Journey

There are all sorts of strange side-effects to our lives of Rory’s cancer.  One of them is the amount of time the boys spend with their friends.  After Rory’s initial cancer treatment the number of occasions Sam brought friends home reduced.  We had our hands full with Rory’s recovery and when we came up for air we valued space, not more childhood energy.  As Rory recovered and we ventured back out into the wild, he required extra support.  Only the fittest and most capable of Sam’s friends joined us.  Sam was lucky he had football as an outlet and he saw his closest friend at practices and games, and they were at school together.  We try and ensure Colt has time with his friends.  This is a challenge because Rory is in worse physical and cognitive condition after his second cancer treatment.  Plus Sean and I are older.  At 20 Rory would have left home to forge his own path but this is unlikely to ever be the case.  Space continues to be a valuable commodity.  We value the days Support Carer Jo spends with Rory in the weekends.  We are free to be in the wild.  When we venture outdoors it is typically Sean, Colt and I.  Colt’s friends aren’t as fit as Sam’s were and our long adventures, while wonderful, can tire me.  However, we are slowly coming to the realisation we can use these weekend days, on occasion, for other things.  We spent a day on the Taranaki Arts Trail and today we attended the Toko & Districts Lions Club Fundraiser, Lap the map for Diabetes.  As the distance was shorter than usual Colt was able to bring his friend Matthew.  We followed a loop walk from the Huinga Hall, along the scenic clay road to the Huinga tunnel and back.  It was great to hear the boys constant chatter.  Afterwards we stopped at Wai o Rua, the new indoor aquatic centre in Stratford so they could cool off.  In the car on the way home they had fun making milk shake moustaches and taking selfies. 

It has been a settled week for Rory.  He has been selling a few of the recycled timber wooden boards he makes with Peter (who this week is in a moon boot) as Christmas presents.  He and Tash enquired about volunteering at the Salvation Army op-shop when WITT finishes for the year.  They are looking for activities to fill their days.  Rory spent today with Jo, making fudge, searching Pukekura Park for play rocks (if you find a painted rock with the Sport Taranaki logo you win a prize) and watching Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at the movies. 

Our thoughts and love go out this week to the Carson/Dodunski and Ryan families.  Both have lost suddenly their beloved canine family members recently.  Jo her Whio dog Tai and Jake his assistance dog Louie.  Dogs bring so much joy to our lives with their faithful companionship, loyalty, unconditional love and acceptance.