Words of Remembrance: From Susan

Dear Uncle,

I write this in celebration of your life. You have been a part of my whole life. I loved the stories

you would tell me on how you and my mom would take me to the doctor when I was an infant

on the street car, that was before the bus when not everyone had cars. Then you went away

in the Navy to serve our Country. I know that you spent a lot of time in Japan because

somewhere in my attic I still have the china tea set you sent me, also in my hope chest is

a pair of silk pajamas from Japan.

I remember the time you lived in Southern California and our families would visit often. I

remember the day you and Auntie Marge came to tell us that you were moving to Hawaii, a far

and exotic place. Once you moved to Hawaii we didn’t see you much because you were afraid

to fly and only came back to the mainland by ship. When I graduated from high school you sent

me the most beautiful necklace and bracelet, I still have it today and wear it with love.

As soon as I could I came to visit you in Hawaii. I was overcome by the Aloha Spirit. Auntie

Marge taught us about Hawaiian culture and traditions and shared the island way like no other.

When I got married you were still afraid to fly and couldn’t attend my wedding. So I came to

you on my honeymoon so you could meet the wonderful man I intended to spend my life with.

You welcomed Richard with open arms and sometimes I would be jealous because you two hit

it off so well. I have many good memories of our many trips to Hawaii, my children even have

“Made in Hawaii” stamped on their okoles.

You were here for me when my father passed away and became my surrogate dad. Most

important you stepped in and became a grandfather to my two boys. Finally, you decided to

take a chance and fly and it wasn’t so bad, of course you only flew first class. For the last

twenty years we didn’t make many visits to Hawaii because you were always on our

doorstep. I think one year you were here 4 times, most years we could expect at least one or

two visits. You were here for the important occasions: Ryan’s birth – your first “great

nephew”, Chris and Andy’s going away parties as they both went off to culinary school. Chris

and Kristy’s wedding, Ethan’s birth your second great nephew and Andy and Nicole’s wedding.

You gave us the gift of the love for food. I loved the times I would come home from work and

you and the boys had prepared dinner – from adobo to pizza and everything in-between. You

taught me the fine art of the perfect eggplant parmesan – still my favorite dish – and how to

make the best meatballs.

I loved your Sunday phone calls – sometimes long with lots to say and other times just checking

in to see if everything was okay. Sometimes you would just talk to Richard.

Thank you for hanging in there so I could have one last visit with you in September, I know that

you didn’t say much but I could see in your eyes how happy you were and how you enjoyed all

of us being together.

I will always love you, ALOHA, dear uncle

Susan