Missing you on Mothers Day my dearest Mum!!

For over 60 years I travelled to or was taken by my parents to visit my "Aunty Bub's" My whole family absolutely loved this lady. She made you feel so welcome and comfortable and she had a way of having a conversation with you (no matter the age of the kid she was talking to) that made you feel safe enough to answer her.

But when ever I stayed and I alwaus wanted to - I never liked staying in the winter because she liked to give everyone porridge for breakfast, and I never liked porridge or milk for that matter and she wouldn't let me off the table until I had eaten it. It was a battle of the wills/hers and mine. But I would not eat that porridge. Eventually she would give in and tell me I was bloddy stubborn like her and she would laugh and give me something else.

She always made special things for kids birthday's, family members who she hadn't seen for a while and friends we all used to bring to visit (and there were many over the years). She welcomed them all and made a bed and a meal and that was up until she couldn't manage it in the last weeks before she passed. But she was detemined to try. She was absolutely incredible and made doing the mundane things around the house, cooking/cleaning/washing/housework all look so simple that you just wanted to get stuck in and help.

I lost count of all the meals she cooked over the years that we visited and cooking and feeding everyone and making them comfortable was the way in which she showed how much she loved each and everyone of us.

One time when Jim and I were taking the Nutritional Products Herbalife, we came out to breakfast and there on the table was a plate of vitamins and minerals and a can of Protein shake. She looked at us and said "Bill and I are having Bacon and Eggs and your having your normal shit" Enjoy it cause we are. Haha! it was so funny because over a 10 year period she had gotten sick of us eating that for breakfast instead of what we used to have with them and she was getting her own back on us. Remember she used to like "feeding everyone to show how much she loved you" and we were eating Shit for breakfast....We couldn't stop laughing. How I loved my Aunty. She had such a fantastic sense of humour...

She was wise, she listened and could always weigh up what was what before she put her 10 quids worth into the fray. She was fair even though at times some os us might have thought she wasn't (if we were on the wrong end of the equation) but in hind sight she was always right.

We (like all of my cousins her children/my siblings and cousins) had many conversations with her over those many years and she particularly loved staying up late "chewing the fat" with anyone game enough to last the distance and then get stuck into the housework/cooking etc" without sleep for the many that arrived over a course of a day to visit with her and there were many.

Another awesome memory was the "vacum cleaner" she'd turn that sucker on real early at least 5.30am - 6am depending on what time she got up and she would bang into every wall (loudly) and if that didn't work she would turn on her "Twin Tub" Hoovermatic washing machine and deliberatly load it in a way that the tub would be outta balance and make a hell of a lotta noise as it tried in vain to do it's job without losing the plot...Now if that didn't work she would march in and say "time to get up - it's afternoon"..She just loved to be able to talk to everyone that stayed with her and use all the time that she could to find out about you and what you were doing in your lives. She was so interested in everything.

She just loved life and the people that were in her world.

We miss you heaps Aunty, you kept all of our ships steady by being there for all of us if we needed you and you never interfered. You gave sound advice and counsel and for that I will be eternally grateful

Love you with ALL MY HEART.  Your Neice Delma xx

Another year has gone by Mum,and we love and miss you just as much as the day you left us 4 years ago!!Sleep peacefully until the day we are together again!!

Miss you more and more each day Mum!!A certain place,song,family gatherings!!We miss your loving face,your kindness,your help when we needed it,and your cooking,hehe!!and your advice,which we didnt always take!!but as long as we have you in our hearts,and memories,you will always be with us mum.xxx

Well mother,the family celebrated dads 94th birthday a couple of days ago,and a good time was had by all that attended.It was so nice to catch up with the whanau,and I think dad was chuffed that they were here for his special day!!Hes hanging in here mum,but needs a lot of looking after now,and we as a family are doing all we can to make his days as comfortable as possible.We know that was your wish mum.I am sure you would be proud of the family,and I believe you are watching over us.The family is still growing,as there has been an addition of Lees twin boys,and I believe that Toni and James are also expecting babies in the very near future.The only sad thing is,they dont get to meet their nanny,but I can assure you that they will know all about you from us mother.We all love and miss you so much mum,but we know that you are with us everyday in spirit and memories.Rest peacefully mum,until we are once again together again.xxxx

Love and miss you so much Mum.Sometimes I feel like you are close by and it helps to know that,even though I cant see you.I went to bed lastnight,feeling a bit emotional about many things,mainly seeing dad slowly fading away,As I lay there,Im sure you were nearby and actually touched me tenderly,as if to say,it will be alright!!!Yes!!it will be alright mum!!xxxx

Maude helping sharnae open her present at her 5th birthday.

I always loved Maude's hands. There was just something about her tanned, soft but hard as when she was slapping someone's ears. Here she is helping Sharnae open presents at her 5th birthday at "the pumpkin" Kowhai park February 2003 with me reading the card.  

We all felt you this day Maude... it was a beautiful day and the sun rays were all around us.... love you ... xx
From left is michael, nae, jim, delma, na-keta, rhianna-maree, ashleigh, jac and hannah .

Love you mum!! Think of you often and miss you so much.I remember so many things about you,and how you were always there for me,and the many happy and sad times we shared together over the years.No matter what the situation was,good or bad,you were always the first one there,even travelling through the night and many miles to get to me.You even wanted me to move home when I was sick,so you could look after me,There is so much I could say about our time together mum,but I will leave that for another day.Just know that you are loved by all your whanau,and we will always carry you in our hearts.R.I.P my beautiful and loving Mother.xxxx

On the 3rd to the 5th of June 2016,some of Mums siblings...George,Jackie and myself (Nadene)and Mums grandson,Lee, plus neices (Delma Heyder)and( Glenda Hancey) Nephew (Marcus Hawkins)and also Delmas husband James Heyder and George Hancey,Glendas Husband.We went on a Hikoi to the Hawkins Marae (Waihua)and the Henrici marae(Mohaka).Our agenda was to find out as much information on our Whakapapa there.We learned so much about our ancestors from that area,and it was a journey to remember always.We got to learn about the history of our whanau,and how we all connect,plus got to meet a lot of Hawkins whanau from that area.We even got to see our great great grandfathers resting place at Te Huki urupa in Mohaka.he was killed in the Mohaka massacre in 1869.For us,it was a big highlight and quite emotional.All in all,the journey was a big success,and even though we still have a lot to learn,its something we are all looking forward to.Im sure you would be proud of us Mum as this was for you and our Aunties and Uncles too.xxx