21 July 2008

It’s a beautiful day in the middle of winter, here in New Zealand. I’m driving back to Palmy from meeting the Consulate - General of Sweden. I can see Kapiti Island from the highway on this clear cloudless day so I pull off the first chance I get.

I take my shoes off before I even get out of the car. I walk across the rocky car park and stand on the broken concrete stairs. I notice an older man further back on the beach, apparently collecting sand. I carefully make my way down to the rocks amidst the sea.

“It’s all yours” says the old man who is now right behind me. He is a genuine Kiwi in his wool sweater and cap. I think he’s referring to the empty beach but his tone means so much more. Next he says “I don’t need to tell you this…” at that moment I thought he was going to tell me something about the afternoon tide but then his old and gentle eyes look into mine and he continues “...make the most of it while you are still so young. The time goes by faster than you think.” 

I say “thank you” and quickly turn my head to look out at the sea as the tears roll down my face. I turn back around and the old man has packed up his sand and disappeared. I sit down on the jagged rocks and watch the waves crashing right before my eyes, wishing I had brought my camera to capture this beautiful view.

But a camera would not have been able to capture this brief and oh-so-meaningful and touching experience I had with the old Kiwi man and the sea.

Today is my 30th birthday.