Mereoni Tuimaba believes the key to living a long life is to live happily and be satisfied with what you have.
If you ever get a chance to visit Lautoka Fisheries Wharf, Mereoni is one of those smiling faces that greet you as she waits for the boat to take her across to her home on Vio Island off Lautoka City.
There was more to life than what the 70-year-old expected when she first settled on Vio more than five decades ago to marry her sweetheart, the late Aminiasi Tuimaba senior. They met while plying their trade in the tourism industry on Malolo many moons ago.
“I left my job at Plantation Island Resort when I got married and I had to look after my four children,” Mereoni says.
“It was a struggle living on the island but we pulled through because of our reliance on God every single day of our married life. It did take a lot of courage but I am always thankful for having a supportive husband and a strong family unit.”
Mereoni is the maternal grandmother of former national 7s speedster Aminiasi Tuimaba and played a vital role in his upbringing. She was also more than willing to share her grandson’s rugby journey when this newspaper caught up with her recently.
“Tuimaba is known to his family as Naba Va (Number Four) because he is the fourth in the family to be given the name,” Mereoni says, adding he was left in their care at a young age.
“It was where he mastered the art of hard work and perseverance. He grew up in a home dedicated to loving and fearing God.
“He was committed to his rugby dreams at a very young age and when we realised he had a passion for the game, we rallied our support for him.
“His life is all about rugby and when he was named in the Fiji 7s team for the first time, we were a bit emotional because we felt his selection was in part a result of our raising him.”
Mereoni is originally from Yanuya in Malolo but has called Vio Island home for many years.
She says her nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren always give her hope to continue to love life even though age is slowly catching up with her.
While her grandson supports her financially, she believes living a simple life and learning to appreciate small things is what keeps her going daily.
“I never go without a day of worshipping God and I always make sure to remain happy always and consume healthy food daily.”
