It’s a sad day today, for many Australians. As we come to terms with the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who were killed early this morning in Indonesia, our nation is divided on the fairness of what has happened.

I am sad. I’m sad that the death penalty exists, anywhere, as I believe that no man on earth has the right to take the life of another. No matter what. But instead, today I’m choosing to be grateful.

Today is also the anniversary of the Port Arthur Massacre, cited as the largest gun massacre by a civilian, anywhere in the world. It’s 19 years today since Martin Bryant, a 28 year old at the time, decided to go on a rampage and end the lives of 35 innocent victims and wound many others.

I was meant to be there that day.

I was a chorister with the Australian Rosny Childrens’ Choir, and we had a performance scheduled that April afternoon, at Port Arthur. We had rehearsed for weeks, and we were all ready to go. That morning, we received a phone call through our choir’s ‘phone tree’. Half of the kids in the choir had fallen ill with food poisoning. We hadn’t even been together or eaten in the same place, and I have always felt that someone was really looking after us that day. Our performance was cancelled.

The bus driver that was going to drive us to Port Arthur, instead took a busload of tourists. He, tragically, was fatally shot that day.

I’m grateful for my life. I’m grateful for the circumstances of that day that allow me to be here writing this message today.

I’m also grateful that Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were able to have an impact on so many lives during their time here on earth. No matter what your stance is, they have made an impact. Be it for those who are contemplating committing similar crimes, who may now reconsider, they have made an impact. Be it for the prisoners who were ministered to after Andrew Chan found God in prison, they have made an impact. Be it for the guards and the firing squad who witnessed their faith and heard their songs in their final moments, they have made an impact.

Yes – there are many people in the world today who are suffering, and who continue to suffer. I am grateful for my life. I am grateful for the position I am in to be able to have a right to free speech, a roof over my head, and a beautiful family around me.

I am grateful for choice. The choice to be happy. The choice to make a difference. The choice to make my OWN impact.

What impact will YOU make?

If you’re hurting today, it will help your heart to make an impact on someone else’s life.

Buy someone a coffee, tell them what they mean to you. You never know when your time is up. Do what you can to make an impact, every day.

A charity that has been on my heart today, is the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation. These two little girls were killed that day in Port Arthur, 19 years ago. Their father has created this foundation to make sure that their short lives continue to make an impact for the future of children everywhere.

If a donation to this foundation is your way to make an impact today, it would make my heart happy. :o)

http://www.amf.org.au/AboutUs/

I would love to hear from you and learn about all the different ways you are choosing to make YOUR impact, and what is making you feel grateful today.

Until next time..

Kate x