Letter to Students 18th November 2007

Dear Reader

I am writing this as I sit in front of a roaring fire in our wee cottage which sits beside our house.  This is a place where I find total contentment, and I look forward to many hours sitting here writing. The former owner was a writer, and when I first met him eighteen years ago, he spent many hours here writing at his desk.  I had bought my house in Portobello, and one sunny day he invited me over to sit on the steps of his house and share a beer.  It was the only time we met, as he soon left the house and rented it out till he finally put it up for sale in March of this year.  I vividly remember our conversation all those years ago as I thought that this cottage was my dream of the perfect cottage.  I had only owned my house for a few weeks, and although I had fallen in love with it, I had really wanted to buy an old cottage with a verandah and a lawn which swept down to big old fruit trees.  A sun dial stood in the middle of the lawn, and glimpses of the harbour added to the charm of this paradise.  However, over the years of this tenanted property,  the house and property suffered from a lack of tender loving care, and by the time it came up for sale, the hedge had encroached ten metres onto the lawn, and once magnificent trees were gnarled and twisted.  No longer was there a view of the sea as the trees had grown too tall, and the house languished through lack of sunlight.  When Han woke me from a rare Sunday slumber back in March and told me to run down the drive, I couldn’t believe that the house was up for sale.  The owner had sworn that he would never sell his retreat from the rat race, and I had believed him.  I was even more surprised when he accepted our offer on the house, and within a week of the house going onto the market, it was ours.  I felt so truly blessed!  What is your dream house and garden?

Since that day of possession of the house, we have spent many hours toiling over the section. Do you enjoy gardening?  I love being out in the garden on a sunny day, and it gives me the chance to reflect on my life, and hopefully put things into perspective. Han has almost sweated blood as he cut down the massive hedge which divided our two properties and weeks have been spent getting rid of the branches, either cutting, carrying and stacking wood, or chipping branches and carting them across the road to our other section.  Tonight, we sat on the verandah, and truly appreciated all our hard work.  We had a barbecue of kebabs which we made, and enjoyed a bottle of red wine as we chatted with our children.  Telephoning our daughter in Cromwell, we learnt that it was still 25 degrees at night, and although the temperature had dropped and we had lit a gorgeous fire in our huge old fireplace, I had no desire to rush off to Central Otago.  I really love the heat, but I wouldn’t have swapped this special evening for anything.  Han and I decided that we would stay the night in the cottage, and this is only the second night we have actually stayed the night here.  Han has put on some of my favourite Christmas music, and I feel so contented. Contentment is something that has not come easily to me, but I can truly say that I am happy with my lot.  How could I not be?  Of course, there is still so much to be done in and around the houses, but our motto is, “nibble, nibble,” and every day we do a little more.  What is your favourite kind of music?  I love playing Christmas carols and songs at this special time of year, but the children always cringed when they heard these songs when the “big four” were living at home.  One year, I decided not to put my music on as we were decorating our big Christmas tree, and they asked my why it wasn’t playing.  When I explained to them that I knew they didn’t like it, they immediately agreed but said it was an important part of the tradition, and insisted I put it back on!  This reminds me that on the first Saturday of December we buy a big Christmas tree, and then dress it the following day with all the family.  We have a big barbecue, and this gets us into the swing of Christmas.  What do you do at Christmas time?  It is my favourite time of the year.  The weather isn’t usually great in Dunedin, but we make the most of the season by lighting a fire and pretending that snow will come!  It is funny having Christmas in summer, and although I have been brought up with a summer Christmas, it doesn’t fit the image of snow, hot toddies, and a big Christmas dinner of Turkey, roast lamb and Christmas pudding.

Yesterday, I awoke early to the most glorious morning, and had an early walk around the area with Han.  The night before, we had popped in to see neighbours who are building an amazing bedroom onto their home to take full advantage of the view of the harbour, and I invited them for dinner last night as we had so much news to catch up on.  Therefore, I headed off to town early on Saturday morning so that I could do the grocery shopping before doing some work.  The weather was stunning, and I felt so positive.   After doing some gardening, I prepared a big dinner, and yet had time to sit in the garden with Han and share a wine.  I had bought him a fig tree and raspberry bush, and we toasted our good fortune, which we in no way take for granted.  We don’t believe in luck, but just hard work.  Sometimes, life deals us a bad hand, but we do believe that we are masters of our own destiny, at least most of the time!  I do believe there is a God, but in what form he takes I am not sure.  There certainly is a huge spirit which binds us and all we do, and I believe that it is so important that we keep in tune with this spirit and listen to it.  Do you believe in God?

On my way home from the university yesterday, I popped in to see a Japanese friend and her husband, and invited them for dinner as well last night.  They are a wonderful couple, and although retired, are so active and interesting.  Tomiko spoke Japanese with Shahan, and I was delighted to hear Shahan speak in the Japanese she had learnt after her six months in Nagano, Japan.  I have now finished teaching Japanese at high school, and really enjoyed the experience.  It is amazing to think that the school year is nearly over for high school students, and that the university students have finished their exams and have headed out of Dunedin.  The city is so much quieter without the university students, and many restaurants close after Christmas as the town almost shuts down till the “riotous” students return.  I actually hate the reputation Dunedin is gaining for a city in which its university is the setting for burning couches and delinquent students.  It is only a minority of students, but they give everyone a bad name.  What is the university like in your home town?

Han has just popped into bed, and has remarked that Shahan will love having a party for her friends in this cottage.  It has such a special spirit.  I have put the fire screen up, and will close now as Han drifts off to sleep.  I look forward to seeing you soon, and sharing your news.  What is the best thing that has happened to you recently?  Keep writing as it is such a wonderful habit to have, and I feel so good when I write.  You are able to put things in perspective on paper, and ordering your thoughts through the discipline of writing makes your days more manageable.  I am now off to read the latest magazine we have bought, and then gradually drift off to dream land.

Love

Sharron