Journey

Time doesn’t stand still …. it is one day into the New Year already.  I read on a friend’s New Year Facebook post ‘make the time count’.  We made the time count in 2024, which seems to have disappeared quickly behind us.  We intend to make it count in 2025.  If you are still reading Rory’s blog we wish you a year full of love, laughter, adventure and good health.  We thank you for your continued support.  His quality of life, and ours, is improved because you are with us.

My first blog for the New Year traditionally reflects on the year completed.  My approach is usually to deal with the hard things first.  For me, the most profound impact was the passing of my dad, Poppa Honnor, in July.  It continues to surprise me how deep and persistent grief is.  It surfaces at the strangest of times and without warning.  I can’t imagine what it has been like for my mother as she and dad were married over 50 years.  We are now going through firsts without Poppa; Father’s Day, Sam and Caitlyn’s wedding, mum’s birthday and Christmas Day.  There is an empty space where he once was.  However, he remains alive in our hearts and minds.  Poppa’s big sister Olly passed away not long after so we attended another sad family funeral.  My cousins are also experiencing firsts without their beloved mum.  For Rory the struggles continue. His functionality, in all areas, continues to decline.  The most frustrating and devastating is his ability to stand and mobilise.  We expect him to be confined to powered mobility devices out in the community by the end of 2025.  The arthritic changes in his back mean he is now living with pain.  Some days his back is fine but others he is in pain constantly, requiring medication.  I am monitoring the situation closely as I suspect better treatment will be required in future.  In addition Rory had two skin cancer lesions removed from his torso.  Thankfully they were caught early, but they have left decent scars.  Radiotherapy is the gift which keeps on giving.  Rory said goodbye to Support Carer’s Tash, Jo and Caleb who had enabled him to live his best life.  It wasn’t only Rory who battled health issues this year.  Sam had knee surgery to repair a torn ACL from football and was laid up for several months.

Even though there were tough times in 2024 there was much joy, and plenty to be thankful for.  The highlight was Sam and Caitlyn’s wedding in October.  It was a beautiful day with many of our family in attendance.  We were all moved to tears by the love and emotion in the room.  Even though we lost Poppa this year we officially gained a beautiful daughter in-law in Caitlyn.  We all had fun in the lead up to the wedding at the Stag and Hen parties.  A close second was Rory receiving a Kiwibank Local Hero Award (Taranaki) and a New Plymouth District Council Volunteer award for his service at The Junction Reuse Shop “A double cancer survivor, Rory’s resilience and commitment inspire everyone around him. Despite the challenges he’s faced, Rory shows up twice a week with a positive attitude, ready to dive into the work of diverting waste from landfills and ensuring materials are recycled. His diligence and willingness to learn have made him a valuable part of the team, while his friendly demeanour and love of a good chat bring joy to the workplace. Rory’s contribution plays a crucial role in propelling The Junction’s mission, and his friendly presence creates welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for both volunteers and visitors alike.”

Highlights for Rory in 2024 included a CanFishing trip in Auckland with Canteen, a week’s holiday in Northland with Lance and Jackie and completing a Barista course with Rachel from Sunny’s Coffee Caravan.  Rory has welcomed Support Carer Shaun who is supporting him to live his best life.  Finally, sitting in our garage, thanks to the support of ACC, are two powered mobility devices to assist Rory’s independence in 2025; the WHILL for around town and the Overlander for wild adventures.  We have already tried the WHILL on the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, and the Overlander around the Kurapete walkway and on the beach at Mokau.  Rory loved the sense of freedom and being outdoors. 

Colt completed his first year at Inglewood High with a positive school report.  He enjoyed summiting the maunga with his Outdoor Education class and Sean.  Colt gave the acceptance speech at the Taranaki Regional Council Environment Awards after our care group at PG Nops Reserve were successful with their nomination.  Sean and I managed to carve out some personal time which is difficult given the level of support Rory requires.  Sean, Colt and I, finally managed to complete the Matemateaonga track, catching the jet boat back to Pipiriki.  Sean and I snuck away to Turangi for a weekend for our anniversary and cycled the Old Coach Road.  I enjoyed a weekend away with the girls in Papamoa.

It has been a quiet couple of weeks.  The organisations where Rory volunteers have closed their doors for a break so it is quieter for him without somewhere to go and something meaningful to do.  His Support Carers have also had a couple of weeks off.  We had a cosy Christmas lunch with immediate family; Grannie and Grandad Gardiner, Nana, Sam and Caitlyn, Rory, Colt, Sean and I.  We have stayed at home during the break having some local adventures and completing tasks around the house which were neglected in 2024.