The First time is always the hardest

and this was sort of a first time

sort of because, I had made many visits to the Mission Rehab Facility last summer.    Visits with my neighbor friend, late at night. We talked about when she was growing up in Scotland and when she met her hubby and lots of memories.   Those were special nights for me, learning more about my friend, and special nights for her because the nights were long. She has no family in the US.

So, the visit to Mission Rehab today, was a first because the patient was another friend.   His wife has been a customer for about 5 years and when I come to their house, he always joins in the conversation. So, now we are friends.    

But when someone is in great pain, someone you care about, it is not easy to make visits and conversation is hard.

I decided to tell his wife that if there was an empty spot in the parking lot, I would pay him a visit.   She said the parking lot is always full. She often waits until late evening when the lot is 1/2 empty.    Well, I said " I will pray for a parking spot and if there is one for me, I will go in."


Three empty spots.

I went inside, signed in, and headed up to his room.    He is almost blind, so I asked him if he recognized my voice and " I have some chocolates for you"      

He smiled and said  " Your voice sounds like Avon "

I did not stay long.  He is very tired and the future is too hard for him to think about.   Along with his blindness, he has had heart troubles and now,  he has lost part of his left leg.  

Hard to know what to say.  He told me a friend came earlier and prayed for him.   
Good to know he has other friends who know where the best support comes from.  


Praying tonight
And you can pray too. 

Chinese Moon Festival

A Special Time of Year

Friday, off to Lahaina
 
                       90 ° and a bit muggy....

Crafts - Paper Lantern Making,  Seed planting,
Keiki workshops
(that means for kids ) 

Moon Cakes for sale 

                                     ( the following night ↓  )

Saturday night tea party
in the cool of our condo 

OK, Life is not perfect

Life is not perfect, even in Hawaii 




Tomorrow is another day, but last night well it was a night
Most days do end with nights, and this day ended with a surprise

You see  you look forward to food ,
good food
even special food, when you are on vacation

So, we checked out the menu of this place we were going to and 
 Great... 
desserts... bananas foster! Wow! 
That would be worth a small appetizer and save room for a flaming dessert.
 We are on vacation let's celebrate.
(daughter describes a Bananas Foster that she had at the Metropolitan Grill. She said it was amazing and she is not fond of bananas )

Cream potato soup was served very nice and tasted great.

Found out all the desserts would be coming together. soon

The men were served their bread pudding and ice cream sundae
Then came mine.
My camera was ready and

a dish of ice cream?

with some cooked bananas , nuts and syrup?

I sat for a minute or two
expressionless
Surely they would come back with the fire.
He came back with spoons,
many spoons.

I said " it is not flaming?"
No, he said, that is not permitted.
No flames allowed.
No apology.

Daughter said  "Mom, get over it "
I leaned over and whispered " I am not fond of cooked bananas"
Daughter : could not handle that...the laughter exploded.

 Little man and daughter have been  playing a magic game
Put a napkin over a crayon and take away the napkin...no crayon

Grampy  and Dad decide  to get in the act.
Hold the napkin up and Grampy disappears
.
.

Under the table, growling, and popping up on the other side.



Only daughter notices the other guests who are also noticing and
thankful it is time to make our exit.

she is not sure whether to laugh or cry, but the laughter wins

If you are not laughing yet, it is ok
sometimes you just have to be there.


On the other hand, 
it might be a little too exciting to dine with our family.


So that was the day that started with Grammy trying to walk through a glass door
 ( but I don't want to talk about it )

never get tired

This is early morning moon setting 

Final sunset 



Beyond the Sunset, no clouds will gather
no storms will threaten
no fear alarm...


Back home
much to be thankful for. 

flowers

Flowers and other green growing things 

The Leaning Tree

Tree Fan

Aloha part two

aloha,
that means hello and goodbye.
and for two weeks we said that many times
My expectations were simply to be with my family and get to know them better
and I did
Little man loves the water.   He never  seemed to tire of just playing in the surf with his Mama.
And I never tired watching.  The two of them laughing and swimming and laughing and ...you get the picture.

We did enjoy a lot of good food. My favorites.. coconut shrimp, crab cakes, mud pie.

 Then there were the almost nightly trips to Maui Gelato.  The shop is closed on Sundays. I asked one of the owners if they went to church on Sunday. Well, we used to.
Then on Sunday, we saw one of the employees at Carolee's  church !  Chatted and now we are praying that the sisters will remember the best thing to do on Sunday.

This is Marlo. She and her sister Shannon are the owners 

Marlo and our little man became good friends 

So along with food and beach time, we  made some other great memories

The first has to be... little man on a paddle board with our friend Dave ( Sunday School friend to my kids )   In the process of getting the board and paddle ready ( and managing the shop )  Dave came out ready to roll and little man was without a life jacket.   But that was unobserved until they were out to sea...  out to see turtles and what an experience for a 4 year old little guy.  He got off the board and swam with the turtles ( unaware that he was in 30 foot ocean depth.   He had a great time and I have to believe that in the years to come he will say " was I really that brave?"
Later in the week the two ( Dave and little man ) did some evening surfing. Little man was on his own for a couple rides.

Another great memory was connecting with Carolee.  Our families have been good friends for years, 

especially her Mom. She was a very dear friend of mine.

Carolee took us to her church on Sunday.  It was a very special time.

Then there was the final Friday night.  Surf Side Cafe.

That is coming.  a very special night.