Earthquakes, Gifts and more photos (of course)

Piha Beach, west of Auckland. 2 April

Sunday night, the last of March, and I am stretched on the couch, tissue box at the ready as I am nursing a cold, considering all that has transpired since my last blog entry, “Swim for  Christchurch.”  In the intervening weeks, the tragedy of another earthquake underscored the distance between me and my sons.  The earthquake in Japan occurred on Caleb’s 23^rd birthday. It was a perfect evening, starlit and warm.  I had just finished watching a free movie in the park with Brandon on Auckland’s North Shore, when the announcement came over the loudspeaker that a major earthquake hit Japan and we should go home and turn on the TV.  Dread spread over me as I thought of my son, Caleb, in Ichinomiya, west of Tokyo.  I had no idea where the quake had hit, nor its magnitude.  Thankfully, I was able to use my phone to check the NY Times headlines.  Within minutes, I knew its location and the severity, but had no concept as to the degree of destruction.  Over the next few hours, I was to learn that  Nagoya and Ichinomiya were spared any major damage and surmised Caleb was safe.  It was to be several days before I was able to connect with him.

Effects of  jet lag and lunch on Caleb, day 2 in Auckland.  Mt. Eden Reserve.

I was given a gift that day.  After fearing the worst, I learned he was safe.  It was not the case for many others. In the moment that I learned of the quake and thought of the possibility of losing my son, I felt the pain and anguish of a nation of mothers. I was given the gift of relief, of freedom from grief & suffering.  I would watch, later, with horror at the devastation the tsunami wrought.  The earthquakes have provided me a window into communities and individuals in the face of devastation. In adversity, both in Christchurch and in Japan, people came together, bound by a common experience, to help each other in this time of crisis.  Here, thousands of fund raisers, from  schools to businesses, to music festivals have dedicated  money for Christchurch survivors.  Millions have been raised. Funds have provided food, shelter and  income for folks who have lost work and businesses.   In Tokyo, a city on scheduled blackouts, people are committed to staying in the city, devoted to their country and determined to not only survive but thrive.  Here in Auckland, Japanese families stand on street corners asking for donations, while in the US, Ichiro donates a small fortune.  It has been a gift to witness folks put down their differences and find their commonality, regain their strength, compassion and altruism.

                                                One of the Herne Bay swim beaches, this one with a community boathouse aka Marine Parade Reserve: my usual venue for a swim is a block from my house.  Now nearly free from glass (thanks Brandon).

The events surrounding the nuclear disaster at the Daichii nuclear plant concerned me, but I was mollified for a time.  When the third explosion occurred, the truth of the nuclear disaster was unveiled to the western world.  My fears mounted.  My sister, Kate, encouraged me to get Caleb out of Japan.  I called Caleb to beseech him to come home.  It was not until his father joined my appeal via Skype that Caleb said he would consider leaving Japan.  Three days later, he landed in Auckland, his right arm injured from an Australian rules football game, but otherwise intact.  (Later, I would find out he had fractured his radius.  Despite this injury, he managed to haul his suitcases through three airports on his way to Auckland).

View of Mt Eden's crater with east Auckland  in the distance taken with Caleb by my side.

Fractured femur, surgery, lengthy recovery, medical bills (Morgan), earthquake, tsunami, nuclear disaster and a fractured right radial head (Caleb),at times  I have felt my year in Auckland has been some kind of a trial by fire.   Mother to adult men with some of the most difficult times of their young lives.  Both men now in that wonderful, yet stressful time in their lives when they have so many options at their feet as they choose the next path to travel.  Odd, that in many ways, my life mirrors theirs.  Here I am in Auckland about to embark on the eighth month of this adventure. I am not yet sure of what this experiment will mean to NZ in the long run or how it will change my life.  I am reminded that happiness is not so much about where I am, but how I have chosen to participate in where I am.

Brandon on a bike ride in Silverdale, outside Auckland

As March drew to a close, Brandon’s kiwi adventure finished with a flight back to Christchurch, Sydney, LA and home, with one bag lost someplace between here and there. The following weekend, Caleb and I ventured to Mount Maunganui three hours south of Auckland.

Mt Maunganui still visible despite the rain.

I swam in another open water event there, while Caleb hiked to the top of the mount for which the town is named.  We then sought out Hobbiton, the set of the Hobbit movie, and took many pictures we have sworn not to publish on blogs etc.  It was my second trip, having visited in February with Brandon as well.  It was well worth both visits even for those who are only fans (“fanatics” has been redefined by some of the tales of visitors to Hobbiton. Ex: One couple: the English speaking gentleman translated the tour guides' shpeel for his non-English speaking partner, not into their native language, but  into elvish!!!).

The 118 swimmers for the 1k swim.  627 swimmers completed the 2.8k course later.  Note the brilliant surf life saving crew on surf boards (most of them are on these) an boats that support the swimmers and keep us safe.

The stress of the past month and the start of the flu season here in NZ has left me with a cold, fatigued, yet sleepless on the couch, contemplating another work week ahead.  Fortunate, though, to have two boys alive and well, supportive family and friends without whom I would not have weathered these challenges as well.  Heartfelt thanks.

White beach: secluded beach as seen from the headlands Te Waha. White's beach is named after Francis White, the blacksmith who purchased the land from Te Kawerau a Maki.

West Auckland Coastline: view on my walk  on 2April with Caleb  and Greg Garbarino (Whidbey Islander visiting NZ).