HawaiianSon (hawaiianson) wrote, @ 2006-02-03 01:34:00

She called, so I went.

This past Friday, I spent a part of the morning picking up red and white wine and beer for the Hawaiian Society of Law and Politics general membership meeting.  While I was at the store, I was called for a visit and I knew I had to go. 


 


It's been a while since I visited her, but I had to.


It's a shame that I had waited so long,


to visit this someone who loved me unconditionally,


this someone who inspired me


this someone who, when I was sick


she gave up her bed and took care of me.


 


Saturday,


the day after,


would be her birthday.


She knew


I was going to be busy.


So she wanted me to visit


her on Friday. 


Before leaving the store,


I picked up for her a bouquet


of flowers.


 


She welcomed me


when I sat on her grass,


overwhelming me


with pure happiness.


Reminding me,


she's here for me.


Letting me know everything will be alright.


 


I miss you grandma


and I love you too. 


Althought I'm busy,


I can't help but think of you.


I thank you


for the sacrifices you made,


and I know you're


around me every day.


 


She reminded me


to call my grandpa,


my uncle Kimo and Uncle Hammy too,


to see how they've been.


and I will grandma.


 


A misty rain began


to fall on me in Punchbowl.


She thanked me for coming


knowing I had things to do 


I could now go. 


"Grandma, there's a few things


I want to tell you


, well you already know.


But I miss you,


I miss kissing you on the cheek


goodbye and hello


and trying to comfort you at Tripler


when you went for chemo."


 


"I miss you grandma.


Happy Birthday and I hope you like the flowers." 


 


I stood up and began to walk to my truck.  I could hear her start to give me scoldings when I almost turned my back to her.


We have an interesting understanding that while I'm on her grass and leaving, I don't turn my back to her.  It's been so long since I made a visit that I almost forgot.  I can walk sideways or backwards when leaving and on the grass.  But until I reach the pavement, I don't walk forward.  She also insists that I walk along and above the headstones so as to not disrespect the other dead, surrounding her, by walking over their bodies.


 


Not that I was trying to hide it from her, but when I got inside my truck,


she made sure to let me know that she wanted some of my ahi poke I bought at the store. 


"Grandma, you and I both know you can't physically eat it and you know this isn't aku.  You're with God now so I'll give you a piece because the essence of this offering will be yours, the substance of this offering will stay with us.  This, we know, is the right thing to do." 


 


I got out of my truck and walked back to her headstone and quickly contemplated if I should put the poke in the bronze flower vase or on the ground.  She let me know that she didn't like her poke with water.  I smiled, wanting to laugh.  "Who does, Grandma? But there are birds and ants around and I don't want them coming near you too soon to take this away."  She let me know that it'd be alright.  So I placed it on the grass close to her headstone.  I walked backwards, than sidewards and once I made it to the road, it was okay to turn my back and walked forward. 


 


My grandma was a magnificent woman with a calm, loving spirit. 

She called, so I went (Anonymous) 2006-02-09 01:28 (link)

Yes indeed Derek, your Grandmother was a very magnificent Woman. I too, loved her dearly and I am so glad that with all you have going on and inspite of how busy you are, you have always made time, and still (do) take the time to Acknowledge, to Honor, to Look back, to Visit your Ka 'Ohana. You always make the effort Derek. Mahalo Piha e Ku'u Kamakane. I truly believe that all your na Kupana, whether here or gone, look very favorably upon you as do your Mother and I. At the time of this entry, you are in Seattle for the Moot Trial at the UW. Good luck to you and your team in the coming days, sleep well tonight. Maika'i Po e Ku'u Kamakane, Moe maika'i. God Bless. Aloha no kaua ia 'oe, Mama a me Papa. O.I.H. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	This was so touching (Anonymous) 2006-02-18 01:44 (link)
	Derek, This entry was so touching! -Neida (Reply to this) (Thread)

She called, so I went (Anonymous) 2006-03-18 12:17 (link)

Derek, My Son Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart and all my love for sharing your special visit with your grandma, my mother. I miss her too and always tell her I love her and miss her and ask KeAkua to please take good care of her, hold her close and Bless her. I know she is always watching over you and you know when Tippany sent me those pictures of Tehani, filled with laughter, and awed look I know Grandma was playing with her. I hope you don't mind if I print it out and send it to your Uncle Biggie, I would like to share it with him, I would like to share the warmth and love received in reading of your special visit and moment. Mahalo again, my son and we are so very proud of you. God Bless you and Be with you Always Love, Mom (Reply to this) (Thread)