I’m taking this opportunity to sit down and say thank you to a large group of quite extraordinary people. Some of you are dear and much loved friends, some are people who have adopted me on Twitter, some of you found my Refuge posts via Facebook. However you found me, however our paths have collided, I owe you a huge debt of gratitude. This blog post, which I shall share far and wide, and in doing so, shout your names from the metaphorical rooftops, is my very small way of saying thank you. There are a number of people who wish to remain anonymous. I understand that desire, and respect your wishes. There are also a number of people who have chosen, as a result of their involvement with this, to help the Refuges in their local area. This pleases me greatly. Whatever way you have chosen to help, know that it has been your kindnesses that are healing hearts, and giving hope. That sounds cheesy but is entirely, I can assure you, true.
Our support of Te Whare Marama, and other Refuges like it, in the future has been given a huge shot in the arm with the raised awareness this has all brought. All of this begs the question as to why Refuges aren’t given more funding – as a lovely man said to me yesterday, it just seems so obvious – and our actions could be seen as condoning a Government which chooses to stand by and let this happen. But this Refuge has been open for 21 years, and has been struggling for the last ten, that I know of. Successive governments have failed to do the right thing.
There is also the argument that by propping up this Refuge, we are allowing the Government to continue not to do it’s job. Well, you can think like that, and also believe that someone has to do something, and the longer you sit around and wait for someone else to do it, the more that people suffer. So I’m happy for the community to rally to Te Whare Marama’s aid. It takes a lot more energy to change the Government’s funding policies than it does to just do it yourself (and yes, I know that is possibly the point of all that faffing around on the behalf of Government Departments).
This started because I rang Christina, and the minute she laid eyes on me, she understood what a resource I was. She jumped in with both feet because she had nothing to lose by asking. I responded, and in my turn have jumped in with both feet, because that is what is required to get people back on their feet. It started with a phonecall. Simple as that. And the recognition of opportunities for bigger things. Anyone can do it, and everyone should.
That having been said, thanks to everyone for jumping onboard with such gusto. I can never have hoped to do any of this by myself. Your support is invaluable.
These names are in no particular order of importance. You are all important, and there’s rather a lot of you.
Firstly to @jofromgreylynn, who has been in on this with me from almost the very beginning, those six months or so ago. Who bought clothes for the kids. Who gave me bits and pieces to give to Refuge (and yes, Jo, the painting is still in my spare room, waiting for it’s day in the sun). Thank you. For believing in me, for believing in this. I still remember how I felt when I saw those hot water bottles.
To @ericalloyd who gets it. Who knows what this is, and what it means. For being part of the Aunty Mafia, and cheering me on in your own inimitable and quietly staunch way. Thank you.
To @caniwiwillliams, who has jumped onboard wholeheartedly, and offered quiet words of encouragement along the way. Thank you.
To @smaloneytweet, thank you. In for a pound, indeed!
To @DawgBelly, I thank you Madam from the bottom of my heart for many things, including marching into battle with me.
To Lisa, thank you. So much.
To @lizzyolo, thanks. Thank you. Thanking you.
To @sarabeee – darling. Always. Thank you for everything. J is so enthusiastic he’s about to go stratospheric.
To @wellychelle – for jumping into the madness so willingly with me.
To @GrowFromHereNZ – always with the babies eh? And thank the Goddess for you.
To Jenelle, who found me via Facebook, you have a wonderful group of friends, and I thank you for your kindnesses.
To Linda, thank you so much. L will be over the moon.
To @powderkeig – thank you darling.
To Jo Luping – thank you so much for the sling and the baby products which I gave to H yesterday. She was thrilled, particularly that the sling was “army”!
To @eloisegibson- thank you for the baby clothes your friend dropped off, and many many nappies. H will get those today.
To @azlemed – darling Demelza – who rings me to make sure I’m okay even when I’ve run out of words. Thank you. For everything.
To @discorobot, thankyou. Thank you so much.
To @GrumpyYetAmusin – darling, thank you.
To @sneakybaker, thank you. And thanks for the offer of services you know I’ll be taking you up on.
