Celebrating Small People

Today is a special day. Not that every other day is not special. Perhaps, more, today is about some special people, small people with pure hearts and big hopes. Do we all know little ones like this? 

Just yesterday evening I bumped into two I know, full of hugs and excited about their music lessons, curious about "Why?" (their favourite lens). Off they went with special mummy B, home to look after their hamsters Apollo and Dobbie. Another special small person I know phoned this morning to tell me she won first prize in the school talent contest yesterday. She is 6. It was the Veggie Song. I don't even know the song but I'm still voting for it. And on Saturday, yet another special small person showed me an amazing animation he made of his break-dancing dad, and I was impressed with this 'homework task' that made all of us crease up laughing and chat about ideas, kid and adult alike. That is clever homework. That is how they will feel confident to apply their "Why?" and come up with great plans in this life.

Having small people around is important. They are important. They stop us bigger people forgetting how to let joy out. Kids will be kids whatever their circumstances, and in all their tenderness they also show incredible resilience. We have a lot to learn from them, and so today is celebrated.

Today is International Day of the African Child. 

From Street Action UK website:

The Day of the African Child, celebrated on 16 June commemorates when, in 1976, hundreds of school children were killed in Soweto, South Africa while taking to the streets to march against an inferior education system and the right to be taught in their own language. In 2011, the African Union is celebrating the 21st annual day with a focus on street children. As the children of Soweto inspired a generation to rise up against apartheid in South Africa, we are supporting our partners across Africa in giving children freedom from a life on the streets and the choice of a better future. [read more]

Today, let's celebrate—and remember—special, special small people. 

{Today's Soundtrack: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues}