05/09/2025
When I think back to my teenage years, I was definitely the “square peg in a round hole.” I never really clicked into one group, and that made for lonely times. I spent a lot of energy trying to figure out where I fit — and most days, the world just seemed a bit too round for me.
Farm life was my history. Mum and Dad were dairy farmers, so I grew up knowing about milk fat, grass growth, and those twice-a-day milkings. Nana and Grandad had farmed locally too, which added in a mix of floral art groups, and the good old country cabarets that gave rural life a bit of sparkle.
I even played netball for the Athletic Rugby Club, until a catastrophic knee injury sent my life in another direction. Suddenly, the bar work, catering, shearing shed jobs, relief milking, and even cooking fish and chips were all off the table.
Then, in 1993, I stepped into funeral service in Hāwera — and something clicked. This work isn’t about fitting in — it’s about connecting with people, in all their difference and uniqueness.
Fast forward to this week, and I’ll be honest — I look a little tired. It’s been one of those weeks where the days are long, the emotions are heavy, and the to-do list never seems to shrink. But behind the scenes, that’s what our work is: walking alongside families through some of the hardest moments, and doing our best to carry a little bit of their load.
To the families we’ve served this week — thank you. Thank you for your grace, your patience, and your trust. Each of you came with your own story, your own needs, and your own way of saying goodbye. It’s been our privilege to walk that journey with you.
And to our team at Hardings — I’m so proud of you. You’ve dug deep, backed each other, and kept showing up with genuine care. That’s not easy when the pace is full-on, but you’ve done it anyway. You’re the heart of what we do, and I couldn’t ask for a better group to be tired alongside.
