After an hour or so of typing a posting the internet went down and I lost all but the first line! It probably is a fair indication of how I’ve been feeling since this afternoon anyway.
I am dog tired so I will just leave you with a short overview of the day. He is settling in well and the staff are getting to know him and his new routine well. That is very reassuring.
Every day he makes small steps but every day I am reminded of what has become of the life he so cherished. It is so incredibly wrong and the sense of loss is immense.
I hope that tomorrow brings a different reality. I hope that tomorrow brings more of you back.
Keep true to the course Darryl. Kites fly highest into the wind and you will rise high above this reality. You will come back, to you, not THIS.
Dad
Little Darryl, not so little eh kiddo.
You were my little buddy when you were just 4 years old. I stayed at Grandma Merlene’s for a little while and played cars with you on her lounge room floor while Brook was just a first grader and you asked what i was eating so I showed you and together we had ourselves a cheese, tomato and vegemite sandwich. You made my day when you looked at me with that little grin full of sandwich and said…’that’s the best sandwich EVER Alex’…haha…much to the revolt of the entire world -I’m sure!-
I came back for a visit a few years ago and your Uncle Len drove me up to see your new house. Wow you were 15yrs old then and I asked you if you remembered me and you said ‘ yeah…your that Alex that used to make me cheese, tomato and vegemite sandwiches!!!’
Well that’s twice now you’ve made my day. You probably don’t like them much these days…but when I come over and visit again…I’m gonna make you another one.
Back again Darryl. Keep fighting mate and get that jig saw finished for us all especially your whanau!!!!
Cmon buddy, you can do it!!!
Love and regards, Bill Thurston x x x
Still reading, still waiting, still smiling when I read of another positive development. The team you all have around you sound like excellent people and Mike, I’m glad you have persevered with the blogging.
I’m preparing for an exhibition over here, I might have travelled a little too much lately and I have just over a week to capture the people of this small Belgian pub, a place that reminds me so much of those pubs back home in Otago … a week to capture, process, frame and hang it all in time for the opening but there’s always time to pop in and see how you guys are all doing. Keep getting well Darryl.
And don’t forget to take care of yourselves as well as willing Darryl well.
Mike – you have mentioned the roller-coaster ride a good few times, well, just hang in there! You and the rest of Darryl’s support crew are doing a great job, but stay strong and stay on board – and just think of the great big yee-haa at the end!
Darryl – there are a lot of people out there just willing you on, we may not always write it down, but we ARE there, so you just keep taking those little steps, and we will watch quietly.
The whole Sabin team – take care, we are with you every day.
Henry & Jeanette.
Darryl, Mike, Catherine, Brenna and Brook
We arrived back at the beach yeaterday and I need you to know Darryl that I am really missing the sound of Brenna as she plays outside, her giggles competing with the warbles of the tuis. Come home Darryl, bringing her with you, riding on your shoulders as I have often seen her do.
Good Afternoon Dazzla.
Hope you are feeling good today. From what hear you have a very good team of people working around you, trying to help you. So rest easy knowing this.
The weather was pretty shit here yesterday, rainy and cold. But hey I guess it is winter.
My Mom and Dad are comming down next weekend, for the long weekend, should be good cus they haven’t seen my new place yet.
Try and rest well tonight, and I’ll talk to you again soon.
Love Lulu*.
hey uncle darryl
me and the boys have been thinking of you heaps
lately and we all think you are going to wake up
soon i made you a picture on my wall so i see you
when i walk in and walk out we talk about you all
the time and dance to your song when ever zinny
wants it on, i can put it on by myself now
miss you uncle darryl
i love you
love jakey boy
i love you uncle darryl so much
love hawkey
Hey Dazzla
hope you have had an awesome day
specially in the new pad
lets hope they can help you open
some vital locks
catch up with you tomorrow
Tubbs Family
Hey there Darryl and whanau,
Just wanted you to know we are still here and following your progress each night… I’m pleased to read that the staff at your new place are learning about you and the man that you are.
All our love and wishes are with you all…
Hey Darryl, found a photograph of you and Brooke and James the other day, decked out in your league jerseys when you must have only been about 4 or 5. I don’t think you guys actually played much in those days, the daiseys on the field were more interesting to you. Have been following your Dad’s blog about your journey.
Stay strong Mike and I am sure that Darryl will rejoin you all real soon.
All our love – The Bennetts