Porita McPhail

Paul's Speech:
Portia was born at our home  - in Beachland's at that time. The Doctor didn't turn up - but Uncle Mike was there... actually he went for a walk - but the midwife did make it on time.

She didn't breathe for a while and actually had to be revived by the midwife. She was so skinny we nicknamed her Minnie on the spot. That has
been my name for her for 16 years.

As a little kid - we used to lie in bed at night and play games.. Observance tests and telling stories. Once when she was about 7 I explained that
sometimes when girls become teenagers, they don't always think their Dad is so great - and that I thought we should make a promise to be nice to each other always - and make it with a pinky shake. We were to be best friends -even through teenage years. Occasionally I would remind per with the lift of my finger and she would smile.

The year before last, Portia was lucky enough to go to Spain with her dad. She patiently waited around the hotel swimming pool while I did my Taekwon-Do seminars and tournament - and then she became our navigator as Mark and I drove across Spain. She was truly remarkable - keeping calm and level headed as we nearly killed 2 people on two separate occasions. She read the maps and called out where to turn through the busy streets of Valencia and the motorway systems across the Country. We shared together some neat experiences from visiting the amazing Alhambra, the cool tapa bars and we even tried a cheap wine on the Granada river bank. It was very special.

This year we sawn Portia grow into a beautiful, confident and sincere young woman. Her friends are so great and we love having them to stay. Nadia and I would on a regular basis look at each other, shake our heads and wonder how we could be so lucky to have such an amazing daughter. And we would tell her so. She would tell me she loved me every day and I always got a kiss goodnight.

My Mum and Dad played a huge part in Portia's life. She loved doing down to Palmerston North to stay. She loved you both so much.

If you could measure the pain I feel for loosing my Minnie - it could maybe be rated at 10 out of 10 - for what a person can endure. But the love, pride and happiness I have from Portia rates at a thousand or a million - so it's worth it. I accept a bit of pain, and I know I will miss you Min but I am the luckiest person alive to have been your Dad.

Nadia's Speech:
My heart sings with joy for the love I got to share with my Gorgeous Girl. For her sweetness and gentleness too!! I know she was a SPECTACULAR KID who knew the LORD!!!! I also know that she had an awesome HEART!!!!!! She was a gracious person who invested in wonderful relationships with her family and friends!!! I know she loved all her friends here...I was privileged to see the fun and joy it bought her on a daily basis!!!! I know her life was all the richer for having you guys in it!!!! I have no regrets and peace in knowing we had no unfinished business.....WE had so many hugs, Awesome smiles, heart talks, GIRLS DAYS OUT, SHOPPING, DVD and MOVIE NITES, I will cherish these awesome memories. Thank you for being so kind, forgiving and non-judgemental, And above all for being so beautiful through and through, YOU SO ROCK BABE, KEEP ROCKING IN HEAVEN SWEETPEA.