To Trina McClune, who emailed and offered me something I couldn’t turn down. Who helps other charities, including one I need to get to know more about. Who is inspirational. Thank you.
To @annettle – who at very short notice provided baby things, and some beautiful clothes (which J is very much enjoying wearing.)
To @implementnz, thank you. Thanks for your work.
To @larahrn, thank you so much.
To @scubanurse who is indefatigable. Thank you. For being #auntymafia, for doing this as you everything – with the hugest of hearts, and most passion I have ever seen. Thank you for collecting stuff, and delivering it to Refuge. Thank you for making up food baskets, and making sure the women have food over Christmas. Thank you.
To Jeanette Marsh – thank you for providing the baskets for the food hampers.
To @ZeldaWynn – thank you for driving all the way out to where I was, in your very cool car, to give me such precious things, and for staying to keep the kids and I company. Come back soon.
To @WhaeaJo thank you. Thank you for finding me, and thank you for making such a difference in your local community but finding it in your heart to help us out as well. Nga mihinui me arohanui.
To @JessforBrains, thank you. You’re in the middle of exams and look what you’re doing! Thanks. I appreciate it in the midst of such anxiety making stuff.
To @porridgefish who demonstrates how very kind young people can be.
To @Jacs76 – wow. Thank you. Christina is very excited by your offer, and I am so glad I’ve hooked you up. Thank you so much.
To @rmccarten there are many things I have to thank you for, it transpires. But for our purposes in this post, I’ll keep it simple. Thank you so much for getting involved. Thank you.
To @whiasco – thank you. Thank you, thankyou, thankyou. You can provide something no-one else can. Thank you.
To @pimmslabyrinth – thank you. Thank you so much.
To @StefanieLash – we’re helping each other, and thank you for everything you have done. You are an angel.
To Marianne – I hope this is a suitable compromise. Thank you so very much.
To Penny D, thank you. You brave Ruby every time you come around, and one of these days, we’ll go through the greeting ritual. Thank you.
To @superleeni – you are very super indeed. Thank you.
To @traceyhampstead – thank you for your enthusiasm in this. Thank you for your thoughtful words to me.
To @gurrlwithacurl – thank you. Thanks for many things. I didn’t even need to ask, you just knew.
To @caitypai – I adore you for so many reasons, not the least of which is your passion for advocating for the vulnerable, and those whose voices are not often heard. Thank you.
To @dyslexialady – thank you. Thank you for adopting J, and being willing to figure out the rest later. Thank you.
To Katie Haworth – thank you for the vacuum cleaner (O loved it) and thank you for making me aware of you. I suspect this relationship has only just begun. Thank you.
To @NZMcKenzie – thankyou. Thank you for jumping in there because you believe in me.
To @Meri_aah_NAH – thank you. Your passion and enthusiasm is heartening.
To @fuck_lupus – thank you for believing in me for a very long time. Thank you for being you.
To Kate – thank you for your enthusiasm for this.
To @wendypooh – thank you. Thank you for your love and enthusiasm.
To @ghetsuhm – thank you for lending me your lenses through which to see the world. It’s made me a kinder person. I believe if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have got so far with this.
To Sarah Jane – thank you. Your ideas have inspired me, and I look forward to doing more work with you.
To Leena – thank you. Thank you for loving me and taking a punt of all of this.
To @paulaflea – thank you darling. Thank you.
To @AnnaliesVK – thank you for getting behind me.
To @Becs – thankyou for being my friend, and working on it.
To @di_naturo – thank you for jumping in there, and taking the time to come and meet my kids. Next time the lights will be on.
To @eviekemp – thank you!
To @NatDudley – thank you for getting on board so quickly, and so wholeheartedly. For providing the necessaries that makes Xmas such a special place for children.
To @paulbrislen -thank you for having a quiet word.
To @HamishMack and your lovely partner – thank you so very much.
To Jacqui – thank you for jumping onboard, even though we had lost contact somewhat. Your efforts are not unseen.
To @JohnnyRedLives – thank you for making it possible to make Christina’s life easier, and enabling her to throw a whacking great Christmas lunch at her own house!
