I wish I knew before

2 years ago on a cold Saturday the phone rang unexpectedly. My eldest niece Summer had been up all night with severe earache. The doctors advice was to get her to hospital for treatment -I was, naturally ready to run out the door and do whatever needed to be done to ease her suffering. I jumped in to the car and almost stuck to the speed limit on my way to pick them up.

In an attempt to calm her, I gave Summer my scarf to look after as it was the same colour as her fleece. The day passed and I never got the scarf back.

We were visiting today, when I discovered the scarf laying on the floor. My sister was a little reluctant to offer it back, but my Mum trying to be helpful retrieved it to take home. The afternoon wore on (one of those afternoons that although perfectly ordinary is worth treasuring). Summer, now 4 and big sister to two discovered the scarf at some point and told us -in the way that only a child can that Nanny had taken her scarf.

What happened next, floored me on so many levels. My sister beckoned me to the living room, where I found Summer curled up crying, I asked her what was the matter; 'Nanny has taken my special scarf, it's my special one'. Talking to my sister, I discovered that when she is a little upset or frightened, the scarf has become a source of comfort and it is not unusual for her to sleep with it close by. At four years old, she knew that the scarf was mine (was being the operative word) but she could not bear to part with it.

The purpose of this post is not to celebrate my relationship with my niece or boast in anyway. I wish I had known how important this scarf had become because it represented me. We all go through dark times where life isn't all we hope it will be. It's moments like this that make life worth living. Rarely do we realise the value of the small things we do in life, a smile, remembering someones name, a shoulder to cry on, a scarf -small acts of kindness DO change lives. It may not curb riots or end injustice but I challenge you reader to thank those around you for the ways they have made your world a brighter place -and ofcourse every day look for opportunities to build up those around you