Susan Coloma
Val was always more like a real sister to me than a sister-in-law. From the first time we met, we bonded immediately which resulted in endless smiles and laughter that carried us through years of good and bad, happy and sad times and the trials and tribulations of our children.
When the kids were younger I remember riding around in her tan VW van with assorted children in the back either going to Zippy's for saimin or to an old arcade that use to be located on Waialae and 11th ave. where we would play Pacman, Donkey Kong and Battlestar Galactica for hours. Other times we'd go to Sears to search for the perfect muumuu to wear to the next graduation, party or special event.
She had so many talents besides professional Polynesian dancing when she was younger. She did amazing needlepoint and made my son Chris a wonderful needlepoint X-mas stocking. She loved to crochet and one time surprised me with a gift of a crocheted cream colored enormous table cover with butterflies on it. She was also a talented seamstress and I remember her sewing Rina's prom dress (at one point with Rina still in it) before Rina went to the prom with her future husband Jimmy. She was an excellant cook and we would often cook big family feasts or happily exchange Harry Kojima and other recipes.
She had her own way of doing things. I remember one day coming over when she was doing her laundry and she had on her usual shorts and T-shirt but instead of her slippers she wore these high heeled platform shoes, which i thought was a very interesting outfit but then realized she wore those shoes so she could reach the clothesline easier. Very practical!
We were into reading Romance Novels and watching Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless on TV every afternoon while the babies she watched took their naps. Val always had a very deep love for children and treated them all like they were her own. When we were over in Maui for her brother Billy's wedding , she was wearing a beautiful blue chiffon like muumuu.
A little boy came running by with a really ,REALLY runny nose. She bent down and took the hem of her beautiful dress and wiped his nose and face clean with it. That was Val!
To me Val embodied the real spirit of Aloha more than anyone I've ever met or known. She was not only physically beautiful but her heart and spirit were filled with so much love and warmth and kindness that to me she always felt like home.
Whenever I would leave her, I'd tell her, " I love you Val " and she'd always respond, " I love you more !" and then I'd always say, "I don't think that's possible!"
Val I miss you so, so much!
Thank you for all your kindness, friendship and love!
May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest!
