My Favourite Little Person

This little person came to stay with with us for nearly a year, sometime ago now when she was only four years old, but she made such a deep impression on our lives that I felt I had to write about her and how it came about that Ben and I looked after her for that time.

My daughter Janette and her husband Myles had been approached to open a travel agency in Fiji and Ben and I were to take care of their little one for maybe a month or so, or until they were settled and could find suitable accommodation for the family. This seemed the most sensible thing to do as they were leaving in late November and they would have the rainy season upon them within a few weeks and would also be working long hours to get things moving and ready within a few months.

In no time at all they were off, leaving behind their little girl, who was always called by our pet name for her “Muffin” as we thought she was so sweet, warm and delectable.

We laid down a few house rules and routines for her to follow, much the same as she already had in her own home, which surprisingly worked well -–most of the time. Occasionally we had the feeling that new were being manipulated into doing what SHE wanted, but all-in-all it was a happy time. Though determined not to spoil her, we found ourselves falling under her spell. Her personality was such that she endeared herself to all who came in contact with her and we often wondered how we would cope when the time came for her to go off to Fiji.

Meantime things were not running smoothly in Fiji. Myles and Janette were battling daily with heavy rain, which finally turned to flooding, forcing Myles to get up in the early hours one morning to move their car to higher ground. Just as well he did this as when they awoke later they found the lower road was completely under water. As well as the rain to cope with, they were frustrated at every turn while trying to obtain permits for work on the office premises coping with slow Fijian time all the red tape that goes with the many forms that must be filled in and dealt with. Apparently it doesn’t pay to be in a hurry, as my very efficient though impatient daughter found out.

All this time we had been in constant communication with these two and so far there was little hope of Muffin joining them for a while yet, which didn’t surprise us after hearing all their tales of woe. Then word came that they would be coming home for a few days to settle a few matters and to see us all.

We had a great reunion when they arrived and they were so pleased to see how happy we all were and to see the bond that existed between Muffin and us, which made their request to us all the easier –“Please could we keep Muffin with us a little longer , as they were still working long hours and everything was taking so much longer to complete than expected.” Also they were worried about security as burglaries were rife in the area. This was talked about with Muffin and to everyone’s relief she seemed to take it well.

After Myles and Janette returned to Fiji, I took care to be with Muffin constantly, keeping her occupied so she wouldn’t feel lonely. Although she was quieter than usual, she soon rallied and all was back to normal, sooner than expected.

We were often amazed at her intelligence. She learned quickly and knew what was expected from her. She won our hearts with her golden brown hair, lovely eyes, good humour and loving ways. She could be impish, impulsive even a little trying at times, but never sulky and – oh so loveable.

After several months went by, we heard that at last all was in place in Fiji and working smoothly. The opening was a success, so now Janette and Myles could safely leave the business in the capable hands of a newly appointed manager and return to NZ.

At last after almost 12 months away, my daughter and her husband were back home again. After a meal and lots of talking, I gathered up Muffins bits and pieces and was ready to say “Goodbye” when Janette picked up Muffin up saying “ Mum, Myles and I have had a good talk about this. We know how much she means to you and Ben after you have looked after for so long. We can’t take her from you’’ and she thrust Muffin Their Beautiful Burmese cat into my waiting arms, saying “she is yours now – to keep.

Footnote- That was 12 years ago Muffin, now called Muffy is 16 years. old, much slower in her movements and content with the knowledge that she is still our loveable little person, as we grow old together.

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