Christmas is family
“It’s not what’s under the tree that matters, its who’s gathered around it”
Family is the heart of Christmas so it is somewhat ironic that the only photo I took on the day was of Grannie Gardiner’s huge trifle rivalling my 12 egg pavlova! I counted my blessings at lunch when all our immediate family sat around the table sharing great food, love and laughter; Nana and Poppa Honnor, Uncle Guy, cousins Ethan and Corbyn, Grannie and Grandad Gardiner, Sean and I, Sam and Caitlyn, Rory and Colt. After lunch we headed out to Everett Park to walk through the Kahikatea forest and swim in the Mangonui River. On Boxing day there was more Christmas love and strengthening of family connections. We had lunch with Uncle Matt and Auntie Vanessa on the farm and caught up with some of Sean’s cousins and their families gathered from around the North Island.
In the lead up to Christmas Rory spent a day with Jo so Sean and I could both attend the Environment Services annual field workshop. Sean worked his last day at Taranaki Regional Council on Wednesday and it was tinged with sadness. He was employed as an Environment Officer 11.5 years ago when we moved to Inglewood. He took the job to provide stability for our family when Rory went into remission for brain cancer in 2010. We never imagined it would also anchor us through a battle with bone cancer in 2019/2020. However, it is time for a change and new challenges. Sean will miss the people; his colleagues and the members of the community he worked closely with to protect native species and habitats in our region.
Rory spent his final couple of days with Natasha for 2021 attending the gym and volunteering at the Alzheimers Club, SPCA and Doggy Day Care. They called in to see Rob to wish him Merry Christmas. Rob remains unvaccinated so we have to keep some distance but Rory misses his company. He currently has a cold and an itchy dry cough. Colt had a cold prior to Christmas (negative Covid19 swab) and unfortunately Rory has caught it. On Christmas eve Colt lost a tooth while eating licorice. The Tooth Fairy managed to enter the house with Santa when he used his magic key.
Happy Birthday Grandad Gardiner and Auntie Teri xox