Vaudaline Thomas Sweetwater, Texas

The author, Vaudaline Thomas, was born 10 miles east of Sweetwater at Plum Creek in 1916. She is the daughter of Claude and Marguerite Rogers and the wife of T.T. Thomas. She and Mr. Thomas raised two sons and a daughter: James Thomas, Mondelene Cleckler, and Toby Thomas. She graduated from Sweetwater High School and attended Abilene Christian College and Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene where she received a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation from Hardin-Simmons, she did graduate work there and at Abilene Christian College. After moving to Lubbock in 1966, she did extensive graduate work at Texas Tech University in the fields of Education and Special Education (in which she earned 92 credit hours). She received her Master's Degree from Texas Tech. In her professional career she completed 32 years of teaching; her specialty was working with exceptional children. While teaching at O'Donnell School, she became ill after receiving a swine flu shot, from which she was paralyzed for more than a year. She spent 170 days in the Houston Hospital, at which time she began writing. To date, she has written 20 books and is compiling another. The books she has written are not only stories, prose and poetry, but also three editions of Terms Related to the Exceptional, a definitive dictionary of terms which is used as a reference in the education and treatment of exceptional children. Her poetry has been published by the International Society of Poetry in book form as well as on cassette as part of the National Library of Poetry, Contemporary Poets Series in 1996.

The Deficiency Child It saddens my heart to see you, Little child of woe. So early in life, you suffered pain And the scars there still remain. What hope lies for you? Is there something I can do? I'll try. Don't you give up hope. Fight on, little child of woe. We can all make a difference! 1. We can support the worldwide project. 2. We can help others understand. 3. Make a personal contribution. 4. Join the Kiwanis mission to virtually eliminate iodine deficiency around the world by the year 2000. 5. Learn more about Iodine Deficiency Disorder. Teach me to feel another's woe. to hide the fault I see. That mercy I to others show. That mercy show to me.

Mary Jenkins Over the past few days My thoughts have turned often to you. Thinking of how you have affected my life thinking of the things you do. A desire you have awakened In my heart and in my mind. a longing to be a friend beside you You, who are "One of a Kind." As I sit here thinking of you, There is one thing I know for sure As I was touched--so were you. There are memories you, too, must endure. As I sit here thinking of you, There is one thing clear in my mind. As you have grown more precious to me, I, too, have become more precious to you with time. So, whatever the outcome Of the touching of our souls, Joy and happy memories Will surface as the story unfolds.

What Would We Like to Say to You? From Andrew Jackson and Claudonia Belle Rogers We read you a short message And you asked if it came from us. Your question made us stop and think... That for someone so dear, what could our message be? What would we like to say to you? so many thoughts are on our minds... Instead of stopping to sort them out, We'll let them run freely for a time. Enjoy each moment, Our dear and trusted friend, For into your life This moment will never come again. For it, too, will join the past And be a part of all our yesterdays, Another experience recorded and gone, Yet, another moment that can help to guide our way. We must give thought to the future And for the future make some plans-- Yet, only a few plans, For the future is promised to no man. That's why the present moment Take on such an important role, For this very moment may determine If we are to reach our goal. And let this present moment Be lived to its fullest capacity, For this very moment May be your bridge into eternity. The present is indeed a bridge, Our bridge from the past to future times, So be sure it's strong and firm; Make it one of a kid. For if you are blessed, my friend To see the dawning of tomorrow's day, The bridge you build today Will be a foundation to help guide your way. When you are blessed With the presence of your friends Enjoy the blessings of the moment; It will never come again. There will be moments Of sorting out our yesterdays; There will be moments To dream of the future along the way. There will be moments For saying goodbye, but Just as surely, a moment for "Hello!" Is waiting on the tide. Each moment has a purpose For coming into your life. Each moment is a precious treasure; Put into it all your might. Live it, enjoy it, Let not it from you escape By dreaming of tomorrow Or looking back at yesterday. We are inspired by you; You added new depth to us. Where joy already lived, You brought joy abundantly.

All poems Copyright © 1996 Vaudaline Thomas. All rights reserved.