll go for Ashleigh who just turned 16 and haven't got to the Book Shop yet - so problem solved - Book in the mail to Miss Sweet Sixteen on Monday.

The three remaining books will go in my "gift cupboard" and will find a home with a child soon enough.

I had to wait in line at the $2.00 shop but it was a chance for a chat with two lovely ladies and then it the car park a big burly workman was having morning break in his truck (eating a pie in a paper bag) - I smiled and he said "Have a good day Mate.! - oh the joys of living in Australia where I am the workman's "Mate"  bless him he made me smile. 

  In the car and home again -  with Billy Joel singing away on my CD player that has only recently decided to work again.  Italian Restaurant was the tune I drove home to - no red lights and easy traffic, a lovely Christmas card in the mail, a parcel (but not the one I am longing for) .

Home to more laughter and music - Life Is Good.  It's been a real Australian morning - sharing Waltzing Matilda with a friend, and "Clancy of the Overflow" with a very warm and caring Love Your Liver Group.

I am finding lots of bruises lately - must be my medication and my clumsiness - I never recall hitting myself but the bruises just appear - they also go away too.  

This is what I have woken to this morning on my patchy Stevens Johnson skin.  It is a bruise - another mark that proves that I am indeed alive and living well.   Hey, the skin may not be decorative but it is functional and that's what counts and I beat Stevens Johnson and am alive to tell the tale.  Look it up sometime if you have a strong stomach - it is not for the faint hearted.

I shall get on with my day and do the chores that I have to do with a thankful heart - and thank God for dirty dishes .

"Thank God for dirty dishes

They have a tale to tell

While other folks go hungry

We're eating very well."

I have laundry to do and other things - I don't like four letter words - wash, iron, cook, dust, tidy, etc. etc. but these things must be done and I am thankful to be well enough to do them.  


This morning has brought such joy to me and chased away any melancholy that was lingering.   Thank you to all who were part of that and with all that is happening in my life 'HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?"


I wish you all a beautiful day/evening/night wherever you are and no matter what time zone you are in - you are in my thoughts and prayers - I am blessed indeed.


Love and hugs,
Linda. 

WEDNEDAY @ 94 weeks AND JOY IN THE JOURNEY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQx0RqKUCX0

Enya - Hope Has a Place.

"Under the heavens, we journey far
On roads of life, we're the wanderers
So let love rise, so let love depart
Let hope have a place in the lover's heart
Hope has a place in a lover's heart"


Good Morning from Adelaide - a clear blue sky and a very warm day forecast - a taste of what is to come.
I can cope with the hot days but really like it when it cools in the evening.   Tomorrow we are forecast rain  - oh the joys of an Adelaide spring.   It is all part of life and the journey we take.


I started this post early this morning and had to leave it and by now it is very very warm with a north wind blowing and buffeting everything around.


I have been to visit my friend Jenny who is currently waiting for a hip replacement operation and it was a joy to drink coffee, eat chocolate biscuits and just talk.   We discussed lots of things and played with the beads Jenny has - it was a lovely morning.   Her journey is tough right now as she is in constant pain and is not sleeping well at all.  Every moment is agony for her and it is distressing to see her having to use a walking frame  - I hope your surgery comes through soon.


Every one's journey is different and there are snags and boulders on each road - some small and some much larger - we often have to take a detour or take some time out for "repairs" but it is lovely to know that all along our journey there are people there to helps us on our way.    Maybe it is just a kind word or deed, maybe it is guidance and advice, and maybe it is just some time spent with those who need us.


Wherever you are on your journey I hope there is sunshine and kindness, gentle thoughts and kindness to help make traveling sweet.


Everyone is on a journey and random acts of kindness really do help us all on the way.


Thanks for taking time out of your journey to visit "The Musings from My Heart"


FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY.


Love and hugs,
Linda.

WEDNESDAY @ 92 WEEKS AND HOPE HAS A PLACE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFz3jybXyxM

Enya - Hope has a Place

Good Morning and welcome to a wet wet Wednesday in the beautiful corner of the world where I live - and "live" is the operative word there.  I have reached 92 weeks post transplant and continue my journey with hope and anticipation.
There are times when I "wobble" a little and right now is one of them - always a little uneasy before a hospital procedure but keeping the faith and getting on with what has to be done.

