Remembering Christine: A Celebration of Courage & Determination
In the still of a stunning morning last weekend it was extremely special to remember and celebrate the life of Christine Hayter in the peace and beauty of Eden Gardens with her family and friends.
Christine had lived an incredible 26 years with Parkinson’s disease with such courage and determination and yet she didn’t allow this to define her. Instead with tenacity, grit and a ‘can do’ attitude she advocated for, and encouraged many, and sought to live life to the full.
Christine’s insight into her condition and her ability to write about that and express it truly was a gift to herself and others using phrases like “turn the fright of your life into the fight of your life.”
Family shared many of her stories and poems with me and a number of these were lovingly read during her Memorial Service.
I would like to share two from the day – the first Slow as a Tortoise written in 2005:
Slow as a Tortoise
Parkinson’s is the name they gave
To my symptoms, many vague
“It could be worse,” some people said
“You could be really ill or dead!”
Although the research gives me hope
I have to learn to live and cope
With the symptoms as they are
And drugs that only go so far
I’ve coped by living day to day
Determined not to give it sway
Optimism is the key
Be the best that you can be
Inside I feel I’m just the same
I don’t see myself as lame
I want to skip and walk and run
And move the same as everyone
Every time I make a move
I must think hard to make it smooth
Words like “fast” and “speed” shall be
Erased from my vocabulary
Slow is chic, enabling you
To see things from another view
Time takes on a new dimension
Releasing you from all that tension
I keep in mind that old, old fable
Hare didn’t think the tortoise able
Those that set the early pace
Might not get to win the race!
And secondly a poem she had saved Slow Dance by David L. Weatherford which has some great advice for us all:
Slow Dance
Have you ever watched the kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Do you ever run through each day on the fly?
When you ask “how are you”? Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in bed
with the next hundred chores
running through your head?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
The music won’t last.
Ever told your child we’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not seen his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die,
cause you never had time to call and say hi?
You’d better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won’t last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift, thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower.
Hear the music before the song is over.
Thank you Christine.
Moe mai ra, e Karaitiana
Haere… haere… haere atu ra
Ka Kite ano.
Rest in peace, dear Christine
Farewell… farewell… farewell
Until we meet again.