To @kiwitally – thank you. For everything.
To @Knhannah – thank you for being #auntymafia, and thank you from L. You are making an enormous difference in her life.
To @blondinigang – thank you. For all you do.
To @lin_nah – thank you for all your ideas and kindness
To @radiomum – thank you.
To @Margie186 – thank you. Thank you for loving the kids, and thank you for jumping onboard.
To Megan – thank you for your support, in many ways.
To @kaiako_nz – thank you for jumping right in there from the very beginning, and for your support.
To @tavvi2toes – thank you for your kindness and support.
To @auratti – thank you. Thank you.
To Rob – it’s on the DL, but thank you. Thank you so very much for your organisational skills, and kind heart. For adopting us and for taking this into places I had no idea it was going to go, and recognising a need I hadn’t even thought about.
To @littlelilybits – what a star. Thank you.
To @thisfog – thank you. Thank you for always looking out for me. And those who have no voice.
To @SalSallySarah – thank you for being there at the right time.
To @manikpixi – what would I do without you? Thank you for being there, always.
To my Vicky – I love you and all that you do for me, and for others. We’re going to do big things.
To V’s T – thank you and you know for why.
To @puriripark – thank you for going above and beyond in so very many ways, for opening your heart to me and to this crusade I’m on. Thank you.
To Sonja with a J – thankyou. In the midst of craziness, there is a small place of stillness. Thank you for finding it with me.
To @eloquentsonia – thank you for getting in there, as I knew you would, boots and all.
To @ksuyin – your generosity has been unbelievable and so very welcome at a very crucial time for one woman. Thank you.
To @catatonichic – thank you. Big things are ahead for you, and so I appreciate you taking the time to make sure that other people feel the love.
To Jocelyn – thank you for your gifting. Your stuff is finding the right home.
To Anthea – thank you.
To Carol – thank you.
To Jenna – thank you.
To @publicaddress – thank you for giving me a platform, and boosting my efforts.
To @HatePash1 – thank you.
To Jarna – thank you so very much.
To @_steveadams – Thank you. Thank you to you and R for your astoundingly original gift, and for giving me some more ideas.
Thank you to @TelecomNZ for the phones and SIM cards
Thank you to @2degreesmobile for the phones and SIM cards
Thank you to Vicky at @vodafonenz for rallying the troops.
Thank you to @UrgentCouriers and Catherine in particular who, on a very busy day, heard my call and to @wanderlustrehab for getting me onto them.
Thank you to Christina for coming into my life those months ago. For spotting what a resource I could be, when I didn’t even know it myself. Thank you to Karen, and Trish, and Debbie, and all the women who work at Te Whare Marama for taking in the women and giving them love. So much love. For fighting on every day in the face of a world that seems not to care. For investing your lives in this glorious place that is filled with love, and noise, and is a whirl of activity. A place of hope, and learning. A place quite unlike any I’ve ever been to before. Thank you for letting us help you, and for being so graceful about it. Thank you for being Wahine Toa, on the frontline, every day, and getting very little recognition for it because your job is too important to worry about stuff like that. Thank you. I can’t imagine my life without you guys in it. You know now – look at this army of people! – that all you have to do is ask, and we’ll be there. (And sometimes I’ll be there even when you didn’t ask). And we thank you for the opportunity.
Thank you to you all – whether I have named you or not (some of your own volition). This is a really big thing we’re doing. A huge, ginormous thing that’s making a huge, ginormous difference in the lives of a great number of people. I know some of those people, and there are more to come. 36 families a year in this tiny, independent Refuge. This Refuge that’s been running on the smell of an oily rag for a very long time, and giving love to people who may have forgotten what that looks like. Together, we’re going to allow the staff of the Refuge to do their job. We’re going to make it so that they never need go without again. We’re going to boost these women and children in small, and big, ways. We’re doing that. You’re doing that. We are a resource, a valuable resource. And we’re simply there to make sure that the people who run this lovely place are able to keep doing that, and to fulfill their vision. Thank you. Thank you all so much.
