Fun Fri-Yayy Aloha Winner & Wrap up and Mother's Day Poem

Cindy Georgakas

May 10

Happy Fun Fri-Yay!

I hope you've had a wonderful week. Re-acclimating is always a challenge when you return from vacation but I have to say I'm infiltrating small changes that are making a difference in my over all well being. There is no breakfast to greet me, shoreline to swim or an afternoon mai tai but I'm remembering to factor me into my day, is a huge deal.

My psyche is over active I've noticed and my sleep patterns, erratic. I'm been dreaming up a storm of people and world issues which I've attributed to processing certain issues I have no control over as I step away from some of those. Carl Jung, famous dream psychologist, would have a field day with the unconscious interpretations. We're the best interpreter's of our dreams in my opinion but it can be helpful to have experts look deeper with you, if you so desire.

The longer I give myself permission to stay out of arena's that are NMP (Not My Problem) as I like to call it, the better off I am not to get involved in arena's that aren't mine to "fix". My natural habitual patterns to respond to things as if putting out a fire or that I think need immediate attention, can wait. I have to catch myself but when I do which is more often than not lately, I open up a space inside for me to relax and access what needs my attention and what doesn't. The more I catch myself, the more I can be at choice. Does this make sense?

But now, let's just go back to some wrap up pictures of Hawaii and I can also announce the winners of the fruit contest. You might remember I asked if anyone knew what these two fruits were:

And the winners are Kym Gordon Moore from We Are Poetry who guessed the sea urchin looking fruit was a Rambutan. Ding, ding, ding.. YES! Congratulations!

And Naida from Thoughts and Intents guessed right on both counts. The potato looking one is a Longan. Winner winner chicken dinner! If I could send you a barbecue or the fruit I would but both are tall orders. All I can say is both of them look fleshy on the inside and are sweet but I've gotta say for me personally, they aren't worth the work of opening them. If you are in Hawaii you do have to give them a taste though. You know your fruits Naida. Thanks for playing.

This maybe TMI but if you care to know more about them, here you go:

Longan fruit, also referred to as "Dragon Eye," is a tropical jewel that originates from the soapberry family. The longan, with its translucent and jelly-like flesh, as well as its smooth and tan-brown outer layer, bears a striking resemblance to an eyeball once it has been peeled, hence earning it its captivating nickname.

Description

Rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae. The name also refers to the edible fruit produced by this tree. The rambutan is native to Southeast Asia. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits, including the lychee, longan, pulasan, and quenepa. Wikipedia

Here are some final pictures to share with you from the big island: Hawaii!

Driving into Kona, you are greeted by lava everywhere where Pele, the Goddess of Volcanos makes herself know. I remember over 35 years when I arrived wondering if this was in fact Hawaii at all but indeed in Kona it is the drier side of the island where the sun blesses you with it's sunshine and black, green and black beaches. Hilo is located on the north side of the island and quite a contrast with lush green rainforests where the weather is quite often drizzly.

I was so excited to see the Nene Bird; Nene Hawaiian Geese because they have been on the endangered species list. There are strict guidelines now to maintain and increase the population of these wonderful birds. I even saw some babies.
The Nene Goose's rarity is a result of historical hunting practices and the introduction of non-native predators to the Hawaiian Islands. These factors led to a severe decline in their population, with only 30 individuals remaining in 1967, bringing them to the brink of extinction.Jul 2, 2023

We stayed at the Westin which is now part of the Marriot in front of the the Hapuna Beach, which in my opinion and most others is one of the best beaches because of it's long stretch of beautiful white sand. Their aren't many shells so if you're looking for that, don't waste your time, look elsewhere.

The bottom picture is Kauna'oa (Mauna Kea) Beach which is considered another top beach which is gorgeous and right next to where we were staying with public access as well. They also have the BEST luau if you're interested but my husband is luau'd out so we just walked over for photos and drinks one night. It's the best beach for swimming with a 1/2 mile of beach front with wonderful snorkeling as well. We snorkeled one day which was lovely but if you like to dive or snorkel, you've come to the right place. Don't miss 2 Step for a real experience of fish in a protected harbor of all of the colors of the rainbow and coral reef but we did, it was farther than we wanted to go this trip.

