Some actions last longer….
than a lifetime. As myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope moved through this life, he’s always had that grin and a twinkle in his eye. And even though there are few that have known him for his entire life, everyone that I have asked validates what I already knew.
Back in 2006, our entire Ohana gathered at our place, coming in from all over the United States. And his Mother had just retired at age 90 from caring for children in her home. I was as amazed by this wonderful woman, and understood how much Robert adored her. In hopes of capturing memories that could be passed down for future generations, each of the kids decided on questions they would ask, and we captured the interviews on camera. I only wish that I had turned the camera on more, for talks that just she and I had as I asked her about the past.
When I asked her how Robert got the part in the Elvis movie Blue Hawaii, she told me a simple story. She brought him to the casting call where he was amongst many other children competing for the same role. And when his name was called, she told him to go on. As he looked at her, a bit apprehensive, she said, ‘Go on, you can do it.’ Funny thing is that as a parent and grandparent, one can imagine that she would have loved nothing more than to go in with him, but she knew that she had taught him well and now it was up to him to take those life lessons and apply them at the tender young age of five. For all of us that know Robert, it is not difficult to imagine that he won the crew over quickly with his infectious grin and the twinkle in his eye.
And over the years that myDarlin’ and I had together we spoke of so many experiences and in each of them I know that that same little grin and twinkle in his eye let those special people in his life know what they meant to him.
- School days with his classmates as they were truly Ohana spending days and nights together as they boarded away from home in the school/dorm up on the hill overlooking the mighty ocean.
- His little sister whom he was so proud of and always remembered her being one of the most determined people he had ever encountered.
- Each of his children as they entered this world, changing his life and their mother’s as they looked toward creating a homes that would nurture these young spirits.
- My children as they watched the grin and twinkle reflected on my face.
- Our grandsons, each of whom knew that Tutu Chef was their biggest fan.
- Our friends, whom all remember his gentle spirit, fun loving grin and sense of joy reflected in his eyes
- School days with his classmates as they were truly Ohana spending days and nights together as they boarded away from home in the school/dorm up on the hill overlooking the mighty ocean.
- His little sister whom he was so proud of and always remembered her being one of the most determined people he had ever encountered.
- Each of his children as they entered this world, changing his life and their mother’s as they looked toward creating a homes that would nurture these young spirits.
- My children as they watched the grin and twinkle reflected on my face.
- Our grandsons, each of whom knew that Tutu Chef was their biggest fan.
- Our friends, whom all remember his gentle spirit, fun loving grin and sense of joy reflected in his eyes
And on that crisp Saturday afternoon in March, we arrived to watch our friends perform before Kona took the stage. Camera in hand with a new (to me) manual prime lens, I walked about taking random shots of the band on stage, and then turned toward myDarlin’ to see the most perfect photo op. He sat on a bar stool facing the band, obviously enjoying the music while the sunshine wrapped around his cheeks and reflected in his eyes as if diamonds dancing about the ocean waves. I used to ask him the question often, ‘Penny for your thoughts’ and he would always share with me. I wonder what he would have told me at that very moment. Would it be how fortunate he felt to be playing with Kona, how much he was looking forward to retiring and playing music full time, how blessed he was in all aspects of his life, how special this very day, this very moment was – or just that he was so happy to have his own personal photographer. (LOL on the last one – just checking to make sure you’re awake) He made this his profile photo and it still remains today, with so many comments before and after. One that sticks out and sums up how so many of us feel is, ‘I feel so fortunate to know this wonderful gentleman.’ Me too… me too.
At myDarlin’s service, a friend approached me to let me know how much he meant to him and that he wanted to paint a portrait of him for me - an extremely kind gesture, which slipped my mind until a couple of days ago when I received a call from him. He told me that he had finished the painting and wanted to bring it to me. Anticipation was getting the best of me, as I stood at the front door waiting for him to arrive. As he pulled into the drive, I could see myDarlin’s face on the back seat of his car – and thought about all of the days he wasn’t allowed to ride in the front seat with me as he healed from surgery. Funny as it seems, I could see his slight grin all the way from the front porch.
Tears welled up in my eyes, as I watched his friend, the artist; carry the canvas to the doorstep. I looked over each detail, not to inspect his work, but to remember each detail of his face, and then there are his eyes…. the window to our soul or spirit. One would never know by looking at him, that he was blind in his left eye as a result of a stroke the year before. He even captured the small little hairs in his ears, and the threads of his hat. And as I complemented him on his skilled portraiture, he did the same as he admires my work too.
Tonight I am filled with gratitude for his friend, the artist telling me of the impact Robert had on him and his co-workers many years ago. They remember him with kindness, never complaining and always uplifting the team. ‘We’ve got a job to do, so let’s just do it!’ And he told me how fortunate he felt to have known him and that he will do his best to carry the spirit of Aloha on in Robert’s memory.
The spirit of Aloha can be created in an instant. It is a decision to behave with kindness, generosity, wanting to give joy to one another.
And some actions do last longer than a lifetime.
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