Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou - Seasons greetings for Christmas and the New Year.
Only four more sleeps until we fly back to Tauranga for a Mankelow family Christmas. It’s a bitter-sweet thought as this year we are celebrating with one less amongst our midst. Granddad Bert won’t be there to munch through Robyn’s homemade shortbread, to share a beer with dad over Christmas lunch, or to watch the children excitedly open their presents.
We will be remembering him with love this Christmas. Thanks to all those who attended his funeral in October, and to those that sent through a personal memory of Bert for this newsletter.
I hope Tim doesn’t mind, but I have also written down his very moving tribute to his father as it has such a strong message for us all.
Memories of Bert Mankelow….
“For those that don’t know me I’m Tim, the youngest of the four brothers.
As I sit in the sun out in the back yard at home, thinking of you and what has been; fond memories abound. I look though old photos of you and me, sitting, eating and sharing ice-creams, playing with the hose. Zoom slides and more. The stories of my older brothers being put in their place for picking on me. The many times I’ve been disciplined that put me in good stead in my adult years. The respect that you taught me for my elders and my family. Many fun times at the top ford trying to keep up with you. The way you taught me to use koura to catch trout. Staying at the campsite having a wash in the freezing cold water. The great times we had out fishing at Pahoia, slaying the snapper, only ever taking enough for a feed. Respect the resource for others you told me. The way we talked about current events, rugby and the issues of my life.
Now I must do these things on my own. I hope you will watch over me and help me out. I will miss you. The family is blessed and strong. I love you dad.”
Timothy Mankelow 9 October 2010.
From Joy and Bob Miller: We had a surprise visit from Uncle Bert, Robert and Jos. They called in on their way home from their trip of a life time by helicopter to White Island. Uncle Bert said it was something he wanted to do while he was still fit enough. He had really enjoyed it and was so glad he went. Sadly this was the last time Bert set foot into our home.
From Anne Mankelow: My memories of Bert are crackers & cheese for morning tea then him saying "there is fruit cake in the tin you could have had a piece of that."
Lovely fresh produce from his garden. New potatoes, carrots or beans & delicious tree ripened apples (YUM)
From Sherryll Andrews (Mankelow): Tuesday mornings - housework day. As i arrive he is usually sitting on his chair outside the shed. There's no hurry is there he says sit for a while with me in the sun. The stories flow so easily some from many years ago but never forgotten - what a memory he has. Many fond memories of THE TOP FORD & THE WAIPAPA RIVER. I could sit for hours and listen to all the adventures.
From Cody, Kathy, Samara and Amber Mankelow: On our last visit to Aunty Doreen before her passing, my daughters Samara and Amber took a shine to a very scruffy old garden gnome perched in Uncle Bert's garden. Much to the girls delight, Uncle Bert with his mischievous smile promptly loads the old garden gnome into the back of the car. Back home in Puhoi two young girls had a wonderful time scrubbing and painting a new shiny suit on the gnome. Today, he still sits here in our Puhoi Garden watching over all the fairies and elves just as Uncle Bert said he would :)
It was always a pleasure catching up with Uncle Bert. Even the last time we visited him at the hospital, he had clearly had enough but he still had a big smile and warm friendly hug for us. We will miss him.
New members of the Mankelow family:
Patience Serenity-Rose Ford-Bennett
Born 28 May 2010 - to proud parents Rebecca Trubshoe and Damian Bennett
Lily-Rose Georgina Oates
Born 8 June 2010 - to proud parents Natasha Connolly and Allan Rose.
Bailey Ngaroimata Onemaru Kaaka
Born 9 June 2010 - to proud parents Lindberg Kaaka and Tuaine Taru
Nathan George Wahanui Reid
27 August 2010 - to proud parents Marama Kaaka and Chris Reid
Anniversary Weekend 2011: Our next Family Get together will be held on Sunday 30 January with a shared lunch followed by an Auction. There will also be the lucky dip for the children.