We took an amazing helicopter ride there over 35 years ago when we first started going in Hilo which was gorgeous but tainted by nausea which I never need to see again, 4 barf bags later. Needless to say, I prefer the drier side as much as I do love the natural forests, Rainforest Zoo, tropical flowers and animals. It's only 2 hours away so well worth the visit and some people prefer staying there. I'm just not one of them.

The pictures above are of Kona Village where we started going 35 years about and took the kids. It was in Kona, all inclusive and was back to nature in the truest sense of the word. There were no T.V.s no phones in rooms, we didn't have cell phones and we stayed in thatched huts. The kids fished in the pond, we did Hawaiian crafts, making lauhala bracelets from the lauhala tree and Auntie Eleanor would craft hats out of palm trees. We used to visit the Manta Ray's nightly which have been replaced by the seal that comes now. Sooo adorable, I might add. The beach was big enough, calm and perfect for our 4 kids.

It closed and recently has been renovated and we went for dinner. I immediately started crying with so many memories flooding, remembering and being so grateful for this special time in nature in a natural setting with the welcoming Ohana spirit that made this home away from home. I also cried since it is now a Rosewood Hotel making it prohibitive for us to return to with our Grands in the future. Everything was all inclusive in the day and now the price for one night is the price of a monthly rent for so many people. It is so sad to me to see that it truly is now for only the rich and famous of pocket book, not heart. I will say every artifact is beautiful and they have preserved the Ohana spirit. The good news is you can come for dining if you would like which I was blessed to do.

The town of HOLUALOA is not to be missed with wonderful village shops where you can find original craft items of lauhala, shells, galleries etc. A scenic 15 minute drive up the Hualalai road from Kailua-Kona brings you to this hillside village town called Holualoa. I added a lauhala headband to my collection. It's really hard to find original lauhala now and the woman at Kimura's is not weaving anymore as she is aging and is very slowly finding others to learn the skill. Most of the lauhala you will find from the Philippine's which saddens me to know end. I make a point to add to my hat and purse collection whenever I can when I go.

And this about sums up our trip to Hawaii this time around. I'm sooooo excited to say we have some very dear friends who's son is getting married in Kaui in October so we will return to the islands and I can't wait.

And last but not least a poem to all of the mom's, babies and our mother's!

A Mother's Love

Lifetime of memories tucked in my womb.
I looked in your eyes and loved you right from the start.
A mother holds her baby in her tummy for a short time,
but in her heart forever, no matter the age.

Nestled in protection swimming freely,
then emerging as a beautiful butterfly
spreading their wings and flying
to new territory.

In a perfect world,
all babies are mothered and protected but
In those families where butterflies are wingless
or fly with one wing, they have a rough start.

Mom's do their best with what they were given,
even when they fall short, no manual was giveth.
All beings are worthy no matter who you are
so never forget you are pure love, a gift to everyone.

We learn more from our children than they do from us
but when we think they aren't listening, think again.
So here's to the mothers and babies who
light up our life and make our world a better place.

If you mourn your early years, remember
they didn't mean to hurt you, they were hurt too.
So mother yourself and know deep down,
it was never your fault.

To the mother's everywhere and mother's to be,
Happy Mother's Day!
And to my Mother, I'm grateful and love you so very much.
Thank you for loving me and the many lessons you've taught me.

Aloha and Mahalo for sharing my trip with me and reading my poem.

P.S. I know I'm late again but Fun Fri-Yay wouldn't be the same unless I had one of my grands. It looks like Fridays with Sienna is starting to be a regular Fun-Fri-Yay and with a smile like this, how can I resist!

Remember, if we have one person in our lives that love us, even if they aren't our Mom, we have enough!
Mother yourself and Mother others to the best of your ability!