In My Garden - Observe the Law:

Observe the Law:

Key to Order, Justice, and Freedom

What do these words mean to me? This morning, very early, I listened to an angry man expound his ire on a "listener participation" radio program. I realized anew what a thin line divides a world of order and peace and a world of chaos and hatred. As I listened, it seemed he was against all controls and all restrictions on his freedoms. I wanted so much to tell him that only his own self-discipline could insure his freedom, that freedom must be earned by observance of the rights of others.

Equitable and just laws are the foundation upon which we build a nation of order and freedom. Then I, as an individual, must observe these laws, or I pull a stone from this foundation. If enough such stones are taken away, then the might building, that is our nation, will crumble and fall and all freedom and justice will be lost in the disorder and chaos that must follow.

One must accept the responsibilities of freedom, in order to create an atmosphere of morality and well being. Those who do not, find themselves in bondage, either to their own loss of ideals or to the forces of lawlessness which they have fostered.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - The Legend

The Legend

Once a man came into a new land. Its ways were strange to him, its pattern of life unfamiliar. For awhile he was frightened and alone. Then he took firm resolution and said unto himself, "I shall build a bit of my old life, here in this new place." And so he thought he might.

But from whence he had come, the soil was thin and full of rocks. Here it was rich and gave forth fruit in abundance. And after awhile he accepted it as fact and began boasting of his crops. When his young wife came to join him she was amazed at this man, her husband. In the old land, he would never have dared raise his voice so loudly, and with so much freedom. But already he seemed to have forgotten the margins of that other life.

She planted a seed in this new soil, a seed brought with tender care from the old land. But here, the flax plant grew taller. And its blue flower was the blueness of the sky above; the color of that other sky became but a memory. After church on Sabbath morning, men talked of crops, of government, of the roadway being built. Women spoke of clothes and gossip and even talked with the men of country, home and every man.

That morning the church bells had rung clearly, calling them to worship. There had been no fear in their meeting, no stealth. There had been confidence and peace, joy in being together.

And so, though these two tried to rebuild the old life, it was, after all, different. Just as certain ingredients change an artist's colors, making them more brilliant, more enduring, so the new elements of freedom and confidence changed the colors here, painting on the canvas, a new picture. The familiar pattern, but painted with bright new colors. So, through the sunrise and sunset, the man lived and grew old, and his wife walked beside him, filling the bread basket with freshly baked loaves, hanging crisp, bright curtains at the window, giving him three tall sons and a daughter, then leaving for yet another land.

One century left and another came to take its place. History rose and fell, and the seasons changed. The once rough, new town was older now, and they gathered one day then to do him much honor for he was the oldest of them all. And looking up to the heavens of God and into the faces of these, his friends, he uttered simply, "It is good!"

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline
Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.
First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - The Gate

1946 Zelda and Margaret

The Gate

The gate mutters on its rusty hinge

As he stands upon it

Swinging to and fro.

His face a solemn patch of shadow

In the brightness of the noon day.

But he is far away,

Riding upon a mighty ship.

He is captain.

And his keen eye is searching the horizon

For a pirate ship

Or uncharted island.

Oh, what fun to be a boy,

And able to cross the seven seas,

And ride with Jesse James,

And fly a rocket to the moon,

While swinging on a rusty gate

But the years will pass,

And manhood, with its cares,

Will find him too soon.

Then I shall lose him

But I know

That always there, in my memory,

Will be the little boy with freckles,

Who will return to me

Whenever I hear the mutter of a rusty gate

Upon a rusty hinge.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - A Gingerbread Man

A Gingerbread Man

Gently comes the cookie pan from the oven.

Gently now upon the cloth it's turned

And there he lays, the "Gingerbread Man."

Ripples of delight

Cascade 'round me

And eager eyes, 'neath tousled heads

Peer with wonder.

I have become a miracle maker

To two small hearts.

A gingerbread man

With raisin eyes and buttons

And a fat round face.

Oh, wonder of wonders.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - After Thought

After Thought

I scolded them

Because their toys lay scattered on the floor,

A bright array of crayons, and coloring books,

And dolls and cars and building blocks,

And because there was jam on her dress

And grass stains on his knees.

So I sent them off to bed,

But when I came to hear their prayers,

And tuck the cover 'round,

They smiled such lovely smiles

And small arms hugged me tight.

I placed a kiss on each cheek

And turned to the happy task

Of gathering up their treasures for the morrow.

God loaned them to me for this brief time

To teach me patience and love

And to help me open wide the gates of heaven,

But I falter along

And 'mid the weariness of daily tasks

Mark not the passing time.

So I must stop and watch,

And gather up and store

The golden moments of these days

To use when my floors shall be bare and clean

And empty as my heart.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Heather

Heather Lynn, 1997 Heather Lynn Taul, 1976

Heather

Little girls

Are special gifts,

Sent to help us find our way

Back to heaven.

Piano lessons and curls,

Smiles and kittens,

Goodnight hugs

And bright morning kisses.

