Today is going home day. I haven't posted because I have been in Hawaii since Tuesday November 2.
Ingrid has been a saint taking care of Shawna. Ingrid reports that Shawna is eating her normal kibble, drinking water, and properly performing the results of those two activities. She is mobile and active and displays only a slight tilt of her head This is a long way from last week when Shawna's legs didn't work or later when she could only walk in circles and decorated the floor with a real mess. And Ingrid stuck with it and nursed her back to health.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Ingrid.
From Tuesday the 2nd to Monday the 8th I was on Maui with my sister-in-law, Reenie, and her husband, Tom. We had a great time on Maui visiting all the places that were Mary's favorite. We had a great dinner at Mama's, hamburgers at Leilani at Whaler's Village, visited the Coach store there, drove to Hana and the next day to Haleakala, flew to Oahu to visit Pearl Harbor and Waikiki, took a snorkel trip to Molokini and to Turtle Town and the grand finale was dinner at "The Feast at Lele" in Lahaina. I rented a two bedroom condo facing the beach and we could walk just a few paces and be swimming and snorkeling in front of our own unit.
On the 8th, I flew to the Big Island while Reenie and Tom flew home. I was attending the ITPC, a trade conference I have been attending and organizing for about the last ten years--except last year of course (click here for ITPC). This year I moderated a panel discussion. This conference is designed to include spouses and there was a few times with old friends when the tears appeared. Overall, however, it was very good to be here.
Speaking of tears, Maui was Mary's favorite island. And, we loved staying at the Renaissance in Wailea. The Renaissance is closed now but I managed to rent beachfront condo (Unit 7H) at the Ekahi Village immediately north of the closed hotel. After breakfast, Mary and I would walk the very long stretch of three adjoining beaches--Ulua, Mokapu and Keawakapu--it was our tradition--and the beach walk takes a little over an hour. One day Reenie and Tom joined me and a couple other times I wanted to simply be alone on my walk.
I could feel Mary on those walks.
I watched a family--mom, dad and two very cute 3 year old twin girls just celebrating being on the beach and playing in the surf. We chatted a bit and then I made a comment about how fortunate they were to be on Maui. The mom responded that Grandma and Grandpa had brought them along on this vacation.
I had to take my leave and turn away as I realized Mary would never fulfill her dream of hosting her grandchildren on Maui. I cried then and I am crying now as I write this.
Ciao
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