The last few days have taught me a lot about love.  The love of my husband, my family, my friends, my colleagues and how complete strangers can extend their love through caring.  The best part of yesterday’s return was being able to hug my boys.  The second best bit was being at the wedding of my neighbours who after 18 years of procrastination tied the knot in the Kaitoke Regional Park.  It was an intimate, simple yet beautiful ceremony with a handful of friends and family.

If I’ve learned anything about life this week is that it’s fragile and we take too much for granted. Buildings may be destroyed but they can be rebuilt – lives lost will never be replaced.  My Dad thinks that it’s the love of my mother who watches over me as my guardian angel and that’s how I survived what happened in Christchurch.  I like the thought that the power of her love is what keeps me here to still to live everyday life.  It’s certainly the love and support of people who have kept me going over recent days. I cherish that more now more than ever.