Crying and Celebrating

I went to church twice yesterday so I could see the Early Service People and the Late Service People. I cried at both services. At late service, after the service was over, everyone circled up and sang Hawaii Aloha. I was a complete mess during that song. Everyone here knows it, and sings it in friendship and love. HERE is a recording that includes footage of how a crowd responds to the song.

Here are the lyrics:

E Hawai’i e ku’u one hanau e
Ku’u home kulaiwi nei
‘Oli no au i na pono lani ou
E Hawai’i, aloha e

E hau’oli na ‘opio o Hawai’i nei
‘Oli e! ‘Oli e!
Mai na aheahe makani e pa mai nei
Mau ke aloha, no Hawai’i

And here is the translation:

O Hawaii, O sands of my birth
My native home
I rejoice in the blessings of heaven
O Hawaii, aloha.

Happy youth of Hawaii
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Gentle breezes blow
Love always for Hawaii.

“Love always for Hawaii” indeed. I’ve only lived here for five (and a half) years, which doesn’t seem like very long in the grand scheme of things, but I’ll carry this place and its people with me for the rest of my life.

After church was over, there was a reception for me. I was able to say goodbye to many people. It was nice. And I’m sure I’ll be back to visit, so it wasn’t really goodbye, but only “a hui hou” – that is, “until we meet again”. I did quote my dad a few times though, and said: “I’ll see you in heaven if I don’t see you sooner.”

Jordynn prepared a slide show with some pictures of me from school. I just discovered yesterday that Google slide shows can be saved as PDFs. HERE it is.

Josh stood up and said some nice words about me, then gave me a gift from everyone – a cross made of koa wood. The wood from the koa tree is the most beautiful and durable wood on the island. I only learned this past year that koa trees are called acacia trees in other parts of the world. I’ve heard of them before. They’re even mentioned in the Bible! Cool! And the cross is so beautiful! The grain of the wood almost looks like liquid in the sunlight.

In the evening, I cleaned my condo a little, and met with someone who took my guest room beds. I have been amazed by how many things are working out just right as I do this move, and this was one of them. I waited until the last minute to list this bed online, and then ended up connecting with this family who needed it because they were taking in a friend and his son who had recently lost their home. What a blessing!

And then there was a beautiful sunset last night. A perfect end to the day.