A good day today, relatively settled, good physio and good responses to blogs and our questions and the smell of my coffee!! Another day, another baby step.
The days that have passed since this tragedy have been the most challenging of my life as a father. There is not an emotion that I haven’t experienced, a fear I have not felt, a hope I have not had. The toll it takes on not just myself, but all of us here with him is not really something that can be calculated and will define our lives ahead, good bad or otherwise.
This event and the days and months still to pass will define Darryl also and every day when I sit with him and as Brook, Brenna, Catherine and I take turns at sharing words of support and belief, a few laughs or messages from others we can’t help but long for him to share with us in conciousness also.
Maybe one day we will all look back on these times and laugh and joke, after all, every tragedy becomes comedy in time, it is human nature – in time. It is hard to see that now and at times I fight myself not to feel helplessly trapped in a nightmare that no-one seems to wake me from let alone Darryl. It is a time that the character is tested for all concerned and this is where so much of my hope derives.
From the day Darryl was born his character has defined him. He is strong of mind, he is courageous, he is determined, he is compassionate, he is loving, he is a son any father would be proud of, none more so than me. All that Darryl is, and is still to be, is what he is fighting back with. My hope remains in this more than anything.
There is no way to answer the questions we have about how long, how hard, how bad, but there is one thing that I will never question – the character and will of my son. I felt it pounding in his heart hours after his surgery and I have felt it in his iron grip every day. He is one of lifes great beings – no doubt, no question…
Mike
Hi there
Just catching up on the latest. It’s great to hear of the small improvements each day. Mike you are such a dedicated dad. Darryl must be extremely proud to have a father like you, as you are proud to have a son like him.
Brenna way to go you get the top nurse award.
Darryl keep up the great work we are all cheering you on from the sidelines.
Catherine hope to catch up sometime when you are not too busy.
Stay strong
Love Julz
Hi Darryl
We are back again after a couple of very busy days.
Shearing finished early Monday morning then we went into organising the sheep stock check.
Ross Foy came to count the sheep (he sends his regards), Duanne and Simon from Te Rangi helped out which was much appreciated.
On Wednesday we have been mustering ready for the cattle stock check on Thursday. Again Ross is counting and the accountants are sending up an auditor. This is an annual event required by the Trust. The Te Rangi staff are helping Deane and myself with the stock work.
The weather is windy and cold but at least it is not raining.
We have had some more silverbeet from your garden, have also picked some broccoflower but not eaten it yet.
Have pruned the tomatoes back, put slug bait down, powdered with derris dust and watered the plants. Can’t believe how well it is growing but it is a warm north facing spot.
There were 7 small pigs in Lake 8 yesterday afternoon. I despatched 5 with my trusty Magnum 22 rifle, 2 escaped into the forestry. There seems to be plenty of wild pigs around at the moment. You are missing all the fun.
Keep up the good work
Regards
Kathleen, Max, Deane, Latimer, Lewis and Sandy
So true Mike, so True! Darryl IS one of life’s great beings – no doubt and no question.
Kia ora Mike & Whanau.
My name is Amy kake. You don’t know me but I met your mum, Megan, at Curves in Whangarei while doing the machines we got chatting and she mentioned your son’s accident. I could immediately empathise with you and your family as you go through the daily challenges that confront you’s as your son rehabilitates from his injury. My daughter, Karla was 20 when she suffered a traumatic brain injury following a car accident on Sept 11, 1991. Sept 11 – a significant date for us.
Anyhow we faced many challenges that required our family to unite together, stronger than ever before, so that we could overcome them.
There’s an old saying about adversity. “What doesn’t destroy you makes you grow stronger”
We faced many challenges with Karla during her rehabilitation. At the start there were many organisations that we became aware of like the Brian Injury Society, Northland and similar. As this was all new to us we failed to recognise and accept the help and experience that they had to offer. In hindsight, if we accepted their offer of using their services, I’m sure that the challenges and hurdles we faced during Karla’s rehab would not have been as great. And I’m sure Karla’s rehab would have been easier and quicker for her if we used their expertise. But at that stage of her rehab, at the start, we don’t know what we don’t know.
Geez !! If only blog sites were around then…
I wish you and your family and especially Darryl all the best for the future. Kia Kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.
Oh man, DAZZLA
YAY so stoked for you mate,
you are doing so well
baby steps are huge
each one is something special
and so treaured by us ALL…
Well done D A Z Z L A
Working hard on getting Lulu* to come over
and live, she is such a waist in a big city
she could make such a difference to a small
town school – like Pamapuria HA HA HA
We miss you heaps Darryl and cant wait to catch up.
