Page 2 - MidWeek - Dec 28, 2022

2 MIDWEEK DECEMBER 28, 2022
IRough Landing
Since my mother had been living alone in Hilo, I flew from Ho-
took a day trip recently. A semi-leisurely trio of flights to neighbor islands (at great rates) to ensure I’d keep my “special” airline status in 2023. Seemed simple enough
nolulu as often as I could — usually on Friday afternoons after work. My mother would pick me up at the airport and we would holoholo before going to her home. One day, she didn’t show up. I called and called without success. I finally caught a cab and found her sprawled on the floor unable to get up. The ambulance came and took her to the hospital with her im- ploring: “No sirens please.”
came good friends. Throughout her illness,
— HNL to OGG (Kahului) to KOA (Kona) and back home. Leave enough room in between trips to be safe — perhaps a meal here or there within the airport confines (not willing to tempt TSA lines); home in time for 3:15 p.m. Sunday Night Football.
she tried not to burden us. I was saddened by the winding down of her life; although not saying much, she often patted my hand to indicate that everything would be all right. Initially, afraid of be- ing responsible for her care, I learned that guiding her through the last year of her life had been a great privi- lege. I am filled with grati- tude for that. Her gift of brav- ery and love has made me less afraid of having to face my own aging and death.
Juliet Lee is a writer in- spired by Shin Buddhism.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr.
You’ve heard of having a bad hair day? Well, I had a bad air day. Unfortunately, I picked that turbulent Sunday, Dec, 18, when torrential rain, wind and lightning ruled. The flight to Maui had just a wee bit of turbulence. And then the fun began. Airport closures, incessant delays and wind-aided downpours flustered frenzied fliers, some trying to get to Ho- nolulu to catch the only available flight home that afternoon.
With a diagnosis of pan- creatic cancer, I felt it my responsibility to take care of her. With trepidation and help from my sturdy hus- band, I undertook this duty. Was I up to the task? Would Idoagoodjob?
Maui to Kona’s flight was uneventful, but we landed 100 minutes late, at 1:40 p.m., and my flight from Kona back to Honolulu left at 1:30 p.m. I’m in Kona, relatively un- prepared, and suddenly that quaint indoor/outdoor holding area became my prison. I couldn’t venture outside; I might miss the airline announcement about my make-up flight. I couldn’t saunter into the sole on-site restaurant; no loud- speaker inside. So calmly, I simply waited ... and waited ... for five hours.
The author says that guiding her mother through the last year of her life was a great privilege, and her mom’s bravery during that time inspired her to be less afraid of facing her own death.
Finally, after unsuccessfully circumnavigating plentiful puddles, sideways rain and 350-plus travelers anxiously boxed in and awaiting news about missed connections or lightning delays (can’t board/deboard aircraft at an outdoor airport when lightning’s spotted; can’t refuel either), I glee- fully got onto a much-delayed flight, landing back at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport at 8 a.m. — a 13-hour day spent in the not-so-friendly skies simply to get back to where I started.
Think about it.
The Gift Of Responsibility
“Responsibility is the possibility of opportunity culminating in inevitable fulfillment.” — Sri Chinmoy
Her last months with us
Bing Crosby movies and sang along with him on TV. She also loved our outings around O‘ahu between treat- ments, and ate anything she wanted when able. In turn, I
KELLEY
learned much about her life through her wonderful sto- ries. Our talks and her brav- ery burnished all the rough edges of our relationship that may have remained. We be-
turned out to be delightful, for she remained joyful de- spite her discomfort. She loved to watch Japanese and
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
with Juliet Lee
As a lifetime impatient (not inpatient) person, I rationalized the realities of Mother Nature’s whims that Sunday. No point being upset. I remembered a favorite saying: “Don’t worry about things over which you have no control.” OK, I missed (arguably) the greatest World Cup soccer final ever — and three NFL games decided on the final play. But I did witness quality airport/airline employees making the best of a bad situation well out of their control, and (most importantly) earned those necessary miles to ensure that 2023 should be an enjoyable year of travel through trade-offs (for life surely is about trade-offs). Inconvenience today, more convenience tomorrow. My final 2022 trade-off. Happy New Year.
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com