“Okage sama de.
I am what I am because of you.”
Just over two weeks ago, Robert and I, with four others, traveled from Illinois and California to Hawaiʻi Island to celebrate my youngest brother Paul and sister-in-law Lovelyn's first year of marriage. A huge party was planned with 275 confirmed guests at the Old Kona Airport Pavilion.
Hurricane Nolo was brewing in the Pacific Ocean, threatening to strike Hawaiʻi a day before the party. State and county parks closed in anticipation. Shelters were set up. We were in the Kalahuipuaʻa area, and the wind whistled, roared, and whipped the leaves of the coconut trees. Huge dark cumulus clouds filled the sky. But no rain.
Relatives were flying in from Honolulu for the Saturday night party. Several asked me if I thought the party would still happen. Paul didn’t know, I didn’t know, but something told me things would work out.
On Friday before the party, the hurricane had stalled and was just sitting in the Pacific about 145 miles from Hawaiʻi Island. Paul texted me that evening that he had received the green light from county officials – the party was a go (phew)!!!
The Old Airport Pavilion is huge, with high ceilings and cement floors. It was a warm, humid full moon night with a small breeze blowing in from the ocean. Some 50 tables were lined with white butcher paper and set up in 8 long rows in a V-formation.
We got there just before 5 pm. People were starting to sit at the tables. Up on stage, a local guy was playing guitar and singing mellow Hawaiian music. Delicious pūpū were being served – fresh ʻopihi, deep-fried kole, poke, namasu and smoked meat. I greeted cousins, nieces, nephews and their children.
Paul had been working up until the last minute. He said he hadn't slept the last three days – mostly from the stress of not knowing if the party was on. And then he told me this story.
About three weeks before the party, Paul was in Hilo picking up items. He decided to visit our parents' graves at the East Hawaiʻi Veterans Cemetery. He brought them flowers and told them that he was finally married and was going to hold a big party in Kona. He said he missed them and that they should come to the party. But if they were coming, he wanted a sign that they were there!
Paul and I looked at each other, eyes wide. There were no words to say. We knew that Ma and Dad had helped to make the party happen. As I looked out at all those tables full of family, three generations eating and laughing together, I knew they had made it to the party to celebrate.
Malama pono (take care of body, mind and heart),
June Kaililani Ryushin Tanoue
Kumu Hula, Roshi
P.S. Hereʻs a slideshow of our Trip: https://youtu.be/g1kYEDuw9pE
P.P.S. Recently at our Zen Life & Meditation Center:
Nicolee Jikyo McMahon: A Conversation https://youtu.be/6bDdUFPju44
June Tanoue: A Buffalo Passes Through the Window. https://youtu.be/JzWg-bgSpcQ
Diane Bejcek: Ordinary Mind is the Way https://youtu.be/JzWg-bgSpcQ
Robert Althouse: 5 Skandhas, Heart Sutra, 5 Buddha Families https://youtu.be/B1sUvBsqbds