The Message Project: A New Life

This is is a story about grabbing an opportunity with both hands, taking risks and starting afresh. Being grateful for the little things and the big things too…

It was 1977, a young couple in Argentina were feeling uneasy after a military coup. The country and its people were living under an oppressive dictatorship, the future looked grim. Neighbors, work colleagues and friends were ‘disappearing’, some were tortured, others killed. With a two-year old toddler and a baby on the way an opportunity presented itself…Australia.

They had only one week to make a decision, a very hard decision. Leave behind all their family, their worldly possessions.  Travel half way around the world to a place they knew nothing about, with a language they didn’t speak, toddler in tow and baby on the way.

The last charter flight to Australia was leaving from Chile and it was their only chance.  What would you do?

They knew what to do.  They packed two suitcases, found a doctor to falsify medical documents for permission to fly, and said good-bye to family and friends. It was a risk, it was an opportunity, it was a new beginning.

This is not only their story, this is my story too. I was the two-year old and this couple were my parents, they gave up everything they knew for my sister and I, and for that I am grateful.

There were some tough times in the beginning, we didn’t have much, but we had each other and we were safe.

I often think about the decision they had to make, would I be willing to give up everything I own for the possibility of something better? Thousands do every day.

This wonderful country gave us a chance. A chance to work and study, to contribute and be happy, and for that I am grateful.

A country where your political affiliations or the people you associate with are yours to choose freely, without fear for your life or that of your family. It’s something that we all take for granted and that’s the way it should be…and for that we should all be grateful.

That’s my message.

This post is part of the The message project story. This post is part of Mount Franklin’s #themessageproject, celebrating the work of the McGrath Foundation.

Cintia Gonzalez-Pell has been blogging since 2007 at creative wonderland,  My Poppet.  Find her on Instagram or Twitter @mypoppetshop too.  She  also hangs out on the My Poppet Facebook page - become a fan.