Priorities

And so ... what is our priority?

We backtrack a little to the day that "Aunty Susie and Miss Virginia" came to St Andrews school. Shoepal#1 was psyched; preparing (?) his introduction. Shoepal#3 was not feeling well, and hadn't been for a few days. But "AUNTY SUSIE AND MISS VIRGINIA are coming to school, so I want to go too".

So we went, and together we witnessed a powerful assembly, as students watched Sue and Virginia present information about the differences in cultures and environment between two groups of children of similar ages; and the students were captivated (both by the information, and Virginia's unique passion of delivery).

And yet, I noticed that Shoepal #3 was grey. So after assembly, we went to hospital where he stayed for 3 days, being most unwell.

As a mother, what do I feel? I feel grateful. My child was very very sick. I took him to the hospital (5 minutes from school), and received medical intervention (literally medicine) within minutes of him needing it. Our hospital is 3 minutes from our home, and the doctors are skilled and caring. What a privilege. This was NOT how it would have been in Malawi.

As a mother, what do I feel? I feel proud. My 7-yr-old wanted to help the children of Malawi; his actions have had a ripple effect which has produced nearly 2000 shoes, and changed many more lives. My 9-yr-old felt the importance of the moment so much that he wanted to be a part of it so much that he ignored his own sense of illness as long as he could.

So, how do I change the future as a 'stay at home mum'? Well, I look at my boys, and how they are growing, as in homework tonight one studies the structure of the South Australian government, and the other studies where in the world people in his family were born, and I know that the youth of today truly are the strength and power of tomorrow; may we instill in them a love of the world, and all that is right and fair. And if that means learning how to gather shoes and send them (without political obstruction) to Malawi (because that's where Miss Virginia was born), ............ then this is a powerful role to be playing in the future of our world.

What are our priorities? To do all the little things we can, until we can do bigger things, because all things will effect a change. May my boys learn that they can do great things with little feet until their feats become bigger.