A bittersweet day.  Yesterday my Mum would have celebrated her 87th birthday, Today is the 33rd anniversary of her death. It’s been a long time and while the hurt fades the memories never do.  Today as part of my training for the Oxfam 100km Trailwalk I walked along the river through Hamilton.  The Potter Children’s Garden is now complete and what a beautiful place to take children it is.  There were a few families taking advantage of splashing and cooling down in the cool, flowing water in the early evening when it was still quite warm,  playing on the swings, slides and seesaws and marvelling at the birds in the aviary.  For me, this Whakatauki etched in the steps said it all.  I think my Mum would have related to the sentiments it evokes.

“Whakarongo ake a ki te tangi a te maru e rere runga rawa ra e, tui tui tui tuia, tuia i runga, tuia i raro, tuia a roti, tuia i rato, tuia a waho, tui tui tui tuia ka rongo te po, ka ringo te ao, tui tui tui tuia.”

” I listen, I listen where up high a bird flies. It’s cry rings out “Sew and stitch and bind it together. From above, from below, from within, from outside. Sew and bind it together. During the day and during the night. Sew and stitch and bind it together.”