Deep seated, affectionate memories sustain us and are often critical in the progression of our lives. Much more so when we have experienced the struggles of migration and resettlement.

Maria is a 75 year old living in Auckland for the last 50 years. She was born in a little countryside village outside Omsk, Russia. As a child she used to collect sticks from the nearby forest so they would have enough wood for their mud-baked oven formed around a large cut-up tin-can. This was where they did their cooking and kept themselves warm especially when the snow was inches deep outside. They were a very poor family but a happy one.

After Maria got married and had 3 children, they faced different kinds of struggles. Again, they were not very well-off but enjoyed the love of music together and used to play the old violin, passed down from their grandparents, every night. It was fun, bringing a lot of cheer to their growing family and all their struggles of the day would be forgotten in those happy, musical moments.

When the opportunity to migrate to New Zealand came their way, they took it with open arms and adjusted happily to their new environment. Happily, but not without its struggles. The children grew up to thrive in their chosen professions and also became accomplished musicians, thanks to the ingrained love of music and musical skills.

Eventually, Maria’s husband passed away. Yes, A lot changes in 50 years – but some things remain the same.

Maria, now an elderly woman, can often be seen bent over a walking frame collecting sticks from fallen tree branches along the path, in a beautiful park of Auckland. She stacks these neatly in her walking frame and you would wonder if she was collecting them for her fireplace.

Not so. Maria collects these fallen sticks from around the paths, stacks them neatly near the trees and away from the paths ‘so nobody trips and falls over them’. Not for firewood for cooking or warmth, but because this brings the ‘warmth’ of fond memories from her childhood.

Fond, precious memories of the time she lived with her parents and siblings, and later in her own family, through many struggles. Yet struggles that were made happy, loving and cheerful with the gift of music.

Precious memories – the sustenance of our lives, especially through the struggles of migration and resettlement.