With my Dads passing, my visits to Queenstown became more infrequent, yet my heart remained there. It always has. Part of the reason for this trip this year, was to bring my boys here, to meet their Uncle and Aunts and many cousins, who still live in Queenstown and have built beautiful lives there. These are my Dads kids, myself included – we are all connected by this one man. My boys have heard me talk of my Dad over the years and I have shown them the few fading photos I have left of him. But there is still so much about him, about his life that alludes me. This visit allowed me to bring him to life for them ... and me, and to try know more about him. To understand what he had built and where on our family tree they belonged. It was an emotional ride for me, and for them. It was full of sentiment and I often shed tears, remembering him, missing him, yet also feeling his guiding light and happy spirit shine over us. We had an incredible visit and the kids were embraced so warmly by him ... and their new family.
We spent a wonderful time staying with my beautiful sister and her family. Andi and Beau live in an amazing house at the base of the Remarkables – a mountain range that reaches 6373 feet into the sky and named allegedly because they are one of only two mountain ranges in the world which run directly north to south. An alternate explanation for the name given by locals is that early Queenstown settlers, upon seeing the mountain range during sunset one evening, named them the Remarkables to describe the sight. These are mountain ranges that the Dalai Lama visited recently and “remarked” on how much spirit they held. I certainly felt that. We slept under her watch.
I met nieces and nephews for the first time and the boys suddenly had whole new family of cousins, from a gorgeous toddler to grown adults. Although our time with them was brief, the boy’s family tree just grew whole new, vibrant branches. I loved having and being a sister. Often times, even when years separate, some things never change in families. The bond of blood remains strong and I was able to see so much of me in all of them. The boys new aunts and their one uncle opened their hearts to them and they immediately became family. This meant alot to Ben especially, who is quite sentimental and mature about such things and regards “family time” as so very important. We cherished time with all of them.
My sister Andi brought fireworks for the kids to light themselves on Guy Fawkes night (an old English event celebrated each year on the evening of November 5th with bonfires, fireworks and family gatherings). Great fun – eagerly lead by an overly excited “Pyro” Ben!
And we spent time catching up over the best Pinot Noir on the planet...
Another goodbye, more tears - not nearly long enough, but we take a heart full of wonderful memories to add to our collection. It was an emotional journey for me and I can't explain my joy at seeing my boys connect with more of their family... and with my Dad. Thank you - all of you for opening your hearts and homes. We love you all. The boys will return when they are grown, I know it They loved it here.
For me - it will definitely not be another 13 years until my feet touch NZ soil again. That I know. xxx
Next Post: From mountains to beaches ... the sun and surf of Australia!