Leilani
….from the shelf in a thrift store thousands of miles from home, to her very own lounge, to sending her kieki (children) to Hawaii to fly the skies above the volcanoes of the Big Island – she really has made a huge difference in our lives and that of others.
myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope and I sent Leilani’s kieki to Ohana near and far a few years ago, and his sister determined that Leilani’ would like to fly the skies along with him. And every time he flies with Paradise Helicopters, Leilani - affectionately nicknamed Hula Girl - is his trusty companion. And I know in my heart of hearts that myDarlin’ is with them witnessing the glorious sunrises, as well as the wrath of Pele as she furiously, but always gracefully sends molten lava from the mountain tops.
After a long day’s work, I snapped a photo in the parking deck and tagged it #GoodNiteHomer #KeepLookingUp, then made my way out into the brisk evening air wondering if the calendar I had ordered the week before arrived. Coming around the corner I saw the Saints flag whipping in the wind, and spied the envelope set against the front door. Excitedly, I opened the envelope and pulled out the autographed calendar, only to realize that there were other items with it. And I held in my hands two beautiful prints of photos I had seen of Leilani on his page.
In Leilani’s Aloha Lounge we prepared items for the silent auction just a week ago today, and it felt right as we walked about on the grass carpeting that myDarlin’ so carefully laid years prior; the carpeting that had the honor of so many footsteps of our Ohana over the years. I gathered the Leilani’s Aloha Lounge t-shirts that our support team would wear at the benefit so that we were easily identified, and she asked, ‘just who is Leilani?’ I told her Leilani’s story, and she nodded in understanding and smiled as she chose her shirt. And when I looked out from the stage, I knew that myDarlin’ was smiling with me as I saw so many Leilani’s tie dye shirts. As we were walking out after a long, but successful event, a young lady stopped me to ask where ‘Leilani’s Aloha Lounge’ is and I replied, right here in our own town and asked if she would like a shirt of her own. She slipped it over her head and a smile instantly came across her face. That’s the power of Leilani’.
In my sleepy state, I close my eyes and allow my fingertips to be guided over the keyboard by my thoughts and realize that Leilani is so much more than a hula doll, or a t-shirt or even a place. Leilani represents the union of myDarlin’s and my life. And through her we are able to share our love with you in a tangible way.
myLord, I am grateful tonight for the day we found sweet Leilani on a shelf in a thrift store and what she has represented in our lives every day since then. And whether it be wearing one of her hand tie dyed t-shirts, hanging out in her lounge or flying with her over the volcanoes – you will know and feel in an instant that Leilani’ is love and Aloha.
#KeepLookingUp #AllYouNeedisLove
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