| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Julie H |
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 7:05:29 PM
Here is a story of a miracle.
My older sister, who is handicapped and obese, has always been told that she is fat and ugly. (Not from anyone in her direct family, though.) Last year, we took her to George's workshop on Maui to get her away from some very sad circumstances. She was not so sure, as she had only taken a few ukulele lessons and was terribly slow, and afraid she would be rejected again.
She was welcomed with open arms. Everyone was very kind, attentive and considerate of her. She took all the classes she had energy for, and played along with the nightly kani kapilas, with me prompting her on which chords to play. Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i serenaded her one luchtime after I thanked him for his encouraging words during a class. My sister was in 7th heaven because she had Uncle Richard's CDs and adored him.
My "fat, ugly, handicapped" sister got up to do a hula in front of everyone one night. I cried, realizing what a huge step that was for her...
In the middle of the week, her house was burglarized and vandalized. She got a phone call from the San Jose Police, and was thinking to return home to deal with the mess. When she recovered from the original shock, she decided she did not want to miss a day of the workshop, and so she stayed, performed at the Slack Key Festival with all of us, and relished every moment.
She is now taking ukulele classes from Saichi in San Jose, plays and sings along with everyone, dances hula in a halau, and can not wait for June to come around again, providing her ailing husband does not die between now and then...
What a difference we can make in someone's life if we just take the time and make the effort.
I write this with immense gratitude to everyone who may read this and was there cheering my sister on. Thanks to all of you, she has the strength to go on. See you in June! Cocktail hour on the Seawall!
Me ke aloha nui loa,
Julie |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Pmahany |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 06:02:38 AM
Oh, you can go to hawaiidreamrental.com to see what the place looks like. Unfortunetly for me it is rented out during most of the workshop, hence I need to work something out. Not to whine, but I've been unemployed for 26 months now so need to economize every which way I can.
Mahalo |
| Pmahany |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 12:46:22 PM
Julie, I remember setting down for dinner with your sister and how she is so excited about this new inspiring direction in her life. I can't say how important it is for me that these camps and other experiances with the hawaiian community have been. I could use a little miracle right now. I would like to trade or share some ocean front accomodations from june 11 to july 2 for sharing the Friday before to the Friday of George's workshop. If interested, drop me a line. I really want to go and could use some help.
Mahalo |
| Julie H |
Posted - 03/23/2010 : 8:03:16 PM
Oh goody, Dusty!
It's always a pleasure to see you! Looking forward to it.
Hugs, Julie |
| wdf |
Posted - 03/23/2010 : 06:22:35 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Julie H
Jim, Connie,
I think you'll be just fine. It won't be the first year you are overdoing it. Remember Moloka'i? I will see you on Maui, I would have to be on my deathbed to miss it!
Hugs, Julie
Great news, Julie! I will be there too.
|
| Julie H |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 7:41:50 PM
Jim, Connie,
I think you'll be just fine. It won't be the first year you are overdoing it. Remember Moloka'i? I will see you on Maui, I would have to be on my deathbed to miss it!
Hugs, Julie |
| garson |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 4:58:01 PM
Aloha Julie, Connie and I remember your sister fondly and hope to see all of you again. We just booked both camps this year. We are bit bit worried that all the excitement will be too much for us. Please at least come to George's in June! Aloha to y'all Connie and Jim |
| Bwop |
Posted - 03/19/2010 : 07:00:00 AM
"cocktails on the seawall" = horizontal |
| Julie H |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 8:44:15 PM
Thank you Les!
Nancy, she is sooo ready for this camp I have trouble keeping her contained. Actually, it will be a miracle if we can all go since I'm out of work and my husband just changed jobs and took a huge cut in pay. I'm not sure we can go to all the workshops we enjoy annualy, but you know, life is good, we are all breathing and vertical!
Hallelujah! Cocktails on the seawall!
Julie |
| les_maverick |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 11:26:11 AM
No worries Julie, I'll just tell her that I have met you at a couple of the concerts in
Santa Cruz that you have decorated.
Les |
| Pua Kai |
Posted - 03/17/2010 : 5:59:26 PM
Is she coming again this year? |
| Julie H |
Posted - 03/17/2010 : 5:22:00 PM
Aaahhh Les!
Don't tell her I posted about her, she would be mortified. She is quietly trying to re-invent herself, but anonymously...
Julie |
| les_maverick |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 1:01:16 PM
Julie:
I have met your sister and she is a very nice person. She shared her experiences at the camp during some
down time at one of Uncle Saichi's workshops. I see her in the beginning class and seems to be moving
along pretty well. She seems to be getting involved many activities with the group.
Les |
| wcerto |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 08:15:34 AM
I not crying over this one, I rejoicing. |
| rendesvous1840 |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 08:09:01 AM
Wow! What a beautiful story. True aloha has no limits. Good thing Auntie Wanda keeps the tussues by the 'puter.
Unko Paul |
| salmonella |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 05:44:12 AM
Wow Julie
Thank you for sharing that. Hey Wanda, pass the tissues huh?
Dave |