Just the hint of an angel

And the mischief of earth…

A perfect combination.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Benjamin - January 11, 1995

Benjamin, 1998 Benjamin and Tim, 1995

Benjamin - January 11, 1995

On the eleventh of January in the year

Of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-five,

The gates of heaven opened a little way

And a small angel came through

To find himself at last

Amid the wonders of this earth.

He had waited long

To come into these outstretched arms

Awaiting him

And on that day the love

Of these earthly parents surrounded him.

Now he finds his world

A happy wondrous place of discovery.

From sunrise to sunset

He explores and explores and explores

Today within the safe haven of his home

But tomorrow

His feet will take him into that which lies

Beyond the door.

So hold him close now

And prepare him for the world

He'll be a part of.

Never completely

That gate of Heaven close

So he'll know from whence he came,

And why,

And of the love that brought him forth

To walk upon God's footstool.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Dustin Reed (Dusty) - 1990

Dustin Reed (Dusty), 1998 Dustin Reed, 1992


Dustin Reed (Dusty) - 1990
Angels come in many forms.
Some even look angelic with a peanut butter and jam smeared face.
Our angel Dusty gives an angel's smile
By clenching his eyes shut and offering
His rosebud mouth for a kiss.
Busy! Busy! Busy!
Not a moment of his life must be wasted.
He trots from task to task.
Sometimes I cannot go fast enough for him
And he grabs my hand and impatiently
Pulls me with him on his next adventure.
Upstairs - Downstairs.
Where's the cookie jar? Where's Grandpa?
Hugging Checkers, the dog, then taking
Dino, the dinosaur, from the coffee table,
And telling his secrets to the silent friend.
When the angel tires, he slows down and seeks
Daddy's arms or Mommy's lap, snuggling his
Face against theirs. They find that he really does
Open the 'Gates of Heaven' for them and he often
Lets us all glimpse that place
That sent him to dwell in our midst.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline
Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.
First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Cheyenne Lorraine - October 16, 1988

Cheyenne Lorraine, 1998 Cheyenne Lorraine, 1991

Cheyenne Lorraine - October 16, 1988

"Oh Sunshine"

You came into the world

Loudly announcing your arrival

On an October Sunday morning.

Always in a hurry,

Never content to be still,

Making those around you

Bend to your will.

From the beginning

You found a need to explore.

Before your first steps were secure

You were already climbing

To find what lay beyond your reach.

"Oh Sunshine"

What an adventure life is

And will be for you,

And those who try to follow you.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Christopher Michael - December 17, 1987

Christopher Michael (Toffer), 1998

Christopher Michael - December 17, 1987

With indomitable will

He struts across our world.

His arms reach out to Grandpa

And Grandpa holds him tight.

Our special gift

From a loving Father,

This small boy.

How much he has added to our lives.

He fills the day of those who serve him.

With joy and a bit of heaven,

Touched with mischief and fun.

Our very special "Topher".

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - David Owen - June 2, 1985

David Owen, 1989  - David Owen, 1998

David Owen - June 2, 1985

David Owen,

The first boy to grace his generation

In our family.

He gazes at you with eyes so blue

The sky pales in contrast.

His mischief sometimes leaves the room

In a chaos of scattered toys and books.

"Go sit in the corner.", you say.

He does, but turns to smile a teary smile.

His smile warms your heart

And you free him from bondage.

His laugh is so contagious

That all who hear it

Turn to find the source of such joy.

Then find themselves laughing too.

Knowing not quite why

But knowing the world is better

Because this child is part of it.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Amber

Amber Beth, 1996

Amber

Our Pixie has gone home.

Tonight the angels reached out their hands

And led her back

To that land from which she came.

Our lives will be less because she has left us.

But those who have gathered her home

Are rejoicing this day

And now she can sing with the angel choirs.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Amber Beth - June 13, 1984

Amber Beth, 1994 Amber Beth, 1985

Amber Beth - June 13, 1984

A cloud crosses the sun

And a tear perches precipitously

Upon the tip of a small turned up nose.

But not for long.

The sun comes forth again

And a smile lights the pixie face.

She is our pixie.

An elfin one,

To grace our lives

And bring us close to where fairies dwell.

Our Amber Beth.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Jennie Rebecca - August 31, 1982

Jennie Rebecca (Becca), 1998 Jennie Rebecca, 1985

Jennie Rebecca - August 31, 1982

"I'se special!"

"Are you sure?"

"I'se sure."

And special is she,

Our golden Jennie.

She gathers from where we know not,

Blossoms to lay

On the other Jennie's grave.

Does that other little Jennie of another time

Smile at her namesake?

Of course.

For sunshine follows our Jennie

And life is unending adventure.

The day not long enough

Nor her world wide enough

For her reaching hands

To hold it all.

"I'se special"

Oh golden child, you are special.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Danae - October 25, 1980

Danae Francois, 1986

Danae - October 25, 1980

She is so pretty.

Her braided hair, dark,

Her eyes dark too,

Showing her Frenchness.

But her accent is pure English.

