“What do you want? A medal?”
Yes.
When it’s all over.
For the courage to meet my fears.
For choosing to be careful when I could have been dismissive.
For choosing kindness when I could have been hurtful.
For choosing patience when I could have been hasty.
For choosing to listen when I could have turned away.
For choosing to accept when I could have condemned.
For choosing silence when I could have spoken in anger.
For the determination, time and again, to honour a better self,
Pin The Star of Bethlehem
over my heart.
Ruth Shadwell, Feburary 2011
