BRIAN

Brian Chesham was sleeping rough for 15 years. He would park his battered car underneath the Stewart Street trees in Raglan. 
Val and I first noticed him when we arrived over six years ago. His hair, beard and baggy pants blew in the wind as he spent countless hours padding around town in bare feet with his loyal German Shepherd, Luga. 
We would often say hi and Brian would grunt back. After many such greetings the grunt turned into friendly conversations and returned smiles. Brian grew to trust us and once he got to know you he valued chatting over a coffee outside a few cafes. He could tell a few yarns and enjoyed a good belly laugh. He had a sharp mind and a quick wit.
Raglan appreciated Brian for who he was. Our community generously purchased him a van fitted out with a fridge, cooktop and dog bowls. Brian was rapt with the gift and if possible his toothy grin got bigger. A local farmer let him put his van under cover in a barn over winter. 
Brian passed away recently. He was 67. His last act was to pull his van safely off  State Highway 23 as a third heart attack finished him. Hundreds of locals attended his memorial service in the Raglan Club. Brian and Luga lived alone but they were loved by many. Luga has been rehomed in Raglan and we now see him walking around town with his new owner. 
Arohanui Brian.

POINTS TO PONDER
‘Look for the good’ in people. If you do, you will find it. 
Be kind and patient with people. You have to earn their trust no matter how long it takes.
People on the ‘fringe of society’ can teach us many life lessons. Be prepared to change your mindset of what we perceive as normal - we live in a colour world, not a black and white one.



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