Lifetime friends

I feel like this year has been going by so fast I've barely had time to sit and think. It probably has something to do with the fact that we've been to NZ twice for three weeks each time, Kamuela has had several trips for work and has one each month for the rest of the year, and while they're all wonderful blessings for us, they also mean hectic way-too-crazy schedules while he is here. As well as keeping up with the everyday routine and continuing to work on my resolutions, we're all rushing in and out and treasure the times we actually have to be together. 

Some of my resolutions have led to reconnecting with wonderful people in my life who for whatever reason I haven't kept as close contact with as we would like. It's been so great. Writing letters to my whangai family and close friends, seeing relations at my brother's wedding that I haven't seen in 5 years, visiting my old dancing teacher and her studio, and staying a week at in Laie have made me so happy! 

The saying "people come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime" has been on my mind a lot. I can think of people I've met who I have great memories of but don't feel the need to seek them out; I feel like my experience with them is complete and we're good. But there are others I feel I'm being prompted to find again and the reunions are so sweet. I realize that "I" is so much more than the physical and mental me, but is my soul, my relationships, my knowledge, my experiences, and so much more that I have to learn. And I know that these special people are contributing to that "I" and helping me become whole.

Some of these are a couple we met on our last trip home. Toni and Peni Waho preside over a Maori Immersion school that teaches children from infant through high school. They're wellknown and respected amongst language, cultural and educational groups and taught us a lot just in the week we spent with them. We seemed to connect with them straight away and they took such good care of us, and treated us so well, we were touched. They're visiting Hawaii for a while and I'm excited to see them again and visit with them. They inspire me to strengthen my cultural roots and teach my son about his home in the land of the long white cloud. I hope our new bond will last a lifetime.

Even though life can be crazy, it's so imperative that I sit down and reflect regularly. There can be lots of negative things that happen. And it is my nature to allow those things to fill up my mind and create all kinds of doubt. But when I take the time to examine, meditate, remember and reconnect, I'm always filled with peace and positivity, with renewed courage to face the world again. Talking to old friends who love and care about me, unconditionally, is always very humbling, and very inspiring.

"And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."

I am so blessed.