Let us live in real “Pacific Time.”

Could a clock lie? My eldest son thought just that when we arrived in Australia many Many moons ago.   In our zest to be on time to meet the demands of life in our new world after relocating from our former world of “Fiji Time” , the “Boss” my darling wife  decided  to set the clock ten minutes ahead of the true time.

Dragging my eldest son out of bed each morning of our first winter in Aussie land was a mammoth ritual like trying to flog a stubborn village horse to plow. Amid his groaning and complaining he’d bargain to “borrow” the treasured ten minutes and even have the audacity to say that the house clock was lying.

True on that count he was, but after a sprinkle of cold water on his black face sends him to the shower as if a 40 horse power outboard engine strapped to his behind. He is now a loving father of 3 lovely children   we’re best of mates and…uh.. am told he’s going through the same time bargaining ritual with his own children.

Drumming punctuality into my children and grandson bring memories of my own Dad’s,  very regimental demands for punctuality. Tata and our   Nana of all my 14 siblings amazingly synchronise with precision household chores, schoolwork, 3 church services a Sunday plus Sunday school attendance and meals, balancing on a $16.00 a week salary as school carpenter and humble lay preacher.

None of us children dare even the thought of  “borrowing” 5 seconds, let alone the luxury to curse a lying house clock. For you see, one of my Tata’s favourite verse is Proverbs 23:13.

As the 13th born, having biding farewell to my late dear twin sister last month, I experienced most Tata’s commitment to that verse of the Good Book. Seriously, I’m glad he did for my benefit. Always he says, tis better to be early by an hour than late by a minute. Talk about whole family being at the church door at 5.30am for the 6.00am Sunday  first morning service. All dressed in Sunday white, coconut oiled from hair to bare feet wet with morning dew.

Most of us Pasifika would relate to this, well, not only the privilege to enjoy big families but more so the integrity of our village elders and parents to be well on time for occasions that really matters. They may stall to attend a casual “kava” party, but well ahead of time for church, village meetings or visit by Rural Medical teams.

Why then are we globally demeaned, ridiculed and sneered as always on “Pacific Time”? As if we are people of no integrity to value the purpose of the occasion and those attending.

Definitely, Pasifika people have been  time conscious and people of uttermost integrity like most communities of planet earth.

Before the advent of the clock our ancestors knew the times and signs of the times. They knew the season to plant, to harvest, to fallow. Times for certain fish species are plenty, even signs of hurricane, heavy storm and tidal waves. They value and appreciate the importance of time.

Clocks are good, but clocks alone should not dictate punctuality and reasons to observe time. Shouldn’t we live again on the real “Pacific Time” of our forefathers? Dictated, not by the clock, but by their respect and honour for each other, and commitment to occasions they attend, coupled by integrity and grace to be stern and forgive those who may not make it on clock time.

Let us live again  in real “Pacific Time.”!!