“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom” (Isaac Asimov) on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking while being different, being me… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I  do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” ,  no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life  🙂 ).. 🙂

I witnessed the toll conflict inflicted on all creatures great and small, a conflict that sown the seeds of suffering and anger… “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.”  (Dwight D. Eisenhower)..  🙂

 

 

I am sitting on the ground… 🙂

We were volunteers, one and all
So Noble.. Proud.. and Brave,
Did not know the reasons for  war
Just a people from tyranny to save!

Glasses held high, we made an toast
Surely that Victory would rule the day!
While back at home, the voices of unrest
Not a kind word for  us did they say.

Some could not vote, children were we
Some could not drink, but still our battle cry,
Even with all that we could not do
For us children, it was to do or die!

Vietnam was a hostile, violent land
The dangers, the horrors of war abound,
Whether the paddies of Vietnam or the fields of home,
Seemed for us, not a friend could be found.

But we proudly  gave it our all
Faced  our destiny, with a hint of fear of tomorrow
Some to return to a mother’s joy
Some to return to a mother’s sorrow.

So should you be looking on today
One more toast,  hold your glasses high,
To PEACE, HOPE and LOVE, may they long endure
CHEERS, LADS AND LASSIES!!!.. And SEMPER FI
          ( Larry “Dutch” Woller, Sgt, 12th Marine Regiment, Vietnam, 1965–1966...)

Hello Diary,

This coming weekend is Memorial Day on the prairies…. a time to give thoughts to those who gave their all in a time of conflict… I will take a moment to have some thoughts about them, some who were friends of mine… perhaps have a memory or two of what we shared together…  🙂
Then I will think of those who paid the dearest price, the parents, the siblings, of those who were caught up in conflict, the son, the daughter, the brother, the sister,  some to come home wounded inside and out, some who would not return at all…  🙂
Spend the day doing my part and hopefully with others  I can help to ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain, that peace will reign supreme and no others will have to make a sacrifice again…:)
I will also spend the day doing my part and hopefully with others so no one will have to deal with conflict here on the prairies and elsewhere like the children and others in Texas…  🙂

“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?” ( Mahatma Gandhi)

I set here looking at the news
The powers wanted peace they say,
And while they spoke, bombs were dropped
20 children died that day!

What’s wrong with this idea?
Why not give PEACE a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die 

Smiles on their faces, while shaking hands
Arms deals for defense would come into play,
A bomb went off in a crowded market
10 children died that day.

What’s wrong with this idea?
Why not give a world with LOVE a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die 

 A war to end all wars, they said
Yet to war they always return,
Death, destruction, suffering and pain
Won’t they every learn?

What’s wrong with this idea?
Let’s give LEARNING a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die. 

 Anger versus anger, hate versus hate
Seeds sown by war at home and away,
Starvation , sickness, a mother in tears
More and more children die every day.

What’s wrong with this idea?
Why not give PEACE, LOVE and LEARNING a try,
Let’s give it a go, everyone
Maybe no more children will die.
( Larry “Dutch” Woller) 

Well, I had better close for now… have dreams to follow, adventures awaiting and perhaps be a rainbow in someone’s cloud (Maya Angelou)…  but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise..  🙂

“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow, don’t walk behind me… I may not lead,
Walk beside me… and be my friend” (Albert Camus) and until we meet again.. 🙂

 May the love that you give
Always return to you,
That family and friends are many
And always remain true,
May your mind only know peace
No suffering or strife,
May your heart only know love and happiness
On your journey through life.
     (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” (Nelson Mandela ) on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking while being different, being me… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I  do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” ,  no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life  🙂 ).. 🙂

Hello Diary,

Taking a brief pause from daily adventures to ponder today’s world in conflict in many forms.. And comes to mind, and heavy heart,  the children of the world, children who’s mind is filled with dreams and wonder, not yet polluted by social ideologies….perhaps it is the children  who suffer the most while the adults confront each other… children who may appear different but inside are the same.. 🙂

 

 

Through the eyes of a child

I woke up this morning in a rush
Eagerly to start the day,
Hopefully to learn about the world
Maybe even have time to play.

