Tabebuia tree on Oahu
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Saturday, June 19, 2010

Rainbow Showers

Cloudia of Comfort Spiral mentioned seeing shower trees around town. I've been stuck indoors for most of over two weeks because of my nasty cold so I haven't been outside to see much. I did go out today with Art and my brother to do a little shopping and saw some Rainbow Shower trees.

My brother, Dennis helped me get the best angle to photograph these beautiful trees.




This evening we went to a service for the husband of Art's cousin, Sarah who was lost to us several months ago. It was a beautiful Buddhist service. The minister's sermon was meaningful and loving.

During the refreshments afterwards I mentioned a memory I had of Cousin Robert to Cousin Sarah's daughters.

Tif came with her Korean-American husband, Ed to Hawaii one summer for the first time and we had a little party to welcome them. I have a feeling, Ed may have felt a little out of place surrounded by a family of mostly Japanese-American islanders, himself being a Midwesterner brought up in a first generation Korean family. Cousin Robert perhaps saw it and somehow remembering (he served during the Korean War) all the lyrics to Arirang, one of the most famous Korean songs, said he wanted to sing it for Ed. I believe Ed was very touched and I know Tiffany definitely was.

As we sat in the temple, I could see Cousin Robert's spirit standing there smiling at Ed and singing that beautiful song in his welcome to the family.


I guess it's been a rainbow shower of memories of Cousin Robert who nearing retirement wrote an essay with a bucket list of goals he wanted to accomplish before he died. He wanted to travel and see the world, wanted to be more outgoing, helping and loving not just his family but everybody around him who wanted or needed it, wanted to help his temple and community, and more. When he lay dying, Sarah read those goals to him and gloried in the knowledge that he had done everything on his list.

Cousin Robert died peacefully. All of us who were touched by him are blessed.

11 comments:

  1. The trees are so beautiful and so are your memories.

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  2. Even I don't know the lyrics to Arirang. That was very nice of him to sing it for your new son-in-law.

    Yes, the shower trees are amazing. They are in full bloom in the shopping center near us.

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  3. How nice that he had accomplished what he wanted to!
    Hope that you are recovering from your illness...2 weeks! Geez!

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  4. what a lovely tribute to a wonderful person. I'm so happy he accomplished all his bucket list.

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  5. Beautiful, unusual trees and a wonderful tribute to Cousin Robert.

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  6. Oh the trees are beautiful! What lovely memories of your loved one you shared.

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  7. Kay, those trees are just beautiful! What beautiful memories you have of the special people that have passed through your lives!

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  8. what beautiful blossoms, they go well with your tribute to Robert. very touching.

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  9. The trees are beautiful -convey our thanks to your brother for helping you out on capturing these perfect shots.

    Lovely tribute.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  10. Lovely memories Kay and all your photos were just breathtaking.

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