Journey

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail (Ralph Waldo Emerson). 

I have been trying to think of a way to sum up 2022 for our family.  The word stability springs to mind but this implies life followed a smooth path.  Even though continued remission for Rory removes a huge obstacle there continues to be uneven ground and challenges to face.  We continue to forge our own way forward in the hope there will be success and joy along the way.  There are many examples in 2022.  Rory remained NED (no evidence of disease) 2 ½ years after completing treatment for osteosarcoma.  He continued to make beautiful wood creations with Peter at NP Men’s Shed, got a tattoo of Yoda, completed a year at Polytech (WITT) and due to our success with ACC claims received a greater level of support.  I moved sideways at TRC to lead the Biodiversity programme, cycled the best section of the Timber Trail and ticked a few tramps off my bucket list, all while turning half a century.  Sean flourished with more time with the boys and hunting (shooting a 14 point red deer stag) freed from the pressure of full-time work.  Sam and Caitlyn got engaged.  Sam completed another year of his Plumbing apprenticeship while Caitlyn qualified as a Chartered Accountant and received a promotion.  Colt continued to grow like a mushroom, thriving at Year 7 camp at Te Wera, wining Intermediate Spelling Bee and being nominated as best Year 7 boy at IPS.  We have been lucky to celebrate multiple birthdays together as a family and discover new places and activities on holidays to Waihi, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.  We have been fortunate in 2022 and I don’t take this for granted. 

It has been a busy week.  We had 19 people for Christmas lunch, including Grannie and Grandad Gardiner who stayed for three days.  We took Grannie to the Festival of the Lights at Pukekura Park before she left.  We haven’t been for a couple of years due to Covid and the difficulty of getting Rory around in the evening.  This year we booked a mobility scooter.  Riding allowed Rory to participate safely and without too much physical effort from him (or us).  However, it was a challenge for Rory to control the scooter on uneven ground amongst large numbers of people, especially once it got dark.  He was mentally drained at the end of the evening. 

I have enjoyed one weeks leave and I have one more to go.  It has taken a bit of effort to disconnect from work as for the first time in ages, for the whole year, it has been at the forefront of my existence.  Sean, Colt and I made most of the fine weather and took the opportunity to escape for two days tramping; 8 hours up and across the Pouakai Range and then to Matapeka Falls, North Taranaki.  We have had incredible views and been surrounded by a variety of flowers and masses of insects.  Unfortunately I over extended myself on the mountain and got DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) which lasted for three days afterwards.  The muscles in my legs were so stiff and sore I could barely bend at the knees.  On these days Rory enjoyed the break from us with his Support Carers.  Yesterday we made a day trip to Whanganui to visit the market and peruse the art galleries.  We finished with a walk around Virginia Lake.  Colt enjoyed feeding pellets to the multitude of waterfowl and their chicks. 

We would like to thank everyone who has followed Rory’s journey and provided us with support in 2022.  It is much appreciated.  We wish you good health, adventure and happiness in 2023.

xox Leigh, Sean, Sam, Caitlyn, Rory and Colt