We have done heaps of work on the place since you were
last here, you would be impressed, Allen is good on the
digger. Alec’s mare had a foal to slade and its a beauty
growing fast . Alec gave his old pony to Hawke to ride
and he is so stoked, he wants to take it to pet day, oh man
Cleo’s op was off then on then off and now looks like its going to happen again, shame man poor family going through a tough couple of weeks. It has to be right though.
Allen not playing this season i guess partly too much work on and partly shocked about you, he was to play you the following weekend, and funny but we got home on saturday night (ANZAC) and he said : ” I can’t play next week chicken, i just can’t do it.” Pretty crazy mate.
You have so many people that love and care about you, please dont ever forget, we all need you in our lives you give it a spark.
Mike, i totally understand about parents instinct, trust it always because it is never wrong, and that instinct will be huge for Dazzla right now and in his recovery. So use it, we are so stoked that you are able to be there, just to constantly cast your eyes over the situation and make the correct judgement calls. Withour you his recovery will be so much slower. We all have the faith mate and i know you do too. So keep on kepping on, it will be well worth it, you have the most important job in the world right now, we all do as parents. When Darryl wakes we are heading down to get you pissed. Look out – Tubbs’s in the city, Should be a good laugh
Take care all
With much love and repect for Your efforts and Darryls
Tubbs Family
Kia kaha buddy!!!!!
Still praying for you and waiting patiently!!!!!
Love and regards to the whanau as well !!!!
Bill Thurston
Hi Darryl
We are back after several very busy days.
We finished shearing early Monday morning and then went straight into organising the sheep for stock check on Tuesday.
Ross Foy did the counting (he sends his regards) and Duanne and Simon from Te Rangi helped out Max and Deane. All went well.
On Wednesday the Te Rangi staff helped out again (much appreciated) in preparation for the cattle stock check on Thursday. Ross is again counting and the accountants are sending up an auditor to oversee.
This is an annual event that is required by the Trust.
The weather is cold and windy but at least we are getting no rain.
We have had some more silverbeet from your garden and picked some broccoflower.
Kathleen has pruned back the tomatoes, put down slug bait, dusted with derris dust and watered the plants.
Can’t believe how well everything is growing but it is in a warm north facing spot.
There were 7 small pigs out in Lake 8 Tuesday afternoon. They were spotted by the fertiliser spreaders.
I despatched 5 of them with my trusty 22 Magnum rifle. 2 escaped into the forestry. There seems to be a lot of wild pigs around at the moment. You are missing out on all the fun.
It’s another big day today with the cattle check on so will sign off for now.
Keep up the good work
Regards
Kathleen, Max, Deane, Latimer, Lewis and Sandy
PS Lewis sends one of his big sloppy kisses to you.
Hi Darryl,
I had a dream the other night that you were up and walking around and talking to visitor, your hair was pretty shaggy too! It was very reassuring. You keep on getting better, do your physio well(coming from another physio!) and keep working hard as there are so many people wanting to catch up with you. Have a good week, till next time. Lots of smiles and support.
Jane
Hi There Mike & Catherine & Brenna,
Still thinking & parying for you all. What a tough time for you all.
I had an Uncle who was in a bad car crash, he remained unconcious for over a month & came out full able to function. So hang on in there.
As his Dad Mike dont forget to ask God to look down on Darryl.. Just put you hand on Darryl & pray, God does know & care but sometime we actually have to verbalise our concerns to Him.
Hi Darryl, Hope today will be even better than yesterday. As soon as I get to work each day I check in to see how your progress is going. Bit cold out her in the world anyway, you might as well wait till summer or have you sussed that already. By now the Good Lord (who obviously “took His eye off the ball” on Anzac day) will be saying to Himself “who is this Darryl Sabin, his name keeps coming up in prayers” and he will be checking his plan for you. Great writing Mike, very well worded and interesting although a sad subject. You are a very dedicated Dad. I understand the fear and the excitement from the sideline too. Our son played till he was 25. Cant wait to do the big WIHOOO one of these mornings, in the office. Hope its soon.
Hi There Mike, Catherine & Brenna,
Still thinking & praying for you all. What a tough time you are having.
I had an uncle who had a bad car crash & remained unconcious for over a month. He came out able to fully function. So hang in there.
Great to hear yesterday was a good day.
It’s so good that Darryl’s friends are keeping him informed of life at home in the vege patch and what’s happening in the his world.