Her teacher and schoolmates

Love to hear her tell of London.

But already she is starting now to speak American,

But, with a touch of the other land.

She is wise beyond her years.

Her singing makes your heart sing.

Her crayons and pencils ever busy,

Telling of the world she sees.

She leaves behind her messages

For you to treasure.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Amanda - March 9, 1977

Amanda Marie, 1995 Amanda Marie, 1981

Amanda - March 9, 1977

Tiny and dark and demanding,

She leads us all into her pathways and byways.

"I will go here!", she says.

And you tag along.

She smiles and sings her own words.

"What is she saying?", you think,

"And to whom is she speaking to?"

Her friends, unseen by us,

But so real to her.

We wish we could follow her.

She lives in her dream world awhile

But then comes bounding back into ours

And we reach out to hug.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Rebecca Kay - February 16, 1972

Rebecca Kay, 1996 Rebecca Of Sunny Brook, 1975

Rebecca Kay - February 16, 1972

Becky is quick silver.

Becky is lightning across the sky.

Her smile lights her face

And the lives of those

She smiles upon.

She dances across the room and across the world.

Adventure is an ice cream excursion with an obedient Grandpa.

One moment, life is a tragic drama, the next, a joyous comedy of happiness.

The world and all in it

Her special friends.

Becky is quick silver.

Becky is lightning across the sky.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Sarah - April 12, 1971

Sarah, 1992 Sarah Strawberry, 1977

Sarah - April 12, 1971

Sariah, I call her, for she is different.

She comes from out of the sky

On the big, man made bird.

We cross the tarmac to the rolling stairway

Pushed up to the opening door.

We wait.

At last the stewardess brings her down.

She smiles and reaches out, letting her knapsack fall.

For a while she will be ours,

Filling our home with her music,

Making mud pies under lilacs,

Walking Skippy on his leash,

And, before bed,

Ending our day with her hugs and kisses.

Then we take her home.

Driving the miles while we listen to her excitement

At each new sight,

We too see things we had missed before.

We return home, lonely,

Waiting for another summer,

And her return.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Catherine - September 11, 1970

Katie, 1996 Catherine LaRie, 1975

Catherine - September 11, 1970

(Numero Uno - ichiban)

Kate is my first.

My first real glimpse of what eternity is.

When I am gone

Something of me,

A step, a gesture which she has copied,

Will be here

Even unto the third generation.

"Oh why are the sunsets red?

And how can a bird fly?"

With her seeking to know

She has revived my jaded interests

And together we explore

The depths of a small flower,

Or the pebbles at the stream's bottom.

I talk to her

As I have not talked to anyone

For two score year and ten

And life is wondrous

Because of my special Kate.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Robyn At Six

Robyn Lynn, 1961 Tim and Robyn, 1993

Robyn At Six

In the glow of early morning

She seems a small golden angel

As she awakens you

To the glory of another of God's days.

An impish smile to warm your heart

Two small arms to hold you fast.

And you, in turn, hug her closely,

Knowing that this is a miracle.

This pink-cheeked happy child,

Another of God's gifts to you.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Johathan David

Jonathan David, 1961 Cindy and Jon, 1981

Jonathan David

"Higher, higher!", you chant

As Daddy's arms swing you higher and higher

Into the sky.

Not content to let your feet touch earth,

You seem always to be reaching for the stars,

Not content with just sitting now,

The rocking chair must go faster, faster!

Hurrying in dreams toward tomorrow.

Little boy, why are you in such a hurry?

The freckles span your face

Beneath a tousled blond head

Your eyes say, "I love you, but hold me not fast

For I have a great world to conquer."

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Evan - Little Boy Blue - LBB

Evan, 1961 Edith and Evan, 1983

Evan - Little Boy Blue - LBB

"Will you wake him?"

"No, not I, for if I do, he'll surely cry."

But, once awake

No walls could hold him.

His explorations

Sent us all to search,

Sometimes just next door

Or just down the block.

But once, three year-old feet

Carried him miles

Into the desert's vastness.

"Where?", you ask, and "Why?".

"To look."

Oh, Little Boy Blue, may you always look

Beyond the next horizon.

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Patricia

Patricia Amanda, 1952 John and Amanda, 1992

Patricia

The coquette stands before the mirror.

She smoothes a wrinkle in her dress,

Pats her face,

Daintily points one small foot

In a ballerina pose

And smiles with delight at what she sees.

If this be she at three,

Oh dear, what will this mother do

When the years count sixteen?

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118

In My Garden - Michael

Michael

His eagerness

Makes the golden arch of freckles

That bridges his face

Dance up and down.

Has there ever before been anything

So wondrous as the zoo

To a little boy of four?

The Writings of Zelda Lorraine Brown Kline

Edited by Owen A. Kline and Michael E. Kline. Assistant Photo Editor David O. Kline

Copyright @1999 The Kline Family Organization, Inc.

First published in the United States of America by The Kline Family Organization, Inc. 4381 West 5375 South Kearns, Utah 84118