Mere | Karaka
“The best thing that happened to me last week; the joy of having my 87-year-old mother with us to this day.
She’s an amazing lady, and she has long-term memory loss, but, in saying that, she repeats her stories very often, and these stories are something that, we hold dear to us, and to be fair, they’re very consistent and they’re very raw, and they’re very real. So yes, that was probably, and it always will be a highlight of our week, with our mum, because she repeats the many, many stories that she has, and we have learned over time to appreciate the stories, and listen to them, as if they’re the first time we’ve ever heard them. Very grateful for those small things, and very grateful for the blessings that have come with it – we love our mum very much, and for those who know me, she loves you, too.
I’ve had a wonderful childhood, specifically being born and bred here in Pukekohe, beautiful Pukekohe, back in the late ‘60s. My parents decided that they had enough of urban living, so we returned back to my mother’s home ground, which is out at Whatapaka, Karaka, Papakura on the beautiful Manukau Harbour. That is our papa kāinga there now, and our hau kāinga. So, that’s where I’ve been brought up, the majority of my life since I was 11. There I was taught many beautiful aspects about being who I am, who I identify myself as and therefore that is what has capitulated me into where I’m going. Yeah very thankful. Had an awesome childhood.
I come from a huge family – there’s 13 of us, and I’m at the end of the food chain. I tell everybody that. Apparently, when you’re at the end of the food chain, and you’re the baby, you’re the boss. I have eight brothers, four sisters, and myself. My parents have been the most amazing parents I could possibly ask for.
So, why do I do what I do for my mum? It is because of the way I’ve been brought up. In saying that, it was only about 10 years ago my mum had asked me, or she did her Karanga to me in regards to coming home to look after her and I was in Australia at that time, and it was like, oh how am I going to do this – and shall I do this – how can I do it? I just said to Mum, oh Mum look there’s heaps of us, why don’t you just put our names in a hat, and just pull one out? But, she wanted me. She said, no because you’re my baby, and I want you to come home. So, with that, I’ve been home now for 10 years, and love it.
There’s a been a few challenges. Actually quite a number of challenges along the way, in terms of looking after Mum, but in her wholeness, in her āhua that she holds, and her mana that she holds, I would not be in any other place right now. My family too are very supportive and having the family around makes that support a whole lot easier. We have at times had some real lows with Mum; she’s been quite ill, but then she makes a come-back, and she just like spins us all out, and just all of a sudden, it’s like, oh wow.
We’re very fortunate to have longevity in our line. Mum’s quite determined to be here for a long time. We’re looking forward to the time we do have with her. I can only but say that I’ve been enriched by having my mum, and looking after her, amongst all the trials and the tribulations, learning how to deal with the small behaviours that come with her but because I look at my mum every day, and I say to myself, this is my mum, and I’m lucky to have my mum. Kia ora. Love you, my mum.”
