End of The Year

Where did that go? 2023 must go down as one of the worst years experienced in my life. Hard to believe in February we were knocked over by such a major disaster .By we, I mean the lovely people of Esk Valley,Puketapu,Omaranui,Rissington Awatoto and Pakowhai. All these areas were rural or semi rural and inhabited by great people who value the land and what it produces .People who largely preferred rural living and primary production for there source of income. The similarity of these people came to the fore at a time of extreme pressure and the comaradery immediately apparent saw neighbour help neighbour and each community quickly working to solve difficult situations. It was a pleasure to observe all this new found strength arousing to help friends and neighbours in their time of need. As the year comes to an end it is sad to conclude that there are still many displaced families and residents ,many houses still without any repairs, many properties still displaying damage from the ravages of the flood water. But there is hope. I do not know where people get their strength from.Plenty is going on behind the scenes and come the new year I think things will really start to move along. It will take a few years to restore properties so lets hope this next one is a giant leap towards restoration.

HUGS Come in many forms. Always special. It's been a year of meaningful hugs. Hugs from friends new friends ,helpers,old friends and special friends. I treasure every one of them. I've reached a point where I can categorise hugs but nothing like the categories inflicted on the flooded and misplaced. No, my categories all fall in to the messaging category, our embraces pass on the love and compassion and wonderful connection that needs no words. Today I had one of the best and worst hugs. A friend and colleague called to say he was travelling down the path to an end.He had tests that confirmed things were not good.And he is so young. What followed was a good kiwi chat and a hug that was supreme when it comes to hugs.Strong,long and hard hitting in the chest. A hug that will last forever in that category.One of those memories indelibly printed in the brain. Contrast such a hug with a group hug a few days earlier with the A team.Well not really a team but two exceptional young ladies that are full of warmth and understanding. These were happy hugs that will come again as we travel down the repair path. More hugs to come.

Rain Anxiety Its amazing how the left can interpret a very serious matter . I read an account about rain anxiety written by someone , who to me hadn't actually experienced a flood , hence had no actual experience, to then extrapolate such an experience in to a media story explaining how to cope and what to do when faced with a repeat. I myself would never have believed in such a state as rain anxiety unless I had experienced the devastating effect of a flood and then the follow up , the conditions building up ,the weather pattern copying a previous event. Weather patterns come and go.The time period can vary over years and many don't grasp the way nature behaves.Some peoples time lines are as short as their brain span.Others who may work on the land, work with nature ,feel an affinity with the world around them, they can understand what is occurring but as well , know that we experience changes and nothing can be done to alter the course nature. Back to rain anxiety. It is similar to many other things in life.If you have been subjected to a major event of any sort it has a great impact on your life.Your brain remembers. As the grey clouds build over several days and drizzle greets the morning or persistant light rain runs down the windows you are triggered. How long is this going to last? Preceding the flood the rain started lightly and built up to a continual lashing .It built to a level I had never experienced before. It was so heavy during the night that I couldnt escape the noise. I moved downstairs to try and get some sleep. So with another cyclone developing you wonder if it is going to build to another downfall. You check the weather forecast (even that is difficult) and note that the red spot is missing.The red that signifies intense rainfall. That is at least a comfort and one needs to be rational and relax .Well at least we hope the met people have the map right. Hope the satellite pictures are properly interpreted. Anxious.You bet.I now understand why these repeat events impacts friends and families. The lefty response to anxiety was to cozy up to the fire and relax.Pfft. Get stuffed. Some things that have been learnt are that communication is essential. Make sure your phone is charged up. It was useful having a landline until the water rose over the bench and drowned it but at least it worked for one of the family before that happened.