Perfectly Made as You Are

Perfectly made as you are
Do not hide your colors
They are a flag for the fallen
A beacon for the beaten
A signal for the saddened
Uplifting those who are weighted
With the grief of living
Do not hide

Fears quietly allayed due to who you are
There is no need to shout
A voice for the silent
A song for the suppressed
A scream for the downtrodden
Calling up those who are plaited
With the strife of living
Do not shout

In the heat you are the shade, the cold star
Do not dash your cares
A trade for the tormented
A tirade for the unrelented
You are a plaything for the restless
Entertaining spirits whose human breath is plaited
With the life of living
Do not dash

In all things:
Do not hide
Do not shout
Do not dash
Your existence enables mine
Though you may think little of your import
Because your value I do not exhort
Trust: it's in the quiet, the murk
the slurry of creation
Comfort is thine - and mine

Good Friday, Good Day

     I have been wondering a lot about my faith. I have it. I believe in God. I know there's a powerful presence in the universe, and I believe it is sentient.

   I am a little disappointed in myself, as  I sit here, on Good Friday, with no plans of attending church with my family. I would love to, but I get tired of the arguments. Teenagers. I should just go by myself, and when I do, I feel good that I am there, but I feel sad that I am alone. So to speak. "We are never alone". 

   It is not enough to pray or to believe. I have to be stronger, to be tougher about this. I hope one day, I am.

We Do Not Know When We Are Called

My Uncle Henry was laid to rest today, amid songs and stories of how he has affected the lives of so many. His children, my loving cousins, did an amazing job, coordinating with other family members, to send Uncle Henry to heaven in the most thoughtful, loving way, filled with joy and laughter.

In fact, at the interment, songs he loved, like "The Rhinestone Cowboy", were played, with some chuckles and tears.

Some of the stories that were shared were so hilarious at the services, that, although I had prepared a statement about my own love for Uncle Henry, I thought the somber tone of my words would draw away from the much appreciated joy being shared. Therefore, now that the services are over, I thought I would share them here, for my cousins and family members.

"Henry Polohau Kahula, Jr. was a great man, in stature and spirit. He was father to six, but a father to many more. Throughout his life, he was known to welcome extended family into his home, and they worked equally as hard as his own children, with housework, yard work, and felt equally as loved. His majestic voice with its throaty timbre was accompanied by his skilled playing on the guitar. He was passionate about his family and about his community. He sought to right the wrongs he witnessed, and as an educated man, he wrote many eloquent letters to the local paper, as well as running for office himself. Although he did not win a seat, he won the hearts of many, and made his family proud. He brought music, cheer and life to his family and he would have wanted to have been remembered as a man of song, and a man of hope. "

Thank you, Uncle Henry, for reminding us of what true Aloha is about. We love you. Always.

Hug your loved ones often. As Uncle Henry would say, "Everyone is on the list. We just don't know when we will be called."

So, Do Not Fear