Pat | Manurewa

“I grew up in Ōpōtiki or in the Bay of Plenty, and with strong family values I guess; small country town, everyone knew everyone. Then I came to Auckland and I’ve lived here 47 years now, and I guess it’s important here, it’s a great place to live. I don’t mind Auckland at all, because I don’t drive much so I don’t have to worry about the traffic.

I visited the rest home this morning, so I probably felt grateful that it wasn’t me that needed to be there, and there’s my friend. I take Communion to the Catholics living in the local rest home, but I visit other people as well. You kind of get caught up with them; their stories, their lives, and I enjoy doing that. I feel it’s what I’m meant to do.

I think it takes you out of yourself, volunteering; makes you think about other people, and that’s what it’s about, isn’t it? The people you live with, the community you live in. Yeah, it’s important to me, anyway.

I guess you have to have some sort of strong base, don’t you? Well, I’ve got my religion, my faith, and family’s important, too. That’s why I’ve stayed in Auckland probably, because all the family all live here, yeah.

You’ve got to have hope, don’t you? Yes. I suppose you have to think about it, don’t you? Don’t just take it for granted. Take each day as it comes, I suppose.

Well, I said it was today, every day, just recently; today because I’ve been to the rest home and talked to people there, and tried to help them, tried to cheer them up, and I feel grateful that I hope someone would do that for me when my turn comes, really.”

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