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Pin YOUR EARS back

My dad was a keen supporter of the Auckland Eastern Suburbs Rugby grade teams in the 1960’s. My twin brother Chris was a flanker (forward) and I was a winger (back). Dad would often position himself next to the opposition team’s try line and corner post. I would listen to him calling out to me, “Pin your ears back son!” This signal meant it was time for me to run as fast as I could to hopefully score a try in the corner. In a quieter voice, dad would then say, “A dollar a try.” He never paid. lol.  In her younger years, my niece Lucy was inspired to run faster at athletic meetings by her grandpa (my dad) telling her in a joking way, “Run like there’s an angry dog chasing you.” It worked. Now our grandchildren play a variety of team sports and individual sports activities and Val and I love the way our daughters and their partners use encouraging words to motivate their children and other team players. Recently, I was watching a grandson playing touch rugby in Papamoa. His dad and t...
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SUPERMARKET SURPRISE

Have you ever had your payment card declined? In public view this can be rather embarrassing. A Raglan friend of mine was in a supermarket queue. A man in front of her had his card declined 3 times as he tried to pay and he was increasingly mortified each time. She said to him, “Not to worry, I’ll pay for your groceries.” He was so surprised. A better word would be stunned. “You are so kind.” And the checkout operator added, “How wonderful. That’s such a generous thing to do.” My friend just smiled - such a thoughtful, generous individual.  Paying it forward like that is not uncommon in New Zealand, especially in supermarkets.  Another time, also  in a supermarket an old man was shakily counting out his money for a TV guide booklet and didn’t have enough. “I’ll pay for it,” she quietly said to the checkout operator.  “Are you sure?” Another smile and a nod. The old man walked away mumbling a thank you.  My friend also gives away her grocery promotion stickers to...
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LIFESAVERS - Everyday people

Did you know…  New Zealand needs over 5000 blood donations every week to ensure blood and plasma are available for those in need. The gift of blood can only be given from one person to another and there is no substitute. Hospitals rely entirely on volunteer donors to keep supplies available. Donations are needed for accident and trauma victims, patients undergoing major surgeries or organ transplants, people fighting cancer and undergoing chemotherapy and mothers and babies during difficult childbirth (Source: New Zealand Blood Service Website).  I spoke with some Raglan locals this past weekend about why they donate blood. Kim said, “Cancer runs in our family, so it’s kind of what we do as a family. It’s so valuable to help. You even get notified when your blood is being used and the donating experience is really positive.” Johnny had a few thoughts too.  “A machine cannot provide it. We produce it for free. Did you know we have to import blood? I’ve been giving blood fo...
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MEANWHILE back on a tiny Tongan ATOLL…

Ken is a founding member and current chairperson of the Kowhai Youth Trust based in Warkworth. After finishing at Mahurangi College, he spent a year with VSA (Volunteer Service Abroad) helping the atoll locals and immersing himself in life on a tiny Tongan atoll in the South Pacific Ocean. Way back then and also now he is a man driven to providing opportunities for others to improve themselves.  The trust is set up to provide financial assistance for youth in education, health, culture and sport. Details of how they do this are on their website.  I asked Ken for one of his favourite stories of a successful ‘giving moment’.  “We don’t just hand out money. Years ago a mum needed winter clothing for her children. Rather than handing over money I said that I would meet her at The Warehouse shopping centre. We went shopping together. It humanised and personalised the whole giving and receiving experience. I still remember with some emotion, the joy on her face.”  The trus...
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MONDAY evenings in RAGLAN

There is a celebration of community and kai (food) in Raglan every Monday from about 5pm to soon after 6pm. Jono and his partner Saras organise, cook and present food to anyone in our community, from a tiny empty shop on Bow St.  It’s aptly called Community Kai. You pay what you can for your meal. Your donation (koha) will often pay for someone else’s meal too. Some food items are also donated from local food businesses and locals.  I spoke with Jono about why he and Saras do what they do. His reply was simple. “We do this because everyone is struggling. Money shouldn’t be a barrier to good healthy, plant-based food (no dairy, no meat, no onion and no garlic!) and it helps to bring people together.”  I also spoke with Dominico, a regular earlier in the evening. He said.  “I like coming because of community values in action. Eating unites us with something nourishing. What’s cool is that everyone deeply appreciates what Jono does for us. People look forward to startin...
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TABLE for TWO or FOUR

School holidays in New Zealand have begun and we  started the holidays with a few nights in Taupo.  On our first night Val and I went back to the Two Mile Sailing Club. It’s not really a sailing club at all, rather a lakefront wood fired pizza, drinks and live music place. We sat down and within seconds a couple next to us invited us to join them at their table. Invitation accepted! Craig (apologies Craig I can’t remember your partner’s name) and his partner are locals and have recently retired from the police. We laughed lots and shared animated conversations together. Such a friendly, welcoming couple as we met as strangers and left as new friends.  On our last night in Taupo we went out for dinner at Dixie Browns. It was freezing and we were blown through the front door. Looking around, the restaurant was full and no, we hadn’t booked. The waitress told us there was a 45 minute wait to get a table so we proceeded to sit at the bar to wait. A few moments later she walke...
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ONE of THOSE days

My oldest daughter was driving through the city of Tauranga the other day, when she heard and felt her left back tyre blow out. Very scary for her. The car got the wobbles but she managed to slow down and park her wayward car on First Avenue.  Tears flowed as Sarah rang Richard. His calm response and advice was helpful, but he was unable to leave work. She then rang Johnny, “Yep, on my way.”  A nearby random woman saw Sarah’s distress, stopped her car, walked over the road and gave her a massive hug. More tears. Jaz said, “I see you’re having a ‘bleep bleep’ day!” She then showed Sarah the ‘secret compartment’ in the car that held the spare tyre.  Johnny duly arrived and the two J’s recognised each other. Cousins.  Johnny jacked the car up and swapped tyres. While chatting to me about it  Sarah commented, “Kind people surrounded me. Being kind in a practical sense was the right thing to do.”  Later the same day, Kare, another friend gave her some encouragin...
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