NEW ZEALAND 43°18’29.7”S 172°41’57.2”E
“It gave me a fresh perspective on my own life and helped me embrace the idea of old age, finding the beauty in it.”
Nancy’s love story with the water only grew stronger when she moved to Christchurch at the age of 17. She knew she had to live by the sea the first time she saw Sumner Beach—“the most beautiful place she had ever seen,” as she confessed to me. Later on, her little heaven turned out to be only a few minutes walk from her house, where she spent countless years sharing water adventures with her children. They all received a surfboard when they turned 10, but her son Patrick was the one who encouraged her to try surfing. Thanks to him, she took the leap and started surfing in her 40s. Although she never stood up on her board, she loved catching waves on her stomach and riding them all the way back to the shallows. She never looked back, determined to surf for “as long as she could.” Anyone who met Nancy loved her, thanks to her caring nature toward everything and everyone around her, from people to her garden and her cat. Every day, she would even feed rolled oats and fresh veggies to the dozen ducks that had made a home in the creek running through her garden. She hated waste, and her ducks were always hungry, so I laughed when Nancy proudly told me that one day, she got chased by supermarket staff for picking out stale bread from their bin. She also made a significant difference in people’s lives as a teacher and music tutor. Her love for music and the arts kept her “young,” as she confessed to me. She even taught music right up until early 2022. Many local surfers have fond memories of her from the classroom. Nancy Meherne would have turned 93 in August 2022. Sadly, she passed away in July 2022, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration. Experiencing Nancy’s joy and freedom while surfing and how it contributed to her overall well-being and longevity is one of the most impactful lessons I have been fortunate to encounter. It gave me a fresh perspective on my own life and helped me embrace the idea of old age, finding the beauty in it. You really are as old as you feel. Every moment I spent with Nancy was an opportunity to decompress from the noise of our complex societies; she helped me remember life’s simplest things. I wish for her story to inspire many others to pursue their passions and dreams, no matter their age or circumstances. Those she inspired continue to honor her legacy with every wave they ride.
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MOTHER VOLUME TWO
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