They say that time heals all wounds How many times when something sad, mad or bad has happened, do people tell you that “time will heal?” Like most things people say, when the shit hits the fan, it is about finding something to say that says “you are not alone; I am here” But time … Continue reading time
Category: history
bff
I was at a whanau event over the weekend. A close family friend was turning 21, and his whanua and friends gathered to celebrate. My daughter in law was there too, and she watched me hanging out with 2 of my close friends. Later in the weekend she told me, how she had loved seeing … Continue reading bff
lore
I’ve recently spent time with extended whanau. It would’ve been my Dad’s 100th birthday a couple of weeks ago. So we gathered for a lunch in a town, convenient to most, and close to where we had all lived. And as always the whole weekend was a chance to reconnect, to chat, catch up, retell … Continue reading lore
oh ffs!
I tripped today, I may have sworn, a lot, and I sat with skinned knees, a broken toenail and was hugely embarrassed. It occurred to me that I felt like a 6-year-old and just wanted someone to pick me up, give me a hug and dress my wounds. But I’m not 6, and so I … Continue reading oh ffs!
blurred age lines
The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been” -Madeleine L’Engle I recently heard a quote that, as we age, we should make more friends who are younger than us, because as we age, our peers start passing away – and we don’t want to be left … Continue reading blurred age lines
amazing grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. A daily gratitude list is the cornerstone of my recovery programme. Every day I take time to think about 3 things I’m grateful for. A simple way of bringing … Continue reading amazing grace
bonds
I like to collect people. Throughout my life I’ve been lucky enough to have some amazing people come into my life. From school days to now in my late 50s, I have been very fortunate in the people who have tagged along for even part of my life’s journey My oldest friend dates back over … Continue reading bonds
a damp squib
A squib is a small explosive. A damp one is one that just splutters without the required fizz and bang. My partner is a Red Hot Rager. Like a firework his anger burns hot and then it’s done. He never holds resentments or keeps score. I am more the old Mosquito coil. I sit there … Continue reading a damp squib
the accidental athlete
As a young immigrant growing up in NZ in the 70s, it was a challenge for a non-athletic girl. I was uncoordinated; a bit unfit and not really interested in sport, either participating or watching – it didn’t make living in a sports obsessed country that comfortable. I swear most NZers are born with a … Continue reading the accidental athlete
to mourn
A couple of years ago, in the first lockdown. I passed a woman on the beach who was laying out the most beautiful arrangement of flowers in the sand. She stood for a few minutes and then silently turned and walked away. I knew I had witnessed a goodbye. Who, or what, I will never … Continue reading to mourn









