The Holidays...

They were aiight. My sisters had Christmas elsewhere, so we planned to celebrate the Saturday after, I guess it would be the 27th. Anyway, on Christmas, I followed the band from the church as the caroled. We came home, and I napped, then about 8pm we headed out to visit my Aunt Huni at the hospital. We stayed there 'til just before midnight. She was having a terrible time. She couldn't calm down. She would finally get calm, and something would trigger and she would gasp for her, like she was suffocating. This would happen over and over and over again. No pain, but the worst feeling in the world. In the end, her son, persuaded us to go home and rest, to come back early in the morning. My mom wanted to stay...some how I convinced her to come home. She needed to take care of herself in order to take care of someone else.

We dropped my sister off at home, and then walked in the door of my house. My dad's phone rings. My aunt just passed away. My sister came into my room crying, all I could think .... was ....

Just before we left, I looked my aunt in her eyes and said bye. She looked empty. If I paid attention, I would've known that would be last time I saw her eyes open. But it doesn't matter, those weren't the eyes of my aunt...she left already...

So basically, funeral arrangements had begun, and we had XMas at my sister's house, so it wouldn't be awkward as we opened presents, people worked? Yup... And New Year's, was right in the midst of everything. It was okay. This was the first time I didn't say and enjoy Senituli and Leti's eating.

It's about that time, right. Everyone only gets older, and eventually, they get called home. It's such a sad, yet joyous occasion...but no matter how you look at it, it never really gets better. Anyway, I did the program and a slideshow for my auntie. I hope people enjoyed it. That's the kindah stuff I'm good at. Organizing, creating, making things visually beautiful, create memories, but it looks easy, it looks like I'm sitting on the computer doing isht. I know it bothered people, because I wasn't bending over backwards making sure this and this and that and that...but I don't understand why people can't appreciate each other's gifts. I do my best to tend to people's needs, but I can't always do it to their standards, cuz it's not what I do...this is what I do.

Anyway, enjoy.

Huni Ailine Fakalata Dela Cruz, May 2008

Her tribute blanket created by Siale Paongo and Kelesi Toki.

The Wake @ Oak Park UMC. There's my slideshow to the left.

Fa, Tule and Hulita @ my house after the Burial.

The Four Seasons with Fa Wolfgramm (Mu'omu'a`s youngest sister's, Simaima, daughter), and Aiona Teu, (Mu'omu'a`s younger brother's, Sinisa's daughter).

Peace out, playahs.