3 Too Many

Well hello there – simple way to summarise how Saturday is going to be – a day of 2 contrasting halves – emotional – funeral in morning; physically emotional – last competitive game of footy in arvo.

Yay – no drugs (bar those I need worked) I slept through till mid 6-6:30ish.  And woke feeling like I had my brain shutdown thinking on me for a bit.  Trouble is it doesn’t take long to get into gear and start running through everything that has to happen today, and will I get it right?

House is alive with people – Jane, John, and Hannah are staying, so there is a lovely hum to the place not the pre-match Saturday barking (yes usually by me)  at the boys. Lachie is playing this morning before the funeral, so only one to feed up. Jacob’s game is at the same as the funeral so a no go. It is like a military  parade – everything is checked, double checked, – mainly by me as I seem to have had my head go into vapour land between thinking of speech and game – ahh!!!

Dad is my driver for the morning today – so we lead the way to the funeral service. Keep reminding him that we don’t need to rush and that John is driving behind us so slow it down – comment is shot me – he’s from Auckland so should drive fast anyway.  Someone please clarify that as I thought in Auckland the average travel speed was slower than the Christchurch rebuild!

The funeral was a wonderful testament and celebration of a beautiful 102 year old woman that gave so much to life.  The sign of how people inherited from been around Daisy was evident within the hearts and on the faces of all those that left the chapel yesterday.  Take your rest now, you have truly earnt it. Jacob read a pom which he did perfectly – Daisy would have been proud. Needless to say, I will not be saying anymore of the funeral.

Rochelle presented me with my new headgear for this afternoons match – it is a compulsory requirement for me to be able to play today. Then its express Dad delivery to Halswell to watch the Halswell Pinkies lads get their heads shaved! Fantastic effort by all the boys – nice fresh shiny domes to dazzle the opposition.  Also plenty of sunblock is spread around Newby baldies   Love the adventurous custom cuts that – Mouse – Mohawk  – Garth – Mohican – Fridge – Bell hop tuff.

Getting kitted up for the first (of the season) and last ever competitive match – this is very really odd!  I have some mixed emotions on this – am I really doing this – am I fit enough to give all I can today to be part of the team today.  OMG – I am in reality mode – I am questioning myself!  Yes I am  ready – yes you have already done this in your head you mug – you are about to face 7 1/2 months of controlled poisoning that the docs have said are going to smack your ass to hell – the tumors and I have agreed that this is the swan song – you’re ready.  We then get the new pink socks to wear too – really gents are you not wishing that I was called another nickname like Bluey or something

Catch up quickly with Larkin – awesome Irish gent that used to play at Halswell with us, and explain what’s happening with me and the game.  I had spoken to him at the Canterbury United game about 2 weeks before they found my mates – unfortunately Larkin – it took a bit to remember meeting you  then – this is another pocket of memory gone – ok though as i though about it and could recall some things.  Sorry Larkin if I was a little vague.

Game time – now what do you do with this round white thing again? Weird playing footy with a crash helmet on – makes you a lovely target too – chip it over the short bald guy with th headgear – he can’t header it – (please stop the comments from those that have played with saying  – but that was normal anyway)!   Give i my all – feeling great – last about 35 mins – then the left lung decides that doing the air to O2 conversion is overrated (aka breathing) – sub off for breather. Back on in second half – game going well – last chance to see it out to the end.  Feel stuffed but good – fantastic!  I will really miss this!  Oh you soppy bugger – battle hard enough for the next 7 1/2 months then there is next season! – Unfortunately – with what I’m coming up against folks – it is a no.  I will still practice when I can but as far as committing myself to a competitive game.  So simply put I have surrendered my first passion to these bloody things!! That’s it – no more!!  Oh well a 2-2 draw is a fair way to roll up nearly 40 years of footy.  I’m feeling happy and strangely not sad like I thought I would.  To the Halswell Pinkies lads – my hats off – thank you for an awesome last game – shaved heads, pink socks and all the support you are giving me.  Without a doubt  – I am beyond words.

Up to the clubroom bar meat pack to be won – 3 awesome pork chops – yum! Shout the boys from Pinkies – well earnt drinks.

Off to Pam & Karls to catch up with family after funeral.  Have dinner and quiet catchup with family.  Nice to feel comfort and supported calm through everyone, as the past few days of funeral arrangements, people logistics, and coordinated planning on top of the emotional toll has put a lot of load on to everyone. 

Home then to get 2 tired wee man to bed – it has been a huge day for them too.  Also a chance to just kick back and goss about – crap!  Off to bed then about 12:30am – physically and mentally taxed to the limit!  Oh – and have picked up an injury from footy it seems – right wrist very, very sore!  Oh no – Wilson 2!!!!

M&D time – bed!

Kia Kaha