This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea.
The start of our life together in Papua New Guinea brought many adventures and experiences, and challenges.
Mitupela: At our reception as we start our new life wantaim.
Tripela Time with the family. Above left: Great-grandmother Cass, Great aunt Olive Cass, maternal Grandma and spoiled baby. Lower left: Happy to be with dad and Aunty Lee. Right: Sending Uncle Philip home for Christmas.
Tripela: My dad with the grandchildren. Tupela: I always loved this photo.
Fopela: Cass grandparents and the grandchildren. The dog was a visitor.
Fopela: In Brisbane with their maternal grandparents at a cousin’s christening.
This photo was taken not long before we left Papua New Guinea permanently. Before the year was out we would be faipela.
Tok Pisin:
Yumi bung wantaim – we come together
mitupela – the two of us
wantaim – together
tupela – two people
tripela – three people
fopela – four people
faipela – five people
Family history across the seas 
It’s sad looking back at weddings and family photos to think of those who have gone forever. Still the happy memories are there for as long as we are here. Maybe even longer if we leave a written or photographic record.
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Yes Linda, it brings mixed feelings but those who have left us are in those memories. I guess it’s also why we write our blogs, in part at least.
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I like the phrase and it is funny how making the effort of taking a photo recording that we came together becomes the reminder of happy memories later. Sometimes it seems an effort to pause meeting and photograph the moment but great to have those moments captured 30 to 40 years later to help our memories.
Regards
Anne
Fellow A to Zedder
https://ayfamilyhistory.com/2019/04/29/y-is-for-yorks-and-lancs/
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Very true Anne…I’m so grateful that I was/am such a shutter bug once we had a camera in the household.
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