Closer to home

Cyclone Gabrielle’s tragedy was brought closer to home this morning when I realised that I knew family of one of the victims.

I had heard that a league player’s father had died in the flooding in Hawkes Bay but didn’t give it that much thought until he was named.  My late son, Daniel, had played league with his sons at Ngongataha, Rotorua, back in 2009. It was the year I did my massage training in Hawkes Bay and I would travel up to watch the games in Rotorua. One particularly exciting game I remember, was when their team made the final. They didn’t win the game but it was an exciting one, none-the-less. I can’t remember which of the brothers Daniel played with, but because of one brother’s fame, it was a name I remembered. I know these were his friends and I think a reason Daniel joined the Ngongataha club in the first place. We have a photo somewhere of that year’s prizegiving, with Daniel alongside one of these sons. Daniel was living in Reporoa at the time, and had just switched from playing rugby, to league, a passion that took him to Australia after that season ended, to try his hand in the bigger field. Unfortunately, Daniel suffered several injuries, concussion being one of them, and retired from the game shortly after that. Daniel had always enjoyed sport, was a natural long-distance runner, had incredible stamina and loved his rugby and league. I do see these characteristics coming out in his daughter and with a mother who is also athletic, I am sure Willow will follow in her parent’s footsteps.

It is very sad hearing of these deaths from Cyclone Gabrielle, particularly so when one realises they knew some of the family. Losing a loved one, suddenly, is a terrible thing to go through. But for some families the loss of their loved one is coupled with the loss of their home and belongings as well. And there are families who may not have lost a family member but have lost everything they owned. May you all find strength in this difficult time and know that the rest of the country is behind you. Our thoughts and love go out to you all.