Our writing class went on a trip to Matiu/Somes, the Island in the middle of Wellington Harbour. It’s an amazing place – it’s so small, but packed with so much history. Originally Matiu was covered in thick coastal forest, and provided a home for many species of birds, reptiles and insects. When Maaori people lived on the island, most of the big trees were cut down to clear the view for defence and to make room for crops. Then European settlers arrived, and used the island to quarantine animals… and people suspected of carrying infectious diseases. More than fifty people never left the island. During the Wars, the island was used as an internment camp, and hundreds of people were kept there. Now the forest is creeping back over the island, thanks to the work of dozens of volunteers. Kakariki and tuatara have been released onto the island, and many other creatures are returning there.
We had crap weather for the trip, it was cold, wet and windy and we had to go out in it to do our writing exercises. But I snuck back early from our tour of the island, put on the heaters, and brewed up some spiced hot chocolate. It was worth it to hear everyone exclaiming as they came through the door and sniffed the warm spicy air. After it got dark we all went for a walk, and saw some little blue penguins – oh so cute! And then we heard them all night, braying like donkeys right under the house. We played the National Geographic board game, because it was the only one in the Forest and Bird house, and made mulled wine before the generator switched off for the night.
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Took the Rainbow Room kids on a visit to a funeral home today. Lots of them have been asking questions about death, from the littlest, who’s cat died, to the older ones, who worry about people coming back from the dead. They wanted to know what colour coffins can be (pretty much any colour in the Resene catalogue). Apparently sometimes they choose a pale colour and the children in a family write and draw pictures on the coffin. The kids all got to have a look at a (empty) coffin, and have a go at being pallbearers. The parents asked more questions than any of the kids. On the way back the funeral director told me about one family who had a funeral for a 12-week-old foetus. “The coffin was so tiny,” she said, gesturing with her hands only a few centimetres apart. Then my eyes went all blurry.
Did you know you *have* to have a coffin. Apparently it’s the law. Well, I’m going out in an Ecopod. Just so you know.
Posted by Fionnaigh at August 24, 2003 11:31 PMMy buddy Jasmine had a plain chipboard casket and we (actually, mostly Dom)painted it. All her brothers and sisters helped too and it was an amazingly positive process. Gave everyone something to do, and a way to send her off right. The end result was covered with butterflies we all made.
I would thoroughly recommend having a clause in your will or something to avoid a boring coffin.
Damn stylish way to go out!
A coffin is legally required?
Dang! I was figuring that maybe I could just fit into a Council rubbish bag (I won't mind a little folding, spindling, and wrinkling at the point...)
I also wouldn't mind just going into a compost bin...
-V.
Posted by: V. In Welly at August 29, 2003 06:01 PM