Tuesday, 12 November 2013: Two Hundred and Twenty Five Days Old

Yesterday was Remembrance Day but it was only today that I found myself with time to reflect on our lives the world I’ve brought my Baby Ayla in to.

We’re definitely in the lucky country. We have so much to be thankful for in Australia – stability, security, abundance, growth – but these things don’t come easily and shouldn’t be taken for granted.

At our current, overwhelming rate of change I worry that the stories of our veterans, their dogged spirit and the raw and honest passion that drove our national sprit could sadly become more legend than memory.

It seems that for new generations, the concept of fighting for your country, or your community, or even for your family is being overridden by a need to fight for yourself.

But while I will raise Ayla to be strong, I will also raise her to be kind. And while I will teach her about passion, I will also teach her about empathy and understanding.

I will help Ayla learn about right and wrong and even the grey patch in between, and I will teach her that no matter how fast and busy life becomes there is always time to stop and say thanks.