We are learning about, and celebrating, Matariki at Play to Learn and one of the ways in which we illustrate Matariki is through the sharing of kai. Every year each kaiako, with the help of ngaa tamariki, prepares and cooks a special family dish. Yesterday we cooked a meal that is special to me and my whaanau.
Many years ago my Nana owned a ‘greasy spoon’ cafe in London, my Mum would work there after school and in the holidays. My Dad would often pop in there. He would call out to my Nana “Mum, eggs, sausages, chips and beans, two slices and a cuppa tea please love”, and give my Mum a wink and a smile. He would then go to the jukebox in the corner and play her favourite song, (although he would often joke it was his favourite song and Mum would play it for him). Regardless, the romance blossomed, fast forward several years and they married and had my brother and me and we would often have this ‘Callow traditional meal’. They have both since passed and on the first anniversary of Dad’s passing we had…, eggs, chips and beans, two slices and a cuppa tea. (Please note, the sausages were cut into safe small sizes for ngaa tamariki).
Arohanui Donna
