Letter to Students 21 September 2008

Dear Reader

What a wonderful season spring is, isn’t it? Even though we had such a very wet winter, we are being rewarded by a fabulous spring with the trees dripping with fabulous white blossom.  Han and I have loved walking around the garden, and have finished the weeding which took so much time last weekend.  I am feeling rather tired this evening as last night we hosted a potluck dinner as a fundraiser for the Labour party, and we had an enjoyable evening with people who are politically like minded.  Clare Curran is the new candidate for the Labour Party in South Dunedin, and because she lives in Portobello, we met her at a friend’s house and we got on well.  We believe that Clare believes in the Labour ideal of equality for all, and it is hoped that she continues the Labour tradition of holding the South Dunedin seat.  If Labour loses this seat, Labour will lose the election nationwide as it is such a stronghold for Labour.  There was a lot of food eaten, a lot of wine drunk, and a lot of interesting topics discussed last night, and we didn’t get to bed till very late.  Jan had stayed up to watch the netball and the rugby league so he kindly helped with the dishes.  I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, and felt a little jaded on waking.  However, today the weather was still nice, and although windy, we sat on the verandah and looked at the amazing clouds as we ate breakfast.  Han was keen to get into the garden, and I had to cook for the Dunedin Otaru SisterCity “ohanami,” the Japanese custom of sitting under cherry trees, and enjoying the special season.  We chose the University of Otago to be the venue for this special occasion about five years ago because of its glorious cherry trees, and have gathered there at this time of year, when the weather has permitted.  The university has planted dozens of these fabulous trees which display their spring finery at this time of year.  Today, I was delighted that so many people gathered, and the winds died down to allow us to sit and enjoy the delicate petals above it. I find such blossom indescribably beautiful, and I feel bereft of descriptive words at this time. We all shared our food, and it was such a special day. I was only sorry that I had to leave early as I had to go to the airport to pick up our new student, Fiona from Hong Kong, and I thanked everyone for coming, and we sang happy birthday to one of our members. 

On returning home, our second daughter was at home with her two children, Ella and Jade.  We had a big dinner together, and we love evenings like tonight.  Han had worked so hard while I was away, and although he said he felt guilty for not coming with me to the cherry blossom picnic, he was thrilled to break the back of the vegetable garden which needed a lot of attention.  Han is as happy as a sand boy when he is in the garden, and he loves nothing better than showing me what he has been doing. 

It is wonderful being a wife and mother, but sometimes it is difficult.  Han and I have brought our children up to be independent, but by doing so, you have to realise that they may make decisions with which you do not agree.  Shahan rang me yesterday morning to say that she had had her tongue pierced, and I could immediately feel my cheeks turn red, and I blurted out, “Why would you do that?” and then immediately regretted it.  I knew that Shahan would have planned it in advance, and although I think a pierced tongue is bad for your teeth, makes you talk with a kind of lisp, and doesn’t enhance your beauty, it is no big deal in the greater scheme of things.  Shahan wanted to come home and face the music as she knew that Han would be furious, and he was!  However, after a blast from Han, all was calm, and we carried on with the day.

We are so blessed that we live in such safe country, where we take our daily peaceful life for granted.  However, many people are not so lucky. The news from China that baby’s powdered milk had been spiked with melamine to disguise the fact that the milk had been watered down was unbelievably shocking, and I reeled at the fact that men could be so greedy.  It seems that it was the New Zealand dairy company, Fonterra, a 43% part owner of one of the Chinese companies that was spiking its milk, which blew the whistle on the deception, and it seems that there were at least 22 other companies doing the same thing. Four babies have already died, and thousands of babies are seriously ill through having been fed this poisonous formula.  The practice seems to have been going on for some years, and there may be countless babies who have died of kidney failure, killed needlessly through the avarice of dishonest businessmen and farmers.  Now, many innocent as well as guilty farmers are on the brink of bankruptcy as the full extent of the corruption becomes known.  Why are some people so dishonest?  I so believe in just deserts, and it is so important to do the best we can each day to help and support each other, not kill each other and each other’s children!

It is late at night, and after having had very little sleep over the past three days, I think I will hit the hay.  I hope we all have a wonderful week, and I really look forward to talking with you soon, and reading your letters. This Friday, we have a potluck lunch, so bring something you would like to share with others, and invite any friends or family you would like to come with you.

…………….

It is now Monday morning, and we have awoken to another glorious day. I heard that 6,000 babies have fallen ill through the contaminated mild products in China.  We have to count our blessings here, and live each day to the full!

Love

Sharron