Daniel's Turn

Some 33 years ago, on the day I was born (October 29th, people--get ready, now!), I'm sure the Universe looked upon me and said, "Someday, this being will have beautiful daughters, and one of them will look like this:

I'm sure this caused great distress, because, well...I'm not this cute. :-9  "Who will help her bring all this loveliness to pass?" they must have wondered, searching high and low, past and future, until somebody showed up and asked, "How about this guy?"

"Wow!" they thought. "He's perfect!"  But one little voice of doubt piped up from the back, "Are you sure? Because he's going to have spend a few years looking like this,

and I'm not sure she'll be okay with that."  A slight ripple of laughter washed over the crowd, and quickly a solution was found: "We'll make sure they don't meet until after he grows out of that phase, and starts looking more like this:

And he will love her, and protect her, and annoy her, and forgive her, and hold her, and make her laugh, and give her a life sweeter than her bratty self deserves, and she will understand a comfort, and have an unfair advantage, that comes in knowing there is almost nothing she can do to make him stop loving her (I haven't figured out what quantifies the "almost," and I don't plan on finding out.).  And she will love him more than even she knows.

And it was exactly as it should be. 

Happy birthday, Daniel.  I love you.

Look Who's Turning a Quarter-of-a-Century!

Presenting

Joshua Charles Ielemiah

Okay...maybe not. 

Let's try that again:

There.  That's better. 

My first little brother, who was born shortly before my 8th birthday, turned 25 a few days ago.  This comes as a shock to me, since I spend most of my days thinking I'm 22, and, well...that math just doesn't add up.

For those of you who know Josh, you know he's pretty cool.  That comes from spending a lot of time around me.  (Wow. I couldn't even type that with a straight face.)  But, seriously, he is. 

It's been fascinating to watch him find his way in this world, with more style and grace than I could have ever imagined.  (Which means that he can wear pink and not get beat up, and that he can work a room like a real politician. And not get beat up.)  I have loved watching him morph from a timid 18-year-old who required a minor amount of handholding, to a strong, mostly positive influence (;-9) on the little band of Hawaiians he's shepherding around today (our littlest brother has made his way over here, and brought all of his friends with him.  They're not quite as timid as Josh was.). 

Some things that he has never grown out of: a gentle spirit, and a heart of gold.  So many stories, so little time, and so much thankfulness for who he is today.

Hau'oli la hanau, brother; love you, no kidding.

Hau'oli La Hanau, e Malia

The little girl in the middle transformed into a 6-year-old yesterday. 

Just like that. 

Didn't even check with me to make sure it was okay. 

(If she had, I probably wouldn't have signed off on it.) 

But it happens anyway--surely, and more swiftly than I could

 have ever imagined. 

With each milestone, I am excited for her, proud of her,

and keenly aware of the fact that

I will never pass this way again.

She and her sisters have been joy unimaginable,

and the best is yet to come.

"In raising my children, I have lost my mind, but found my soul." 

-Lisa T. Shepherd

Indeed.

  

(Click here for an oldie but goodie-Malia at three years old.)

Changing Things Up a Bit

Thinking of these outstanding human beings today, and am thankful that I somehow ended up in this mix. 

Love you guys.