I have many, many friends
Each one somewhat different than me,
But none of us  mind at all
We believe we were meant to be.

Decided to check in with my friends
Before Mom gave the breakfast call,
So with anxious hands I started my little tablet
Were going to say hello to one and all.

My smile and joy were soon gone
As sadness did take its place,
My vision become blurry
A tear, ventured down my face.

I read a text in my inbox
With conflict, some of my friends did die,
With trembling lips I looked to the horizon
With heavy heart asked the question “WHY?”.

Just children wanting to live their dream,
Why is that so very wrong,
Their dream were taken away
So someone could prove their strong.

You know, my heart will mend
For their memory lives in my heart,
And one day,  together, we will play again
Not even distance will keep us apart.

I finish this with a smile on my face
For I know one day we’ll meet again,
And again, together we will follow our dreams
For it will be a new beginning, not the end.
            (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Perhaps us “adults” should spend more time listening to the children… and I do listen… 🙂

Well, I had better close for now.. More adventures lie ahead and while on my journey, perhaps in some small way I can help the children of the world follow their dreams and make this world a better place…  but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…  🙂

Hope all is well in your part of the universe and until we meet again…

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
May green be the grass you walk on
May blue be the skies above you
May pure be the joys that surround you
May true be the hearts that love you.
    (Irish Saying)

“ The love a mother has for her children is legendary, it is said a child is the mother’s heart outside her body.” (Author Unknown) on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking while being different, being me… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I  do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” ,  no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life  🙂 ).. 🙂

Hello Diary,

The coming weekend is Mother’s Day weekend, a tribute to Mom’s all over the world… every day should be Mother’s Day!..  One can replace a lot of things but one cannot replace a Mom..  🙂

 

Mom’s do not get enough praise ( and often times help) as they navigate life, having to play the cards dealt to them (often times the cards are not pleasant) and sacrifices made as Mom navigates life, trying to help the children realize their dreams… no doubt sheds a silent tear when Mom is unable, at times, to give the children what Mom wishes for them, a silent heartache as Mom sees a tear in the children’s eyes, a silent tear and heartache when the child leaves the nest to pursue their dream… often quietly  staying in the background while watching the children venture down life’s path…  🙂

 

 

And on this Mother’s Day the spring flowers bring Moms to mind.. The little violet, quiet and modest yet when need to comes forward with little blooms to brighten the day… 🙂

A symbol of a Mother’s love, the lilac… 🙂

And the wisteria… 🙂

The lilacs are blooming with love
The backyard violets are blue,
Wisteria, delicate, and warm to behold
That has me thinking of  you!

Of your beauty, inside and out
That brightens the darkest skies,
Could feel the glowing warmth
From your lovely, loving eyes!

Your wonderful soft hands
Used with passionate gentleness
Delicate nimble fingers
With a touch of tenderness

And there are your thoughts
That I did cherish and treasure,
That I still value so highly
As they are beyond measure

One who ventured ever forward
Facing life without dread or fear,
Yet not letting go of the precious past
Holding on to all that is dear,

A few thoughts of you, Mom
Coming from the heart
Thoughts that will never end
Even though in life, we may part.
      (Larry “Dutch” Woller )

And for many of us, Moms are no longer with us in this mortal world, but they occupy a special place in our hearts and we can visit and chat with them whenever we wish to and do not need Facebook, Twitter or texting…  🙂

A Letter From Heaven

When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
Filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things 
We didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me
I know you’ll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me
I’m right there in your heart.
     (Alena Hakala Meadows)

Well, I had better close for now, life is calling and I better venture out to see what life has instore for me...but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise..  🙂

I hope this Mother’s Day ( and every day) that all the Moms (and everyone else) have a day filled with love and happiness and until we meet again..

May the love that you give
Always return to you,
That family and friends are many
And always remain true,
May your mind only know peace
No suffering or strife,
May your heart only know love and happiness
On your journey through life.
     (Larry “Dutch” Woller)