Looking back…
one sees how truly special the moment really was. Forever frozen in time on a warm summer eve will be the last time myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope played bass on the patio of Ronnie John’s Sunset Grille….
He woke from a well-deserved nap after work, and I showed him the two freshly washed Aloha shirts I had scored at the thrift shoppe for him the day prior. He chose the one with cars and tried his best to convince me that there was no need to iron the shirt, at which I chuckled and ironed it anyway. We pulled into the parking lot at twilight. The soulful music easily drifted through the open window into the atmosphere surrounding the pale yellow building framed by the deep blue sky, and the sign read: Great Food, Great Music, Awesome Times. And all three had proven to be true not only that night, but many before and even many since…
- Great food – myDarlin’ simply loved the cuisine that took him back to his Hawaiian home; Tuna Poke (which was subsequently named ‘Blue Hawaii’ after myDarlin’), Chicken Katsu plate lunch and Loco Moco to name a few.
- Great music – myDarlin’ was ‘in charge’ of booking the music and delighted in bringing top quality talent in to entertain the guests.
- Awesome times – the state of Aloha is created in an instant by those who live it. It was apparent that laughter, love, music, dancing and friendship filled the space between the walls and vinyl windows of the patio, and those memories will linger in my heart for eternity.
- Great food – myDarlin’ simply loved the cuisine that took him back to his Hawaiian home; Tuna Poke (which was subsequently named ‘Blue Hawaii’ after myDarlin’), Chicken Katsu plate lunch and Loco Moco to name a few.
- Great music – myDarlin’ was ‘in charge’ of booking the music and delighted in bringing top quality talent in to entertain the guests.
- Awesome times – the state of Aloha is created in an instant by those who live it. It was apparent that laughter, love, music, dancing and friendship filled the space between the walls and vinyl windows of the patio, and those memories will linger in my heart for eternity.
Another wonderful evening with friends, Ohana, like so many before. As hard as I try, I cannot remember the song that they played as myDarlin’ sat in, but I do remember the feeling. It was one of happiness knowing that he was and we were grateful for the wonderful life we had, not knowing that just hours from then it would come to an end as we knew it.
Today, I am grateful. Grateful for all that our Lord has given to me, to us, to our Ohana as we traverse this journey called life for we are not guaranteed tomorrow, or even the next moment. And as sleepiness overcomes me this evening, I look up and am reminded of a childhood prayer. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless myDarlin’, my family, my friends and especially those who are in need of your boundless grace and mercy.
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