Thanks to my two-year-old daughter Stella, who helped me rediscover what really matters in life.
I became a mother at the age of 40, and I didn’t realise how completely it would change my life.
Stella is at the age now where she’s discovering new things the whole time. I’m with her on the journey, and it reminds me about what life is all about and what truly matters.
When you have a young child you realise how important the tiny details are – the flowers, the insects, pet cats and dogs, and the clouds in the sky.
You rediscover things you were taking entirely for granted: so many things I’d have rushed past, on the way to an important meeting (I’m a former government minister). Now I am ready to take a moment to pause and enjoy them.
These days whenever I’m at important meetings at the UN or wherever, I’m always aware that what it’s all about is this little girl, and all the others like her.
Today’s children aren’t tomorrow’s generation, they’re today’s. They have so much to teach us, right now; and we have so much to be grateful to them for.
Is there someone you’d like to say thank you to? Write to us at magazine@observer.co.uk
