La Vonne
"Ma," I called her. Iʻm sure Iʻm not the only who did of those of us whom she did not birth. In all of her life, I only visited the family home in Waiʻanae maybe two handfuls of times, maybe a little more, but initially Iʻd go because I was with Sweets when she wanted to stop and visit her while we were cruising on that side of the island. She showed me so much aloha. Asked me questions to get to know me and to see how my family and I were doing. Then when I was by myself a few times down that way, Iʻd stop by just to see that smile on her face and give her a hug. I wanted to show her appreciation for the aloha she extended me. Because my visits were spread apart by years in between, I could see age coming upon her body like it is on mine today, but the one thing that never aged or lessened in any way was her love. I think she shared the love of God with the world, truly. Thatʻs why she lived so long. He used her all that time to give folks like me hope in myself, in my family, and in Hawaiʻi in her own God-given, Puerto Rican way. "Iʻm sorry for not being at your Celebration of Life, Ma. In no way does my absence reflect the way I felt and still feel about you. It is because I still feel grateful for you in my life that I write this here today, almost 2 years after youʻve left this earth. I love you, Ma. To your everlasting life."