When "What's Right" Hurts

There is a black cat that hangs around my house.  The first time I saw her, she was doing her own thing, and I called out to her and she came!  She was very friendly and I grew fond of her; letting her into the house whenever I could.  Later, I noticed that she was pregnant, and I decided that I needed to take care of her.  I, with my husbands permission, took her in.  I was there for her and gave her the protection and care that she needed. 
When the day came for her to give birth, she wanted me right there with her!  She let me in on the whole birthing experience!  5 kittens were born.  1 died the next day and I was heart broken, but the 4 remained strong:  Tigger, Bully, Pa'a, and 'Uli.  They, along with "Mama" (that's what I call the mother cat), became my world!  I couldn't wait to get home to play with them and spend time with the little ones!  It was almost as if they were my own.  I loved them dearly, and things were going alright, for a while.
My husband got sick, and it was made apparent to me that we would not be able to take care of all of them.  My sister-in-law agreed to take in two: Tigger and Bully, but I didn't know what I was going to do with the rest.  My husband suggested to just put the rest of them outside.  Mama was an outside cat for all I knew, and she could help Pa'a and 'Uli.  So we put them outside.
Now our room is void of any furry creatures and it breaks my heart.  I knew we had to do it, but it doesn't make my heart hurt any less.  I feel like I just lost my family...because they were my family.  But I guess I have to be okay and look at the bigger picture.  And hopefully the pain will go away...

Earth Day

So, May 22nd is Earth Day, and I'm really looking forward to this day.  In a way, it's sad that we needed to designate a day so that people can actually remember that there is a whole world out there that needs our attention, but what can I say?  We get busy, and if this is the reminder that we need, than why not?

My hope, though, is that we don't forget that it's "Earth Day" and not "Tree Day."  So many people think that planting a tree is good enough... and I guess when you think about it, planting a tree helps with clean air and providing habitation and all that, but there are other entities in the world that need care too!  Let's take animals for instance: why not go out and adopt a pet.  Give shelter and love to a dog or cat or horse or tiger if you like!  There are so many animals in the world that are in need of care! 

Point is, the Earth is huge, and everything in it needs attention.  Take time to remember those things and do something about it!  Make a difference in this world with just one small act of kindness and love!  If we don't make it our mission to preserve the things in this world that make life beautiful, wonderful, and unique, then we run the risk of losing these precious gifts.

Let's make the most of this day; of this opportunity...and celebrate our Earth!

Me and My Hawaii

Do you know what it feels like to be so attached to the place that you live? I'm not talking about pride... No, this "attachment" runs deeper than pride. It's more like family.

Pocahontas described it best when she sang, "The rainstorm and the river are my brother. The heron and the otter are my friend and we are all connected to eachother in a circle, in a hoop that never ends."

Everything: the wind, the rain, the ocean, the trees, the mountains, the animals; they all speak to you constantly, reminding you of who you are and where you came from and where you can go. The very earth is alive to you and you to it. There is a constant flow of energy between you and that place.

Some people don't know what this feels like. And I think for those people they are always in search of that connection... to find a place that feels like "home". But when they search for "home", what they are really looking for is this "attachment" that I am talking about. They are searching for that place that is their family.

This place for me is Hawaii. Hawaii sings to me like a gentle lullaby from a mother to her child; soothing and assuring. Even when the wind howls, it is calming to me because I know that everything will be alright.

I write this because I need Hawaii to know that no matter where I go in life, that it will always be a part of my very being. This land is my family, and I have loved it my whole existence. Also, there are many who do not understand land attachment. They look at land as an object, and that is okay, but know that there are many who look at land as a living thing... a family member and a part of themselves. If you can't understand that than you can't understand me, and I want you to be able to understand.

To those of you who are lucky enough to stay here in Hawaii, take care and cherish this beloved place of mine. Take advantage of the beauty she gives and the spirit she radiates.  Here is where I began, and from here I take my next steps into the future... Mahalo nui!