Yesterday my eldest child and I went on an adventure. We call it an adventure, others may call it a day out, either or, it was a good day.

We weren’t really sure what we were going to do, but we knew we wanted to go to a beach on the North Coast. We couldn’t decide which one. We were also hungry, so we went for one that had a restaurant on it. A really good restaurant too. That is where we started, but we didn’t stay there too long as more adventure was calling.

My eldest climate child is no longer a child in the eyes of the law and society, but for me they will always be my child, my baby. And yesterday affirmed for me what many ancestors and elders have said before; that life moves fast, time flies by, blink and you’ll miss it. All we ever really have is the here and now.

The here and now climate child: how do you feel about the here and now?

I like to ask my children about their favourite parts of the day. The things that they enjoyed the most and I often can sense their responses before they utter a word. We are all creatures of habit. One child gets annoyed with my question and initially responds with “I don’t know Mum!” and the other likes to consider the question and answer it methodically. I love the fact they are so different and so funny in their uniqueness and responses.

I often struggle to answer my own question. But I ask because I believe it helps to consider experiences and think about what we like and enjoy and why. I think this is important for living a good life and being true to yourself.

On the car journey back I asked, “What was your favourite part of today?” and they answered, “I think it was White Rocks.” And then they said, “What about you?” I said “ I think it was when we first put our feet in the water at the wee harbour, that first connection with the sea was so lovely.” 

Our favourite experiences had been spontaneous choices and in places we hadn’t planned to visit when we first set out. I had actually forgotten about the wee harbour, and we had driven past white rocks twice earlier in the day before returning after changing our minds and wanting to visit.

Our day had been full of tasty food (tacos and fish and chips), harbours (two), beaches (many), ice cream truck treats (2), heart shaped stone findings (5), paddling and chatting. We covered many miles and the weather changed as the day evolved.

We were existing in the moment, but the past was with us too. We were reminded of sand dune running, funny dog photos taken years before on the same stretch. It was when looking at these spaces and spending time in the awesome North Coast that I became infinitely aware of how fleeting life, time and existence is. These sand dunes, coastlines and rocks have been here for thousands and thousands of years and we are here for a blink. These spaces have seen generations and generations of children and people paddling, playing on the dunes and listening to the waves and before we know it we will be gone too. Yet the dunes and the rocks will remain…

It made me think about how I wanted to live and how I wanted to exist in this space, on this planet, at this time of increasing global and climate fragility. And my conclusion was that I wanted to live gracefully, playfully, respectfully, peacefully and gently.

I often ask nature for signs, and she always delivers if I am willing to listen to her. I love listening to her.

The sign was when I was paddling at White Rocks, our final destination. I was several meters in and the waves were rolling in, not too boisterous, but good for surfing ( I can’t surf). I was tentative, not scared, but cautious. And was considering if I wanted to go full on in or just enjoy paddling, listening, observing and enjoying the beauty. In years gone by I would have gone in without a second thought, but today I choose differently.

That was my sign.

I can deal with the waves of life and my future like this. I don’t have to go full force into everything; I can handle it like this.

I took photos, I touched the sea, I could feel the strength and when it came to me it was softer, less forceful and I could witness it, describe it, photograph it and enjoy it.

That is what I am here to do. And that is what I will love doing for the blink of time I am here to play on this planet.

Nature will always guide you home. She will give you beautiful signs. If you let her. Try and let her guide you climate child.