In sickness and in health

When Miriam Davis married Huia Panui yesterday every guest at the ceremony believed in miracles - they were celebrating one.
"In sickness and in health", the happy couple promised each other as wedding guests' tears flowed freely.
It had been the terminally ill Miriam's dying wish that she marry the man she had lived with for 18 years, and with whom she had had three children.
On a day when Miriam's loved ones might have been gathered at the bedside as she died, they were instead proud guests at her wedding.
Her loved ones and hospice staff were amazed that the Whangarei woman could rally enough strength to make it happen.
The spirited 36-year-old had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in August 2004, and told then she would be lucky to live another six months.
But yesterday, on a beautiful autumn afternoon, Miriam again defied the odds to give one more day of happiness to her loved ones.
Only the day before - just over a week after arriving at North Haven Hospice to live out her last days - Miriam had told Huia she wanted them to marry while there was still time.
"We're going to get married tomorrow," she had said, knowing there was possibly only one day left to carry out a dream the couple always shared but never quite got around to.
In less than 24 hours hospice staff, volunteers, family and friends made the impossible happen - they organised a wedding, the first ever held at North Haven.
One staff member lent a wedding dress, others rustled up food, flowers, decorations and a wedding cake. Several local businesses donated the trimmings for a wedding that would make any bride happy.
"I'm taking my chance while I've still got it," Miriam said only hours before the ceremony. "This is the happiest day of my life."
"I am happy that she and I have got we always wanted," Huia said, struggling to contain what he called a roller-coaster of emotions.
There were no thoughts of what the next few days might bring, he said.
"It's one one step at a time ... We knew what the outcome of her illness was going to be."
In a wheelchair, Miriam entered the hospice's conference room under a guard of honour made by hospice workers' upstretched arms. As she was wheeled down the rose petal-strewn aisle a group of youngsters sang I Just Called to Say I Love You. Later, during the signing of the marriage papers, they sang Help Me Make It Through the Night.
Sharing the occasion were Miriam and Huia's three children Asher, 14, Clayton, 13, and Sheree, 12, and Miriam's two older sons Joshua and Lucas.
Miriam's eldest brother Wally Davis, who had come from Australia to be with his sister and family for her last days, had instead found himself giving her away at her wedding.
"This is an absolutely marvellous day for my sister and Huia, and all our family," Mr Davis said.
Another brother, William Davis agreed. "It's a celebration. It feels like a miracle. If this time last week someone said there was going to be a wedding, I wouldn't have believed it."