This song is a firm favourite of mine and I often listen in the car, at my PC or as I try to drift off to sleep.  Enjoy it and enjoy the lyrics.  Enya brings lots of pleasure to my days.

"One look at love

and you may see

it weaves a web

over mystery,

all ravelled threads

can rend apart

for hope has a place in the lover's heart.

 Hope has a place in a lover's heart

Whispering world,

A sigh of sighs,

The ebb and the flow

of the ocean tides,

One breath, one word

may end or may start

a hope in a place of the lover's heart,

 Hope has a place in a lover's heart.

Look to love

you may dream,

and if it should leave

then give it wings.

But if such a love

is meant to be;

 Hope is home, and the heart is free.

Under the heavens

we journey far,

on roads of life

we're the wanderers,

So let love rise,

so let love depart,

let hope have a place in the lover's heart

 Hope has a place in the lover's heart.

Look to love

and you may dream,

and if it should leave

then give it wings.

But if such a love

is meant to be;

 Hope is home, and the heart is free.

 Hope is home, and the heart is free."



I have highlighted the verse most special to me - and I hope that as you journey on the roads of life there is hope in your heart - nurture it, nourish it and keep it there,  it will serve you well as you travel under the heavens.

I have just a few things I wish to finish before I go off to hospital tomorrow - I waited yesterday for another phone call to tell me I had been "bumped" from the list again - but it didn't come so for me it is onward and upward.  They are just the sort of things that will make life easier for my family should I be forced to stay at Flinders.

The rain here in Adelaide has just fallen gently and steadily all night - the sort of rain ideal for just walking in - no wind and not too heavy.  I love that sort of rain - it's when the wind howls and roars and drives it in all directions that I get "twitchy".

I will try to post here before I leave early in the morning - but if that doesn't happen "watch this space" as I will be back here tip tapping out the daily "Musings from my Heart".

I am glad you have visited and wish you a safe and wonderful journey as you travel the roads of life.

Love and hugs,
Linda.

GOOD MORNING - WELCOME TO FRIDAY - HOPE HAS A PLACE.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl0q8f8nC8Q

Enya - Hope has a Place.

"Under the heavens we journey far,
on roads of life we're the wanderers,
So let love rise, so let love depart,
Let hope have a place in the lover's heart.
Hope has a place in a lover's heart." 

Good Morning and welcome to Friday in my little corner of the world  - cold and as yet still dark.  Lovely crisp morning with bright and diamond like stars shining in my sky.

Here we are at the end of another week and I hope things are well in your special spot in this lovely world.   I hope your pathway is smooth and your journey not too difficult.

"On roads of life we're the wanderers"  and as you wander through your day I wish you hope in your heart and that encouragement comes to your day and your life.   So many I know are experiencing a rough path as they wander through their lives.

Friends are experiencing serious illness, others have problems at home and there are those who are dealing with grief in all is stages.  Nurture yourselves, take some time apart to rest and restore and work things through quietly and calmly - be at peace.

Our nights are cold here and my lovely warm bed calls early often, but last night I was out and about and was able to enjoy dinner with friends and then the concert of the Soweto Gospel Choir.

The colour, music, dance and excitement that these lovely people presented was a joy and my only real complaint would be that I was not able to understand lots of what they were singing.

I did however delight in such songs as Bridge Over Troubled Water, Swing Low Sweet Chariot and

This Little Light of Mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VSsBERv-lk

Watch and enjoy the Choir singing This Little Light of Mine at Mandela Day 2009 - enjoy a brief snippet of the magic they perform with smiles, fluid movements and dance and wonderful voices.

It was a lovely experience and so too was the interlude Diane and I had with an elderly lady who had ventured out on a cold winter evening on her own to see the choir.  She was a lovely soul who was a little unsure of where to go and what to do, we chatted and reassured her and encouraged her to take a taxi home rather than catch the bus.  I hope the concert brought some warmth and magic to her life and that she was able to relive it as she snuggled down in a warm bed.  She was delightful - another friend "met for just a few short moments of my day."

There is magic and charm to be had if you can rise above the difficulties which pull you down and I hope that somewhere in some small corner of your day you are able to find restoration and hope and enjoy the magic of music, laughter and love.

Take care, be a little kinder, stop to talk to someone who perhaps lives alone and you may be the only human contact they have in their day and I thank you for sharing my journey of hope and for visiting and reading "The Musings of My Heart.

Love and hugs,