The difference that one can make

A favourite U2 song of mine has the simplest of titles: One. It's a song rife with religious imagery, including the rhetorical question "Did you come hear to play Jesus, to the lepers in your head?"

Of all the numbers available to lyricists and writers, the number 1 seems to be particularly powerful or resonant. Sure, it does take two baby! And you can knock three times on the ceiling if you want someone! But there is something about the solitary, singular nature of one that reaches in and grabs a hold, both of the singer and the listener, the writer and the reader. Perhaps it's because of the inherent Power of One (now there's a title for a book)?

I have a brochure on my desk for a fundraising dinner being held next month. Promoted as The Difference of One, the dinner is being held to raise money - and awareness - about the Priceless Life Centre (http://pricelesslifecentre.org.au/), a venture which seeks to offer "hope to women, their partners and families" at a time of unexpected pregnancy. The brochure invites "people of goodwill to join with us as we seek to make a difference in lives, one life at a time".

The difference of one, hey? Go one step further on any journey and you are nearer to your destination; increase your effort at the gym, by one kilo, by one push-up, by one extra minute on the treadmill, and you reap the benefits of improved strength and health; tell that special person in your life that you love them, one more time, and you keep the spark of romance alive.

I think it may have been Mother Teresa who said that you don't have to do great things to change the world, "just little things with much love". She was pointing to the power we all have to do the "little things" and do them well, with love. We don't have to play Jesus but, like Him, we can make a difference...the difference of one!

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Wearing my heart on my Yellow Skivvy sleeve

When the Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, stepped down from performing regularly, a lot of hearts broke (both old and young, I suspect - he was quite popular, after all). But it was something he had to, in order to protect his long-term health. No doubt it was a hard decision but, when it came to a choice between staying well or staying as part of one-quarter of an extremely successful performance group, there was only one way he could go.

I find myself thinking of Greg and his decision as I continue to think about life for Celena and I, without our son, Brodie. As we continue to try and put the jigsaw of our family life back together, there are two pictures that could take shape: do we stay together out of habit and the grief we both share? Or do we embrace the sadness and the heartbreak with the same conviction, passion and courage we have taken on all of the emotions and experiences of the past 11 years.

At some point, the Yellow Wiggle had to set aside the expectations of his adoring fans. Circumstances meant that he had to put himself first! I know now that such a stance does not mean one is being selfish. Far from it. It simply shows that if one wants to continue giving, you have to have something to give. Celena and I have lost everything that meant something to us...I hope you will excuse us while we continue to search for a different sense of purpose!
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