John lost his wife, Jan, a year ago and I don't think his daughters Gillian and Carol will mind if I reproduce the poem he wrote to their Mum:

FOR JAN
(John McLaughlin)

You braes and burns and loanings, round the gardens of Benmore,
There we passed so many days; we'll go there now no more.
Where the shy red squirrel and darting deer sport 'neath redwood towers,
Where Eachaig ripples seaward, we spent contented hours.

But now, when I see a redwood tree, or walk in Massan's Glen,
I'm haunted by the fearful fact, that I'll never see you again.
No more to share your soft, sweet smile or hear your wise, warm words,
No more we'll stroll midst redwood trees, squirrels, deer and birds.

So kind and caring, so many friends; to me, you were only lent,
You disliked all that was crude or cruel, intolerant, aggressive or violent,
Your heart was gentle, generous - good: you were your parent's girl,
You could have taught the world to sing, it would be a better world.

For forty two years, our union was loyal, steadfast, honest and true,
But, sadly, when the parting came; so little time for adieu.
Though deep in my being I always knew, that all good friends must part,
That parting yet is hard to bear, like a corkscrew through my heart.

But, in every ancient Argyllshire stone, in Isla, Prosen and Clova,
I'll see your face and hear your voice, until my days are over.
And, when the wheel of my life runs out, with no sorrow left to heal,
Maybe, love, then, we'll meet again, in the lasting land o' the leal.

Glossary. loanings, paths. leal, loyal, the afterlife – 'a happy rest for the mind in this dark pilgrimage', Lady Nairne, writer of Land o' the Leal (1798).

John.
20 December 2008.