Reader's Digest New Zealand Oct/Nov Issue

ALThough we don’t know exactly what went through Dad’s mind after he had a stroke in 2002, the frustration of losing his dairy farmer’s can-do independence and physical strength was plain to see. He would get angry with himself as he struggled to speak coherently and we’d often hear him say, “I feel so useless”. The months that followed his stroke saw many changes for my parents: they were forced to leave their home on the farm in Springdale and move into town. And just as they fell into a routine of stroke-recovery therapies, Mum was diagnosed with cancer. Despite her own poor health, Mum took on the responsibilities of caring for Dad and herself. Seeing her struggle only made Dad more frustrated. Then, in 2010, Mum’s cancer returned, this time making its way to her lungs. In 2015, my parents moved into a nursing home, both needing a higher level of care than could be provided at home. Despite being married for 56 years, Mum insisted on separate rooms. Dad was happy just to have Mum close by. To make them feel at ease in their new surroundings, we decided to bring some of their favourite things from Along the way, love can get lost – buried under the days, weeks and years of our busy lives – but it never dies Love Rekindled Debbie Gorman lives in a small rural town in New Zealand. She works in an office and is married with three teenage children. Her interests include singing, dancing, reading, soccer and walking on the beach. by debbie gorMan PhotoS: (WEDDING) courtESy of DEbbIE GormAN; (hArmoNIcA) iStock MY STORY OC TOBER/NOVEMBER 2025