...of mice and men

I composed this post as I was flying back from the mainland.  

I am leaving Oregon for the third time in 5 months.  On this trip though things changed.  Our family is forever changed.  And now the time has come to move forward.  Funny how things go.  What I am doing today is not what I thought I would be doing, but then again, do we really know what we will be doing today, or tomorrow, or next week? 

During my stay, I had time to reflect and take stock of where I am in life.  And while it is true that I am not where I thought I would be in this adventure in regards to being established here on the island, we are still nonetheless, here…in Hawaii.   And that is saying something,  It says that even though our adventure took some difficult turns, we are still here, still persevering.

And isn’t that a part of any adventure?  Perseverance.  Facing challenges as they arise and coming out the other side.  True, we may come out a bit worse for wear.  Or perhaps if we’re lucky, a bit wiser.  And maybe, just maybe, if we are truly in the spirit of it all, we come out a bit more grateful for the experience.

For better or worse things have changed, but in the end, the grand adventure of life still remains…     

Take care and enjoy,
-Mahalo

Aloha ‘Oe...

Life as a blur

I apologize for the lack of posts here lately.  I have been (and still am) on the mainland helping to care for family.

Be it for better or worse, life goes on, even in paradise.  But one thing that remains true no matter where you are is that life is what we make it.  I received a very somber reminder of that fact when I was witness to a family being told that their loved one would not make it through a long and complicated medical bout.  Later that day while in line at the hospital cafeteria, a clerk cheerfully asked the man in front of me how his day was going and he replied in a rather dour tone "it's just another day."  I thought about the family and their mother, and that for them it was anything but 'just another day.'  As it turned out, she did make it through and is now progressing with promise, but the juxtaposition of those taking life for granted and those pouring their entire soul into making it through one more day will forever serve as catalyst to continue to live life fully and with gratitude.

And through this arduous time I have discovered that although Hawaii is where Gail and I live and call home, we have come to realize that home per se is not limited to a physical location, but rather, it is where your heart is.  The love and support that we have been so privileged to experience has expanded our view to know that in any one moment, in any one place, we can experience home.

As always, take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

The Office

Just one of the many perks of Island Life…!

In the clouds

Last Thursday afternoon my phone rang...

Gail: Where are you at?
Me: Waimea Bay.  What's up?
Gail: Dave says he'll take you flying.
Me: What?!  No way!
Gail: Yes!  Meet him at Dillingham Airfield in 25 minutes.
Me: OK, I'm on my way.  Thanks!!!

Dave is a skydiving and glider pilot here on the North Shore.  We met him when we first arrived through Melissa and Scott, and since then we have bumped into him on occasion and he always offers to take us flying.  Well, on Thursday he was at the ice cream parlor that Gail works at (Scoop of Paradise), he said it was going to be a great sunset and he would take me up.  Needless to say, I was stoked!

As I drove up to the hangers he was standing by his plane, ready to go.  Now, Dave is young - some might say maybe a bit too young - but he takes flying very seriously and he is an extremely aware pilot.  Having said that, he does retain a healthy dose of youthful exuberance, which became evident in choosing to fly with no door...and barefoot.  Come to think of it, maybe his youthful slant didn't play as much of a part in these seemingly dicey choices of operation as one would think, but rather, perhaps it was just a perfectly normal matter of flying Hawaiian style...

Dave's pride and joy is his 1947 Aeronca Champ.  The Champ is remarkably light as the fuselage and wings are made with wood spars and formers, covered in fabric.  The plane is more than adequately nibble, and is also very quick to become airborne (much to my surprise!).  Once we were in the air it was squirrely, not in a bad way mind you, but in a 'I am letting go of the safety bar and throwing my hands in the air' roller coaster kind of way.  I mean after all, there was the vintage 1947-esque single-strap seat belt (cinched ever so tight) to help quell any anxious moments that may have crept up while doing insanely steep bank turns a mere 800 feet above the crashing surf below.

A friend of Dave's, who was piloting a 1938 Piper Cub, was already in the air so we joined him and began flying in formation.  We did flybys of the airfield, took turns leading and trading places, and we even did a touch and go (or 'bump' as Dave more accurately called it).

The flight was epic and filled with elements that make for a grand adventure: magnificent beauty, feats of daring, lapses of uncertainty, and the most anticipated of all, the perfect three-point landing.

Despite sporadic bouts of silent profanity-laced exclamations and repeated vows to reform, the flight was very freeing and serene.  And to be honest, after all was said and done, I have to say that more than a small part of me wanted to go right back up and do it again.

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo

Distractions

 I was talking on the phone with our daughter, Theresa, this evening when I got sidetracked by this beautiful sunset.  I broke away from our discussion so that I can take this picture (from our lanai).  

Moments like this are but just one of the many (and I do mean many) welcomed distractions here...

Thanks for being so understanding, T.

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo  

Into the Mystic

...Smell the sea and feel the sky

Let your soul and spirit fly, into the mystic...

by Van Morrison

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

A new day and a new place to call home

Gail and I just made our 4th move in as many months, but we're very excited to say that this one is going to be home for the next year. 

I'll be writing more about our new place and the neighborhood, but the sun is beginning to set and we don't want to miss it!

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo

Keep on keepin' on

Every morning when we wake up it takes a bit for us to realize where we are and what we are doing here.  I guess moving after living in one place for nearly twenty five years will do that to you.  

My new wake-up routine reminds me of the end of the movie, 50 First Dates, in that I replay a mental video of recent events to get me up to speed as to why I am in a strange bed, in a strange room, in a strange house, in a…well, you get the picture.

It is good to go through the cognitive gymnastics and replay the myriad of decisions and actions that have brought us here.  It gives pause for reflection and allows for a moment of gratitude.  And, it also provides clarity and affirmation that this is where we are supposed to be.

Which isn't to say that life here isn't without its struggles, sacrifices, or acute moments of pining for our kids, our family, and our friends.  But, it is the life we have chosen and we owe it to ourselves to work diligently towards making every day a good one.

I'm not going to say that it has always been easy, but in some ways, being here does make it easier.  At the very least, for me, the recovery rate of going from a downcast mood to happy one is much quicker here.  Maybe it is the immense beauty that envelops us.  Or the authentic happiness that we see reflected in people's faces everyday.  Or maybe, it is the feel of the warmth on our skin, the deep blue of the sky, and brightness of the sun in our eyes.  

But for whatever the reason, I know that being here makes us feel good about...being here.  And that gives us heart in living this extraordinary adventure.

Take care and enjoy, 
- Mahalo

Out and about in Haleiwa

Last night, Gail and I attended a local happening in Haleiwa.  It was an art walk of sorts, and our favorite local band/musicians, Ron Artis, and his brother, Thunderstorm, were playing an acoustic set, so we went to hang out and enjoy the evening.

The event took place at Haleiwa Joe's, a very popular restaurant in town that overlooks the harbor.  The vibe was chill with a painting class going on, live music, and works of various artists on display.  The weather was mild and seem to fit the mood while people milled around on the lawn, took in the art work, and enjoyed the view.  

Gatherings like this is but one of the many wonderful things that contributes to this North Shore town's famous 'hang loose' character and charm.  Of course, beautiful vistas, the world's best surf, and genuinely welcoming folks doesn't hurt either…

Take care and enjoy,
- Mahalo