It’s mentioned that it’s the little issues that depend and if there was ever a time to depend the little issues it’s now.
To be thankful for the issues that matter most. To take a second to understand what we do have, and never what we don’t.
To cease and pause and be glad about, nicely, the little issues.
As a result of the occasions of the previous week or so remind us that life as we all know it may change in a heartbreaking second.
That the issues we want we had – smaller thighs, a much less scraggy neck, an even bigger residence – matter little within the nice scheme of issues.
That it’s the well being and security of the folks we love and cherish that issues most.
Grant Stevens, the state’s police commissioner, selflessly reminded us of this through the week when he penned a heartfelt letter about his beloved son Charlie.
The youngest of 5 kids, the 18-year-old tragically died after being struck by a automotive close to Victor Harbor through the 2023 Schoolies Competition.
Referring to him as “101” – the 100 and first misplaced life on South Australian roads this yr – Commissioner Stevens sought, amid his household’s personal unthinkable grief, to remind us of the preciousness of life. The beautiful perfection of the lower than good that any dad or mum can relate to.
“I’m scripting this sitting in a bed room with soiled garments on the ground, an unmade mattress, six consuming glasses lined up on the bedside desk, an empty KFC field subsequent to the glasses, wardrobe doorways left open … it’s a mess and it’s good. That is the place 101 lived,” he wrote.
“101 is Charles Stevens – Charlie, Charlie Boy, Chas, Hyperlinks, Steve.
“You lived life and gave a lot to so many. You had been a pressure of nature and we are going to always remember your stunning cheeky, disarming smile.
“Son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin, mates, workmate, teammate. A lot greater than only a quantity on a tragic tally.”
I had the pleasure of assembly Charlie and witnessing first-hand the gorgeous, cheeky smile all who knew him discuss, of seeing the twinkle in his eye and watching as he generously and warmly embraced others, the cool children and shy children alike.
It was simply earlier than heading to observe my 16-year-old play cricket that I learnt the terrible information of Charlie, not capable of realize it, or start to think about his household’s heartache.
Abruptly, it mattered little if my son made a 100 runs or none, if his staff gained or misplaced, all that mattered was that I’d get to see his cheeky smile and eye twinkle put up sport.
That I’d get to listen to in regards to the screamer of a day certainly one of his teammates had, and one other mate’s hilarious stinker.
The contentious umpire determination – there’s all the time obtained to be a minimum of one.
To listen to of the good-hearted sledging he’d given a pal taking part in on the opposing aspect out of earshot of the coach and his opposition mate’s intelligent comeback.
Most significantly, that I’d get to hug him, holding on slightly longer and tighter than traditional, abruptly relishing the duty of once more having to get the pesky grass stains out of his smelly cricket whites.
Forward of the sport, I’d made a batch of scones for our college’s common umpire – his teatime favorite – as a pre-Christmas present meant as a small present of my appreciation for his placing up with my boys the previous few years – their eye-rolling, over-the-top appeals and on-field enjoyable.
I used to be pissed off as I made them, in some way having managed to misplace between the grocery store and residential the cream I’d purchased for them the earlier night, sending me right into a mini “how-come-nothing-is-ever-easy” meltdown.
It was mid tantrum that I occurred on the devastating information of Charlie, abruptly shocked again to uncooked actuality.
Through the week we additionally learnt the faces and tales of the “fathers, moms, sisters, brothers and mates” killed on SA roads forward of Charlie in 2023 – their household and mates’ lives ceaselessly modified in probably the most harrowing of the way.
Too typically we fear about issues – and folks – that don’t matter, as a substitute of what does – time with our youngsters, laughter with our mates, connecting with good folks. Treasuring the now, taking a second to be form, to smile at a stranger.
To scent the proverbial roses.
It was the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who famously mentioned: “The little issues are infinitely crucial.”
Initially printed as Courageous dad Grant Stevens reminds us it’s the little issues that matter | Rebecca Whitfield-Baker
