Arohanui Clay

I was devastated to hear the news this morning that a much loved New Zealand friend I first met whilst travelling in Australia, but also lived and worked in London for a while when I did, has died.  

His wife and my friend Carolyn made this moving statement today on FB:

This afternoon, Clay - the compassionate beating heart of our family – slipped out of this life and into the next. He was 57. It was two years and three months since he was first diagnosed with cancer.
We’re completely heartbroken.
Clay wanted to die at home, and we’re indebted to our friend Lisa with her friendship and hospice nursing skills, for helping us ensure that he could.
He didn’t believe his death and cancer journey should be described as a “battle”, or himself as having “fought bravely,” because it implied to him that some people try harder than others to stay alive.
Instead, he endeavoured to live his last couple of years with integrity and humility. And with so much love. And we’re grateful his inherent warmth and humour stayed with him.
There’ll be an Auckland service for him early next week followed by a service in Maketu. We’ll advise of details as they come to hand.
In the meantime, thank you. We’ve been humbled by the friendship, generosity, and kindnesses from so many of you. Most of all, you made Clay feel loved. And that he had much to be grateful for.
How lucky we are that he was ours.
Love from
Carolyn, Kayla and Joseph

We had planned to go to NZ in 2020 when we knew about the cancer but of course COVID meant we couldn't travel.  More information on thepainterswife's journal.  I've pinched the  unfamiliar Maori word 'Arohanui'  from A's journal as it sums up exactly what I want to say too.

We toasted him with a new Brewdog concoction delivered today.