Page 2 - MidWeek - Nov 17, 2021

2 MIDWEEK NOVEMBER 17, 2021
Life Lessons From A Wise Man
“Every home is a university and the parents are the teachers.”
I— Mahatma Gandhi
on the front. I smiled as I slid the pastel card out and read what was a love letter from my daughter. It ended with, “I must have tested your patience often; somehow you just knew how much space to allow me to make my own decisions as I gradually grew in maturity.” Those words unlocked a res- ervoir of memories of a time long ago.
ELet’s Be Better
opened the pale blue envelope. The word “Mommy” was printed
nd-of-year resolutions tend to be personal checklists to improve one’s health, outlook, relationships, career situation, etc. From the
daughter’s card. Dad could have easily made the decision for me; instead, he chose to let me decide. And now, his way had become part of my own parenting style.
mundane (clean up the clutter, the gut, the gutter) to the aspirational (volunteer weekly at a charity or school), resolutions can encourage us to do more or do better.
But alas, come Jan. 20, the clutter continues to pile up and we haven’t stepped on a scale since fireworks’ night out of reality fear. But maybe this time we’ve gotten a better grip on ourselves and what matters as we come out of the woodwork after nearly two years. Maybe 2022 really will be the year of living differently, where we’ll take small, incremental steps to wellness in some aspects of our lives.
The author’s wise father taught her a valuable lesson in parenting.
Wouldn’t it be great if we all would simply just be 10% better — kinder, more empathetic, giving more of ourselves to our kids, significant others, co-work- ers, neighbors and friends? What if the holiday season boost we feel annually around November/December lasted, like a beneficial booster vaccine, for months or years? What if we left reminders on our phone, work desk and calendars to keep that holiday vibe alive as the monotony of day-to-day life creeps in by the time we hit the second quarter next year?
The excitement swept through the gang like wildfire. “Wait you guys! I gotta go
go around the island? What time would you be coming home?” he looked worried. “Do you think it’ll be safe out at this hour?”
The card from my daughter revealed that the core of my parenting skills were molded long ago, by a most wise man.
What if we saw a health professional or military member standing in line at a quick service restaurant and opted to pay for his/her meal and simply said, “Thanks for all that you do”? This is certainly not meant to be cloying, just an assessment of what we can do after a tough and extended winter, spring, summer and fall of discontent.
“My friends want to go around the island,” I blurt-
no!”
Finally he spoke. His voice
alized that I was staring at my
We are the land of aloha, so this really shouldn’t be such a stretch — ever. Some comment on how rude people have become — in lines, on planes, while driv- ing, on the phone — and that’s possibly due, in part, to a very trying and frustrating couple of years. But we can change that, and the holiday season is a good time to proactively train ourselves for the rest of our lives.
Think about it ...
I was in high school at an evening party and someone hollered impulsively, “Hey you guys! We go around the island!”
ed. “Can I go with them?” Silence.
was a bare whisper.
“What do you think is best?” I spun around angrily and
I continued reading Ann’s card: “Now all the things you’ ve taught me over the years are a part of me. The choices I make and the way I look at life, have so much to do with how I was raised.”
ask my dad.”
So, off we went snaking
His voice was so soft that I strained to hear every word. He lowered his eyes back to
lead car.
“Well? What did he say?” “He said, he said ... I can’t
through the side roads to my home in McCully.
go!”
I turned and ran into the
Linda Tagawa is a retired school teacher, and enjoys writing about island life.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Robin Stephens Rohr and Lynne Johnson.
Dad was sitting in his favor- ite chair reading.
the paper.
“Dad! Just tell me yes or
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
house.
The memory faded and I re-
“Dad! They’re waiting!” Slowly he lifted his eyes. “How long does it take to
stomped out of the house. Why couldn’t he just tell me!? Why does he have to make life so darn hard for me! I just wanted to die! I walked in slow motion to the
KELLEY
with Linda Tagawa
What if we consciously go out of our way to say “mahalo” to the administrative types who’ve handled far too many calls from far too many agitated people over the past 21 months? Or the store clerks and line personnel at our favorite locations who’ve had to deal with more risk than many since their jobs don’t permit working from home?
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com