OPEN LINE:
your thoughts
I enjoyed your story about Kimberley Crossman. It is so nice to see a young Kiwi woman making it on the global stage. My teenage daughter has always looked up to Kim and has followed her online and on social media. She also battles anxiety and depression and to read about one of her heroes being in the same situation was incredibly powerful for her. She realised that people from all walks of life face the same struggles and that she can find ways to help manage her depression. We are both looking forward to following Kim’s podcast, Pretty Depressed, which I am sure is going to provide hope for my daughter and others. Reading this story together allowed my daughter to open up to me about her struggles. M. McLeod
FIRE TERROR RECALLED
Reading From Heartbreak to Hope (about the Australian bushfires) brought back memories of the terror a huge fire can create. In the summer of 2003-4, I was working alone at an apiary, running the store. It had been an intensely hot day with temperatures reaching in the high 30s or more. As I started to lock up I heard loud bangs, which I thought were doors blowing shut. Then the owner’s wife screamed my name. Racing outside I saw a high wall of flames at the rear of the factory. The heat and ash was horrific. Tyres were burning, honey drums were exploding and the old buildings at the rear of the property were crumbling like paper. My employer tried to fight it and got badly scorched. If there is one thing I would pass on to others it would be to never, ever try to fight a fire of that magnitude and intensity. Just save yourselves and flee as fast as you can. The nightmares and crying/ shaking spells were with me for months. Val Neil
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
We cannot even imagine the heartache of people in Australia who have lost their homes. It’s extra sad to read that some could not afford to insure their houses and will struggle to rebuild. Millions of dollars have been donated to the fires – surely these people can be helped from this fund. I think of all the money donated to the Christchurch earthquake, when years later people are still living in terrible conditions. Where does all this money go? It does not seem to go to the people in need. Linda Baker
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS
I enjoyed Jo Seagar’s February issue column about New Year’s resolutions. I didn’t bother making one this year. In any case my hubby made one for me – he said my resolution should be to refill the jug after use. He doesn’t ask for much, and on our 40th wedding anniversary I promised to have the jug filled in time for his cuppa first thing. Cheers for another great issue which, like Jo, I will read with my feet up, coffee by my side. Karen Harcourt
PEARL of WISDOM “Keep your face always towards the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”
– Walt Whitman