Ruth Ellen Ropiha

Known to myself and most of the mokopuna of my era "Mum and Pup" our grandparents. We were never taught to call our elders as Aunty or Uncle they were simply, Len, Polly, Rau, Alec etc. Our grand Aunties and grand uncles were known to us as Uncle Jack,Aunty Maggie, Aunty Lucy Aunty Emma, etc. Other whanaunga often tell a different story but i loved MUM, I can still see her in the backyard peeling a large sack of potatoes, or shelling a large sack of toheroa. Sure there were times she was grumpy but after raising 15 children and the most of their children yeh you are allowed to be grumpy.. a ake tonu