Letter writing - Australia Post Delivery

Late yesterday afternoon I sat down and wrote a letter to an elderly couple in the King Country, New Zealand.

When I headed out to post this letter this morning, this is what I thought:

• What a glorious day to be out walking.

•  The main village shopping precinct is 50 meters from our apartment.

• When I turned into Rokeby Road in Subiaco I was greeted with the reminder by the trees lining the main street, it was Autumn. Leaves were everywhere!

• As I walked towards the Post Office I thought how nostalgic is this? I still go to the Post Office, but it was what I had in my hand that generated such a feeling. A typed letter with pictures to an elderly couple who were active in the two communities that we lived during my formative years. In particular, when I was playing Junior tennis, they were playing Seniors with our parents.

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on

3rd April 2018 

In October 2017 I also wrote a letter to this couple as we were planning a get-together when we visited the King Country, NZ in November 2017. The purpose for doing so was two-fold. Firstly, to connect after many decades and share that I was assisting with a memoir for three sisters in New Zealand. When I viewed their family tree I recognized the familiar surname of O’Brien. 

I decided to write to them to see if they were linked to this family tree as some of the earlier generation worked in the milling industry and lived in the area. Secondly, to check if they were available to join us and others for lunch while we were in town.

This provided an opportunity to, speak personally on the telephone, when we arrived as they are in their late 70’s or early 80’s. The joy that was expressed by them in receiving my letter reinforces that we need to continue to take the time to connect with a more personal approach, when relevant. 

Five months later I find myself writing another letter to this couple. Included in this letter were three photos of my father with team members of the Manunui Rugby Club from 1939 – 1945. This same couple came to mind. In later years this same Mr O'Brien was the President of the Manunui Rugby Club and I was missing some of the names in these group photos. 

The letter I posted off this morning was a request to see if he could fill in the names missing so that when I insert these images into the book, I may be able me to acknowledge all the members of each team. 

Fingers crossed.

Trust you enjoyed your Easter Break.

Viti x