LAURA

Ms Arthur said,

‘It’s not

pop stars

or actors

or supermodels

or celebrities

or millionaires

or sports stars

who are lucky and special . . .

it’s

someone who has

a partner

a friend

a parent

who loves them.’

I remember her saying that

when I’m walking home from school

and I see Mum,

waving to me

from the front verandah,

waiting to take me to Johnson’s Café

for a strawberry thickshake,

to celebrate

her one day off work.