2. A Girl Of Palm Leaves And Salt Seas

This is a story of my grandma. An Island woman of sacrifice, strength, and poise. One who ran a good race, and who I called one of my best friends and favourite people in the world. She is now at peace with her Father in heaven.

This is my tribute and eulogy to my grandma...

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl named Margaret Liuchan. She was born from the palm leaves and the salt seas of Samoa. Her long, straight hair flowed plentifully over her supple and soft skin. All her life she was busied serving, sacrificing her own schooling to help her parents in any way she could. Margaret looked after her younger siblings, did the feaus (chores) around the house, and she also ran her parents’ shop. In doing so, her parents, Apoa and Uila, realised that no longer was she a little girl, but Margaret had blossomed into a young and beautiful woman. One so fair and au lelei (beautiful), she caught the eye of the one and only, Fa’anunu Pona.

The year was 1970. Fa’anunu had walked into her parents’ shop and he saw her. Time stopped for a moment. His first attraction was completely one sided. For Fa’anunu was head over heels and it was love at first sight. For Margaret, I suspect he was just another one of her admirers. But eventually, his love was reciprocated. They had dated for a year, and finally he had asked her to fly to New Zealand together, where they could start their new life and live their happily ever after. She was 19 when she left the palm leaves and salt seas she had once called home. And on April 16, 1971, they were happily married in the country of the long white cloud.  

She was only 19, I am only 19. All of this to say that this woman right here had the audacity to make me promise not to date till I was 21. She was funny like that. But I am so incredibly grateful for that promise. A promise that bloomed into many lessons seen only through the love she gave to all she knew. Her love was an ocean, reminiscent of the ones of her home. Vast and great, enveloping you within its wake. Her love was warm, her love was bright. Her love was like seeds that grew, and grew, and grew. She raised her children, and her children’s children and then helped raise their children’s, children’s children.

I stand here today, a living and breathing result of the love she gave, and of the seeds she planted. And I would not be the person I am today without her. So, on behalf of all the grandchildren here in Brisbane, Sydney and in Wellington, I want to honour and celebrate the beautiful life of Margaret Pona. Grandma, Mum we cannot wait to see you again. We want to hear your voice again and see your smile. We want to hold your hand and never let go. We miss your hugs. We miss our talks. We miss you. We want to tell you how much we love you because we love you so greatly.

There are not enough words to express our gratitude for all you have done and all that you are. We are so grateful for all the time we have had with you. Thank you for all the times you prayed, and prayed, and prayed for us. To succeed in life and enjoy a happy life, and to praise and thank the One who gives life. And so, we thank God for many things, but you are one of the greatest things He has ever given to us. A strong woman. A caring woman. A woman who had the loudest laugh of them all.

Grandma, you are always on our minds and forever in our hearts. Thank you, my grandma, thank you our mum. We miss you. We love you. Manuia Lou Malaga.