Xmas – Day 18

See my post from December 2009. That post describes a mind blowing experience. Well, it happened again. And, the kid that was the songleader in 2009 is now the “Director of Choral Music”. I thought I remembered him – and asked if he was here in 2009. Of course, it completely freaked him out that this old woman in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt would remember. Remember him specifically. Photographers never forget a face they focus carefully on in their viewfinder.

I was just visiting at the Palace – trying to get a few more steps on the fitbit – then someone mentioned that Kamehameha Schools was coming by within the hour. I hung around and was once again – turned to a little mound of quivering ectoplasm. And, every single one of those kids hugged me and said Aloha. Aloha that was felt and meant.

I think that this was my Xmas. In Hawai’i, there is a concept of “mana”. It is easy to say it means “power”. But, so so much more. It sure isn’t the modern day Western world version of power. I am just beginning to understand/feel it after all these years. Maybe, that is why I am going to Samoa. “Mana” isn’t really a Hawaiian concept. It is a Polynesian concept. The mana was tangible today.