You’ve got a fantastic team behind you Darryl.
I guess Mike you may just coin the phrase “wake up and smell the coffee”. Perhaps there could be a future endorsement deal if the brew is good enough!
Keep those baby steps going Darryl, one foot after another.
Hey Darryl
Had a bit of sleep in, woke up at 3am and just couldnt get back to sleep. Was suppossed to be going to Mcgarrys with Terry but got up for the loo at 6am and it was bloody FREEZING….
Needless to say I didnt want to go anymore (Poor Terry) he shouldnt have been surprised though. I hate travelling especially towing the horses. It takes an hour and 3/4 to get there from here so Im way over it before Ive got on me horse.
Im actually going down to my old neighbours this weekend with my horse.Quite excited about it actually ,going to ride around my old stomping ground Parua Bay. Up the Pataua estuary , awesome riding country. Starting off from Kyles at Whareora and ride through the forestry to my friends about 2 – 3 hr ride.
So going to do the last coat on the painting and DO THE LAWNS, then Ive earnt my girly weekend aye…
Im wishing you a good weekend with all things going as they should for you and I be back in touch on monday okay my friend.
Love and hugs
Traceyxxxxxx
hi my favourite cuzzy, wow i hear you’re doing great, you’re so strong and yip i always knew you were haha. im trying my hardest to come down, ive just got to fix my car. cars ay haha.im at nana and pops writing this sitting with the famous fat cat samantha.she says hi(meow) haha but yea im taking jordyn out to ride these horses soon, she’ll love it.We have a photo hanging up of you at home it’s of you,brook,shane and i when we went for a swim at Coopers beach,my hair looks like seaweed. Remember that haha it was awhile back funny picture tho but you look good though.well ill love ya and leave ya keep strong you’re doing great. hi to Megan, Brook, Mike and family.lots of love Laura.
Kia kaha Darryl and your whanau..
Hope to see you, your whanau and TeHapua @ The Grand Final.
Piki Te Ora
Motukohu
Heya Darryl,
Since we’re down to our last 16 cows to calve I guess its about time I sat down and had a proper catch up.
This calving season has been crazy with more than 80 calves in (thats more than I’ve ever done). Little buggers drive me nuts, I spend most of the day teaching week old bovines to drink….Its testing the limits of my paitience!!
Start of the season has been strenuous, there’s been all sorts of probs with Mastitis(We’ve finally found a homeopathic remedy) and been hit hard with thermodurics tests and only just found out that the tests haven’t been accurate, the problem was spores in old grass silage, grrr, that was after nearly a month of demerits and nearly $1200 in grades… Ahwell.
Had a good yak about you with Hails the other night, was soo funny. Remember the first time you met her, you turned up at my place with the GIANT crate of Waikato (lol- Hails affectionatley calls them MANS BEER).
Ahahaha.Funny times, and we’ve got sooo much to hassle you about!! You just WAIT!! heh heh
Anyway, Katie sends her love from Perth and Marz too(Aux).
Wait till you see how many cyber friends you have, lol. I know you didn’t get into this web junk, but really, you’re quite popular! Marz invited me to join and by then there were only 7 friends (3 people I know) now theres heaps!
Mum n Dad say Hi n Miss Piggy too (shes doing okay, walking, but only short distances)
Brightandcolourfulhugs from us all in the BeautifulFarNorth
Hads
Hi Darryl,
Dropping in to say hi and we are all thinking of you. I talk about you to people a lot lately. I have since transported two ruby players in my ambulance and I am starting to fear the game myself. Now lets see if I can convince Lance to stop playing……. ha ha, yeah right. You wouldn’t believe it was his 31st birthday this weekend. I am having all of the boys over for a “sunday session” which I’m sure you would have appreciated too! Get well soon so you can come hang out with us again. In the immortal words of the Jerry Garcia, “just keep truckin, oooooonnnnn.”
Cheers
Steph and Lance
Hi Darryl,
Thought just say quick HI before I head off , just had me porrige and going to catch me horse.
Terry is going to bring his horse and come for a ride today with us. Pretty cool cos I can show him where I used to ride when I was a spring chicken hahaha
Get those important zzzzzzzzz’s so your strength comes back aye my friend. You’ll have so many people wanting to visit you when you are a bit better (thats what happens when you’re such a NICE person.)
Its blooody freeeeezing again this morning , my horse will probably go into shock when I catch and saddle him..YEP its been a while.
Talk again monday
Love and hugs
Traceyxxxxxxx