Rebecca – Auckland
“One of the last messages I sent was to my brother. I sent him some screenshots of these rocks that like move really slowly across the deserts in California I think, and I just like to talk to him because he moved out of my flat recently.
Family’s important. I grew up in a family of six children and then my mother met a man who also had six kids. So, there’s 12 of us all together and we’re always perceived as this big happy Brady Bunch family.
I have had plenty of friends who have, you know, suffered from depression or suicidal thoughts simply because they don’t either feel accepted or included, and it could be little things, and you would think in a day and age when we’re so connected that people wouldn’t have to feel this way, but they still do.
I think technology has a lot to blame for it. It’s never going to be easy, but I think it’s just, that everyone is feeling more disconnected – especially the young people. I don’t know many people who say they feel like they belong in some part of cute little community anymore. Everyone’s just kind of doing their own thing.
I live on a shared driveway – there’s all identical houses and I know I’ve made sure to get to know all my neighbours and at Christmas time we all joined together and did a Christmas lunch and we just had everyone, like, bring a plate and we took the cars away and put a big marquee up. Now I see my neighbour and she gives me kale to give my pet rabbit every day, and it’s really sweet, and I think getting to know your neighbours is so important, and just no-one knows them.
Dad inspires me. I remember watching him sit and link by link make a chainmail glove and then he was like, that’s not enough; I want to link by link make a whole shield of armour. He has so much patience. You have so much patience to give the world, and you know, maybe I’ve abused that. I don’t know, but you inspire me with the little things you do, and how creative you are and how amazing you are. You need to finish that book you’re writing. I love you and you’re an inspiration.
We have the ability to connect with each other, and you know, like let those connections happen. If you see someone on the bus who is looking tired and needs a seat, you get up and let them take your seat. It’s just little things make peoples day; smile, say thank you, get to know your neighbours, and that’s humanity. That’s giving your attention to someone else for a little while instead of yourself.”
