I knew when we first came to New Zealand that the land was geologically and historically young. The folds of the hills looked to me like the wrinkles of a new born child. As a geographer I knew all too well the physically volatile nature of New Zealand’s land. But the danger always felt distant. There were moments I felt the land’s power; small earthquakes in Wellington and Napier, a small volcanic eruption on Mt Ruapehu one winter’s day in 1997 when we were skiing down the slopes of Turoa, the geysers, mud pools and smoking fumeroles of Rotorua; walking on the acidic, barren and sulphur rich, active volcano of White Island. But these glimpses to New Zealand’s powerful underbelly excited me.
When Charlotte asked me the ‘What if?’ question about an earthquake happening in Wellington I gave her an honest, but gentle reply.
We live in a very young country, but it is because of it’s volatile nature that it is so very beautiful. We should always be prepared, but we shouldn’t live in the presence of fear. We are just as likely to have an accident crossing the road, slipping in the bathroom or falling from a tree.
Many people believe that our lives are in the hands of God and when our time is up, it’s up. We may have lived a long or a short time on Earth, but our spirit will live on. What is most important is to live every day the best we can. To make sure our family know how much we love them. To work hard to get along and be kind to one another. To make every moment count. Life is like a gift, that’s why it is called ‘the present’.
Charlotte was content with my reply and said she wasn’t always worried. We talked about all the wonderful things people are doing to help the people of Christchurch. New Zealanders have BIG hearts and are very open, friendly people. It wasn’t just the land that attracted me to Aotearoa. The people have hearts of gold and genuinely care about one another.
The recent events of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch have naturally made me a little more fearful of the fact that Wellington is ‘overdue’ a major earthquake. Yes, I admit to getting online and looking at properties in the UK with the thought of, ‘Could we relocate? Should we?’.
But then, this week, I’ve seen my children happy at school, spending their after school time running barefoot and free on the sand, walking safely to and from school in the heart of a a community that really cares. None of us can anticipate what life will throw at us. I know it sounds flippant, in the face of the recent tragedy, but perhaps it is even more important than ever to really live life fully.
Many people have lost their lives, babies are among the dead. I look today at my children’s faces and when they test me or drive me to frustration I stop myself short and think, ‘What if?’.
This week I have been in awe of the way New Zealanders have banded together as a country to give, with so many ‘Stories of Kindness‘. I have faith in this country and no matter where my life journey takes me a part of my Aroha will always lie in Aotearoa.
To help see links here:
NZ Ministry of Civil Defence – includes information on making a donation, giving blood and the Government ‘Hotline’ number.
Christchurch Earthquake Support on Trade Me – Emergency accommodation, transport, lost & found pets, volunteer labour
Wellington
Cafe L’affare opening on Sunday 27 February – ALL PROCEEDS to Christchurch Earthquake Appeal
Welly Walks the Walk for Christchurch – 26 March
Related posts
November 22, 2016 A week of earthquakes, floods and wind
July 23, 2013 Prose for Thought | In Transition – Preparing for an international move (whilst the ground shakes beneath us!)
March 26, 2011 Welly Walks the Walk for Christchurch!
March 1, 2011 Two minutes silence for Christchurch today
February 27, 2011 Into the School Groove
February 22, 2011 In total shock
Beautiful post Sarah. I dissolved into tears when I heard of those two precious babies taken by this tragic act of nature. Definitely hugging my little ones closer tonight.
What a wonderful answer to your daughter’s question. Watching the news with all the dreadful images and heartbreaking stories, I hold my children ever tighter. Life changes in a moment. Seeing the nation come together like this is so amazing, even in the midst of tragedy.
Beautifully written Sarah X
Well done.you!…you have answered Charlotte’s question in such an honest and beautiful way.
Been thinking about you Sarah, Dan and the kiddies. I understand what living with the fear of NZ’s geographical volatility feels like. I remember standing at my lounge window in Auckland and counting four or five volcanic cones within view, yet there was always the assurance that with volcanic eruption you had warning and time to leave. I’ve been sitting in my Hampshire home thinking about my desire to be home, especially now when things are so hard, and wondering how safe it is there. Yet, whenever I go into London I always think of the risk of terrorism. I noticed in NZ and Australia the lack of armed police, the freedom to walk and wander, as you say barefoot and free. I believe in destiny also and my faith allows me to believe that I am here for as long as I am supposed to be here. Thank you for writing so beautifully about NZ and for explaining your belief to Charlotte so magically. Much love and big hugs Vx
I concur with all the comments here. A magnificent answer, Sarah. I’m going to repeat that to some young enquiring but anxious minds of my acquaintance.
awww bless you Sarah I LOVE what you said about the what if 🙂 🙂
the generosity of New Zealanders makes me proud to be a kiwi 🙂
cool photos
I do wonder though about your opening sentence to your daughter
is not the USA an older country
yet it has had earthquakes
You have a real gift for writing!
http://www.americarna.com/Events/Americarna-Hutt-City-2011/
I wondered if you knew of the fair that will be on – thought you might like to take the family.
Love Leanne
Oops, yes Jen, of course the USA is so much older geologically speaking and experiences earthquakes. Earthquakes and volcanoes are of course prominent wherever the ‘ring of fire’ lies and the plates of the earth meet. New Zealand will always experience the movement of the earth, whilst it sits on top of two giant plates. It’s incredible the distance the land masses of the earth have travelled in history and how New Zealand has been completely submerged by the ocean and risen again many times over.
Found a great link – http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/geology-overview/1
Thank you Leanne and that fair sounds fabulous! Have a great weekend, love Sarah
I am reading this and feeling like you have seen my thoughts. I am stuck in the “what if” place and trying desparately to get out of it.
keep well…
Beautifully written Sarah! I must confess that we have thrown around the “should we move back to Australia” scenario ourselves this week – particularly after family members rang and begged us to move back.
Problem is, we would be leaving our kids behind. This is where their lives are, and I will never leave them, so here we stay.
Oops, yes Jen of course! The ‘ring of fire’. The USA is geologically much, much older. I meant the land is alive as much as we are and New Zealand being a young country is a little like a child – in that its land is growing and changing all the time with dramatic changes to the landscape. It always will be vulnerable positioned where it is in the middle of two great plates; unless of course it floats away to a safer spot on the earth’s surface! It sure has moved a lot in the past. x