Listening to my youngest talk about Harmony Day on the way to school this morning made me realise how far we have come. When I was 11, diversity was not celebrated.  My European father and my Eurasian mother were quite out of the ordinary.  So as a young person trying to fit in, I kept my heritage pretty quiet.

Now I celebrate it!  I have so many wonderful photos that show the diversity of my family. I carefully write down the stories my mother and aunts and uncles tell to preserve them. Below is a photo of my Great Great Grandmother (seated far left).  My Great Grandmother is second girl from the left in the back row.

I love this picture so much for all that it says about my past and how it guides my future. When I feel frustrated by intolerance, I remember how a single Chinese mother was loved and cherished by an upstanding gentleman. He married her and they had five more children, all before the turn of the last century. 

Loving God, just as you chose your apostles from all walks of life, we pray that we may follow your example and embrace the unique qualities that each of us possess, so that we may bring about harmony on this earth. We pray to the Lord.

Tolerance, harmony and diversity can be celebrated everywhere.  Happy Harmony Week everyone!

Haromony Day and Cross Country Practice - Year 1