Color my world -
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with love and gratitude. Dogs barking, piano riffs and antique car horns awaken me from a deep sleep of dreaming about myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope. I can’t quite grasp the memory of what the dream was, but he was there…. (most likely asking me if I’m going to quit hitting the snooze button, LOL!) Today is going to be a wonderful day I told myself, as I filled my vintage Waffle House mug with water, placed it in the microwave and thought about Gumby’s flexible approach to life.
A wonderful team mate of mine put together a volunteer event for us at a local women’s home which provides temporary housing and life skills coaching in order to get them on their feet again to become productive members of society. I was honored to participate in an individual session with a client and her coach to share my career story and advice on how to be successful. (Yes, if you’re wondering I did share my Gumby story…) I see a spark in her eyes as I ask her about what she has accomplished and is most proud of, and know that she will be successful and her daughter will look to her as a wonderful role model. We talked of networking and the importance it bears in one’s career and everyday life. And I have a gut feeling that she will turn up in my life again at some point, and we will look back upon today.
As the session ends, I walk across the parking lot to join my other team mates to take photographs and pitch in with various tasks. As I am looking up, I see beautiful golden and red leaves adorning the branches of the trees set against the backdrop of the most beautiful blue sky. I’m not sure what made me look down for a moment, perhaps the uneven parking lot, but as I did I saw it the perfect green crayon just lying there. I picked it up and put it in my pocket, making a mental note to return it to the appropriate place, but forgot as I went about my way. The event drew to a close, and our team gathered for lunch and fellowship before I made my way back home.
myDarlin’ would often finish his work day early and come home to take a nap before the evening’s activities. And today as I walked through the doors two hours earlier than normal, I decided to honor his tradition of taking a nap. I kicked off my shoes, then as I was taking my jacket off – I reached into the pocket and found it, that perfect green crayon. Yes, myDarlin’ I understand….. we can all color our world any way we choose. With love and gratitude in my heart, I think back to your prayer that God would give me strength and understanding.
I pulled up to the new location for the Open Mic this evening and saw that the sign out front said Aloha Open Mic, and wondered how she talked an Italian restaurant into that title! And our friend swept me away just as I was about to enter the restaurant, asking if I wanted to check out the Goodwill – and what do you think my answer was? We laughed as we perused the holiday decorations, records and books. We did see one ugly Christmas sweater vest, but alas I already have that one so we passed on it….. And then we saw it – the piece de resistance’ - a Halloween sweater with appliqued pumpkins, ghosts, bats, black cat and full moon. I am happy to report that I did not begin a new collection this evening, but was satisfied with taking a photo of her with the sweater for posterity’s sake. A text comes through as he walks through the door telling us to come back to the restaurant.
And what I saw and felt next took my breath away…. as the glass door opened, the love enveloped me like a wave crashing to the shore. Looking around the room was surreal, and every time I thought I knew exactly who was there, I would see someone else. The last time I have been so overwhelmed was at myDarlin’s service as we walked down the aisle and I saw so many of the same faces. Our friends, our community, our Ohana came out to show their love. So much to take in, the balloons, the flowers, the photo booth, the little rubber duckies, plastic boats and bath puffs, and the brightly colored gifts and cards – did I mention friends, so many friends….
He is the first up and sings the Sinatra song, I Wish You Love and I can almost hear myDarlin’ sing ‘and most of all, when snowflakes fall, I wish you love.’ Another wonderful friend sings Love Song and tells the story of how myDarlin’ would join in on harmony as they played on the patio in the springtime. ‘Love is the opening door; Love is what we came here for.’ Snap! Let’s take photos with friends in the shower curtained theme photo booth. It felt funny not having my camera out, but liberating at the same time as I know that she takes wonderful photos as well.
And then…a song she wrote for me, and named after me. Life is full of firsts, and this is one. The feelings…how can I tell you, where do I start? I am humbled beyond measure as she sings, “Please take my picture Sheri, I want to see life through your lens.” I feel myDarlin’ with me, not by my side, but in my heart. She tells me of how this song came to be as she woke before the early morning light with lyrics in her heart, then took pen to paper to see what it was all about, and as the morning progressed the song emerged. She told me that myDarlin’ sent it to her for me and I believe it to be true. Mahalo….
One of my favorite parts about tonight was the thought and love that went into the preparation, and the sense of love and friendship that hung in the air as she took our photos, you sang your songs and we created new memories swirled together with old like a chocolate-vanilla ice cream cone. And the notes you wrote to me on the hearts cut out of bright yellows, pinks, purples and blues will be cherished for the remainder of my days. And as I read through each and every one, one from a young man with such a sweet spirit stood out. ‘Even with a bad lens and terrible lighting, your picture would shine.’ Mahalo.
And I pack my car with the many gifts and treasures from you my dear friends, make the short trip home pulling into the drive with a heart full of love. I hear a plane fly overhead, and look up realizing that on this overcast night I cannot see it – that is until I see the blinking light. My mind immediately goes to that warm summer day when our grandson, almost two years old, looked to the sky as a plane flew overhead and said, “Tutu!” I open the door to the back seat and slide the pink, the gold, the green, the white gift bag handles over my fingertips, and as I walk through the front door threshold, I exclaim, ‘Heeelllloooo… I’m home Darlin’’ And on the mantle, the heart rock he sent to me on his birthday is unexplicably warm on this cold evening. I wrap my hand around this perfect gift and can hear his ring tone in the background, ‘All You Need is Love.’
Tonight I am filled with gratitude that I am blessed with such a wonderful Ohana, a family, a community that embraces the spirit of love, life and music, and together we all keep looking up. Mahalo for a wonderful birthday celebration. I love you.
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