I can’t quite describe the joy and suspense as I stepped into my car on a cold drizzly Friday, and I wondered what would be waiting for me at my destination. I had just heard word from the printers that our first print run of 250 copies of the guidebook were ready. THEY WERE FINALLY READY!
There’s a thing about firsts, they are so special, they can never be repeated and yet… emotions are a funny thing. As I collected what were three, very heavy but surprisingly small boxes, the suspense lifted and I just felt numb as I had become nothing more than my own courier: receiving, lifting, driving and delivering. But then as I placed the boxes on the dining room table, the terror arrived. What if the colours were wrong? What if the bleed cuts didn’t work correctly? What if there was another missed spelling mistake? I spent a time just looking at the boxes, not daring to open them until I couldn’t bear the anticipation any longer.
And there they were, small and perfect little printed guidebook creations, and they were fine. I smiled as I checked every page (for the thousandth time). Here it is, ready for our community to share in this wonderful martial art. I see it as a catalyst for something great, the careful sharing of this special taonga (treasure) of knowledge to the community of Aotearoa, New Zealand so that our people can all flourish.
In a month’s time we will have a launch and blessing for the book. After that… the real work begins reaching out, and bringing the goals of TUMA to life.