Now – An Introduction

Best place to start as they say, is at the beginning – but I feel the need to explain where I am now. I believe it important to know that at this moment in time, we are happy – and life goes on.

In reality, I could not be any closer to where I wanted and perhaps, needed to be in life. The irony of it all is that with the exception of the last three years, I never had a plan. We were fortunate that we could “wing’it”, and things worked out. Life in it’s weird and wonky way, seemed to know where we needed to go and we just followed our nose. Call it the power of positivity, fate or just good luck ? – I have no idea. Every juncture in my and our life often required sacrifice. Some hard decisions were made, but done so with the confidence that we were doing the right thing. The outcome of those decisions have only now been realised with the benefit of hindsight. I must admit that all my personal, social and professional decisions were heavily biased toward my family. If my family were happy, then that made me happy too.

Hi, my name is Willy. I am a 58 year old New Zealand Maori. My wife and I have been together for forty years and married for thirty six. Ours was love at first sight and for all those who are shaking their heads as we read – we are still living the dream.

I am an Underground Hardrock Miner by trade and have been since 1977 when men were men, and work was real (I had to chuck that in ’cause I have seen huge changes in attitude since then). I really enjoyed those early years on the job. Everything was so uncluttered. The work was a catalyst for who we are today. It has given so much more than just a regular pay check for the last 40 years, but thats a story for another day.

Our Grandchildren.

We have three children;

Our Babies

Our Son (35) who I feared would become the worlds oldest international backpacker finally settled in WA, Australia. He married a lovely dutch girl and and blessed us with grandson #3, Chachi (9mth). He also blessed us with grand-daughter #1, Mia (14y) from a previous relationship but he neglected to tell us until well after she was born. In his early years I nicknamed him “Bro”, because he was my mate, my shadow. Always there to help or get in the way – either/or, it didn’t matter. He was my Bro.

Our eldest Daughter (33) would shake her booty as a toddler which earned her nickname Hoochy. She married a fiery red head from Broken Hill, NSW Australia. They gifted us grandson #1 (5y). He was born with large hands which always seemed cold so his mother would put mittens on him. This earned him the Nickname “Mitty”. Then came grandson #2 (3y). He was 13 weeks premature and it was touch and go for awhile. I don’t think we appreciated the implications nor the seriousness of his situation. Looking back now, I thank God we were never tested. Any how, he always had a Beanie on to keep his tiny head warm and to hold all the monitoring cables in position. Naturally he earned the nickname “Hutty” (Hatty actually, but Hutty rolled off the tongue better). We are beginning to understand how he survived his premmy birth. He is a fighter. Give no quarter and take no prisoners, the little cutie.

Our second Daughter (19) is finally growing out of the demanding, spiteful, self centered, stubborn all knowing bitch phase, and evolving into an approachable young adult (yes, we did spoil her). Up until recently, she earned several not very nice nicknames which we shall not divulge because she’s coming good, I just know it. She spent time with her sister in Australia but decided to return home to NZ. Unfortunately she come back with a growth on her left shoulder, and called it her boyfriend. All the names we offered so far have been nicknames playfully attached to the individual characteristics. So “Dick” has been a disappointment. He comes with the standard modern day teenage traits but what is most annoying (and concerning) is that he brings an escalating level of violence into the relationship. It’s not that I fear for her safety – my girl can handle herself to a point. The problem is, she will not take a backward step, but that’s a story for another day.

And here we are, happy in our lot. Smiling back on our history and looking forward in anticipation. I apologise if I have made it sound so easy because it wasn’t. The road we traveled was often rough and meandering but the effects of that journey diminished after a period. As they say, “time heals all wounds” – we can vouch for that.

So where to next?. I will take you back to where it all began. My family structure was not your typical Mum, Dad, Bro and Sis. Back in the 60’s there appeared to be a lot of free loving so Maori families were almost always extended. Our Mother died due to complications with her sixth pregnancy. Our Father remarried to a woman who apparently didn’t want a bar of us so we were raised by an Aunt. A lot of politics involved, politics that would haunt us well into our adulthood.

So what are you thinking. If you have any questions please put them out there. I know I am a little old school and that won’t change much. I find old school less chaotic, peaceful, which suits my thoughtful nature.

Peace and love to you all.

Rotoaira Forest, Turangi

Lake Rotopounamu, Turangi

Venice, Italy

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton