The other day, Mele Kalikimaka came on the radio. I immediately teared up. It was an unexpected reaction to a very simple song that I didn’t realize I had such a strong connection to. Throughout the song I was taken back to many a Christmas in Hawaii. A childhood filled with tons of family-time and traditions. I was born in Hawaii, lived there until I graduated from high school. My Dad was born there as well which made it so I had cousins and grandparents that lived on the island near us. We grew up close, our extended family spent every major holiday together and created many memorable memories and long lasting traditions–Christmas was far from the exception.
As I listened to the song play I remembered the smell of the water that ran down the rocks in Grandma and Grandpa’s house. The excitement of being “backstage” as the grand-kids prepared to act out the nativity. Putting on Santa hats and singing “I’m Getting Nuttn’ for Christmas” with our names subbed in. Yearly words of wisdom and expressions of love from Grandpa. Christmas morning brunch complete with scones and honey butter. The year grandma made jams for all the boys and the year she made us all our own plates.
The song ended and I left my walk down memory lane. I am excited for new Christmas traditions with my family wherever I live in the future. Although I have to admit, there is still a part of me that wishes for Christmas in “the land where palm trees sway”.
Miss you Hawaii.
The following 6 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
It must be so different living in Hawaii and coming to snow and cold.
BTW, your blog isn’t updating on Bloglines.
sniff sniff. thanks for taking me on your little walk. i’ve been thinking about “the old days” a lot. we had good times didn’t we!? it’s so fun that we all have those memories together. i think it is part of what makes our family so close.
merry christmas! i hope i get to see you while we’re in utah!
Okay, I’ve never lived in Hawaii…I’ve never even been to Hawaii…and now I miss Hawaii too!
You’ve made me miss Hawaii too, and I’ve never been there!
It’s funny.. life that is. Mele Kalikiaka came on the radio this morning as I was driving to work.. and INSTANTLY, I thought of you. And while the song played, I found myself dreaming of all the things you may have done on Christmas in Hawaii. BBQ on the beach? Running through the grass w/out shoes on… and thinking of how very different it would be to have grown up with a Hawaiian Christmas.. rather than an Idaho one. Nonetheless, it made me think of you, and how much I miss my Queenie….and how very grateful I am that regardless of where I’m at for Christmas, it’s wonderful friends like you who will always be in my heart and thoughts.
Sure do love you.
Take heart that wherever you are, you are not far from kids singing “I’m getting Nuttin’ for Christmas.” I just led a pile of 2nd graders with names changed this afternoon. We’ve got the stuffed frog, Tommy eating a bug and a prat bat hit too. You may not be “there” but the traditions continue and are that because of your part in them.