Elderly grandfather leads by example

By Ilia L Likou 25 January 2017, 12:00AM

Seventy-three year old father and grandfather; Tia Patu of Vaiala is no stranger to leading the way for his children and grandchildren. 

This is why he continues to carry out his daily chores to ensure that he stays healthy. 

When the Village Voice caught up with him he was working on his garden.

 “There’s a saying that old people are never too old to exercise and that’s true,” he said.

 “This is my life every day, and leading by example is very important to everyone not only for my family but for my children.”

“As a youth this is what I did everyday, everywhere and help my parents with lots of chores.

“You know back in those days we didn’t have the different tools we have today to weed the garden and cut the grass so we mainly used our old tools – our hands.”

“That’s the life we were bought up in and while doing those chores at the same time we were staying fit and healthy.” 

He said that although odd to see someone his age doing this type of work he long ago realised this is the only way his children will be able to learn. 

“If they see me continuing with these chores they too will apply this to their everyday schedules.” 

“If  a mother and a father are healthy, they will live in harmony as well.” 

“I strongly believes that this is what real love is of parents to his children.”

“To guide them and direct them.” 

“If picking up the rubbish will teach then they will learn to value the importance or spiritual growth that will come with this simple task.” 

Although he agrees it is simple but believes that there are many different important positive aspects that come with it.

 “That’s  the truth and we need to work on it, some old people think that it’s time to rest at home all day but we need to get out of the house and do a little exercise like picking up rubbish, weeding the garden, it doesn’t have to be hard work.”

 “We need to work on it every day, not just one day and then it ends there.”

He thanks his daily routine for his long life. 

By Ilia L Likou 25 January 2017, 12:00AM

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