Aloha Means Love

"Aloha" also means hello and good-bye. What a wonderful almost first week it has been here in paradise. My grandbaby Keoni is the sweetest little guy. He really never cries. All you have to do is look at him and breaks into the biggest brightest smile! He is pure love and pure joy. He talks all the time and it is so fun to listen to him jabber. I think he comes by it honestly. My Keawe is still as sweet as ever too. My daughter really lucked out getting two sweet, calm, happy sons in a row. She should probably not risk having another child cuz there is no way she can be lucky three times. Although it would be good for her to get a gnarly little girl baby. haha. Life is good and even though I miss Steve, Miranda, Maile and Koa I am having a wonderful time here. Live aloha!

Life Is Short And So Random Sometimes

So make the best of the time you have...that is one of Cory's best lessons. You never know when your life will end or be severely impacted. We are all one heartbeat away from the end of our lives that much is clear. I have had dinner with several of my dear friends this week and each one is having serious concerns about her parents' health and quality of life. Two other friends of mine each had a parent cross over the bridge. So much sadness even though both had lived pretty long lives. Then, I found out that another friend who is only 40 is suffering from a brain bleed---how random is that? No one knows how or why it started bleeding and are struggling with what to do about it. More evidence that we must live each day the best we can and be our best selves. Live with a grateful heart!

Life Changes For the Good!

Life changes are in the air! Big ones at that... Have you ever just had such a strong "knowing" inside? Might be intuition...might be caused by indigestion...who knows? But, I often get that sense of knowing that something is going to happen and it does. Or that I am not fitting in or I feel fear creeping up my spine for what appears to be no reason. And then something major hits me in the face! Well, I have felt restless for a number of years...the sense that I should no longer be living in the cold, dark, dreary, depressing Pacific Northwest. I talked to my better half about it and at one point we considered Wilmington North Carolina but that went by the wayside. Then, on vacation before we had even left the freakin' airport my sweet husband thought the Big Island of Hawaii was the place for us. Well, that changed again because my daughter moved with our grandson to Maui. So, that is now the place. Especially since she brought a new little grandson into the world recently. Life changes for her...and now for the whole family. Aloha Seattle on September 19th...

Legacy means "a gift..." handed down

I am just wrapping up the documentary I entitled, "The Greatest Choir Ever." It is about a legacy choir in Wichita Falls, Texas. The true gift is the gentleman who is conducting the choir. OMG! Donald B. Cowan is the man! I have been so inspired by his presence. I feel so blessed that I was chosen to write and produce the story about this choir - the lovely people who make up the choir and all to honor Mr. Cowan for his love, support, encouragement, mentorship, etc. What a beautiful story. I wish you all could see it after it is completed. What a gift.

Life is Scary Sometimes

Watching the news about the rioting and violence happening in England and it scares the crap outta me. My youngest is heading over that way in less than two weeks and I am praying that this nonsense doesn't spread to other parts of Europe...except for maybe in a small village in Northern France :) that is a emoticon that should look evil but I don't know how to do it. haha
Anyway, I got distracted. What is our world coming to? As a former news gatherer it pains me to read the papers, watch the television newscasts and now the on-line news. Why can't people just be kind to each other? My son and I had this discussion the night before he died. As a young child he even questioned why so much war, murder, violence, destruction, etc. in our midst? I couldn't give him an answer then, and I certainly am at a loss now. It is all just too sad.

Barnes and Noble Lahaina and It's a Small World!

I got so carried away describing my grandsons that I failed to give you all an update on my book signing at Barnes and Noble. What a great day it was! Again, I met such lovely people. The staff (s awesome)and all of the locals and those on vacation. The funniest was three people stopped by and one woman picked up my book. She said it looked familiar. So, we all started chatting and upon examining the back cover her friend said, "you live in West Seattle? So do I!" Haha we live about two miles away from each other on the same street! So, we determined that the first friend had seen my book in the West Seattle Herald when it was first published. Small world. The GM there told me that I could come back any time and sign books! Such an example of aloha spirit.

The Face of God

Aloha, I just got back from two weeks on Maui where I was able to travel with my cousin John and his wife Jeannie. We had a great time. They only stayed the first week. Then, Keili flew over from Oahu in time for my birthday celebration. It was wonderful...but the absolute highlight of my trip was spending time with my two BEAUTIFUL grandsons. Keawe is so tall and skinny now. He has really changed so much just in a few months. He plied me with kisses and hugs every day. The baby Keoni is so sweet and peacefilled. Looking in to his little face is like seeing the face of God. He doesn't fuss or cry unless he is in need of sustenance or a diaper change. What an angel baby! By the time Keili and I left he was starting to smile and coo. Such a treat! I cannot wait until I can get over there full time. It's in the works so please pray for us that we can get our house sold and get moved over there before too much longer. Aloha!