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JUST WANTED TO RECOMMEND THIS BOOK BY RICHARD PAUL EVANS CALLED "THE CHRISTMAS BOX" FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A QUICK HOLIDAY READ. IT'S VERY SHORT AND SWEET, AND A GOOD REMINDER FOR US ALL OF HOW WE SHOULD CELEBRATE DAILY THE TRUE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS.
8 Favorite TV SHOWS: Intervention, Take Home Chef, Closed Case, Diners Drive Inns & Dives, Conan O’Brien, A Baby Story, Jon&Kate+8, Little People Big World
8 Favorite RESTAURANTS: Papa Ole’s, Hukilau Café, Chili’s, Red Lobster, Spaghettini’s, Rosie’s (just for the fried ice cream & chips/salsa), Shrimp Shack in Kahuku (not Giovannis, the other one by Texaco), Pandas
8 Things on my WISH LIST: good weather on Halloween, visit family in Utah (buddy passes anyone?), a million dollars, for this election to be over with, my own home, trip to Disneyland, my family’s continued health & safety, move outta Hawaii!
8 Things I LOVE about FALL: new school year, cooler weather, football season, closer to Christmas, rainy (koko & bread) days, summer clothes go on sale, shorter days/longer nights, less tourists
Lole had a false cavity scare yesterday, which turned out to be just ANOTHER tooth defect according to the dentist. WHEW! This is the 2nd time this year, and although I am grateful she doesn’t have any cavities, what is up with this DEFECT deal? At least I know she LOVES going to the dentist, look at that smile!
I don’t like FA’ALAVELAVE’s and we usually never go ‘coz Bo is somewhat anti-social when it comes to his family. Yesterday we found out that my mother-in-law’s uncle passed away on her Palepale family side, and for some reason or other, Bo actually wanted to go. I murmured silently and aloud, trying to get my husband to realize how tired he was from work to convince him we shouldn’t. I even uttered that this was going to be a waste of time, and that we don’t even REALLY KNOW the dude who died (actually he knew him a little, I didn’t at all). Bo never responded defensively and instead gave me the option to stay home. I reluctantly agreed to go and as we were getting ready, Lole asked me where we were headed. (I’ve taken her to Mormon services at the chapel before but never to a Tongan putu of another faith.) I explained to her that we were going to a funeral because someone in grandma’s family died. It surprised me to hear the sadness in her response and to see the sincerity in her face as she said ever so sweetly, “Aw…BUT, I LOVE THEM!”
Selfishness is unbecoming of a Latter Day Saint, if I am so worthy to call myself such, and so is taking without ever giving or reaching out to those in need of comfort and support. Even though it was more like a (very small) hand in the kitchen as my mom-in-law prepared food, driving her to and from Kalihi and repectful smiles/hugs to her grieving family, my shame (for complaining earlier) dissipated in the end. Such is the calling of a Christ-like people: to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that need comfort and to bear one another’s burdens that they may be light...WILLINGLY and WITHOUT RESERVE simply because YOU LOVE THEM.
Thank you Lole for this reminder!