Those we love have passed on.

I have a thought that comes to me every time I am pregnant. . . "those we love leave this life to make room for the lives of our children." 

When I was pregnant with Kanalu my dear Uncle Tommy passed away and during that time I prayed that my child could only be so blessed with the love of his 'ohana and talents in music that my Uncle possessed. 

A year and a half later I was pregnant with Kolu and during my pregnancy I was able to go to Hawaii and meet my Grandparents there for a family reunion.  Kanalu got to meet my Grandpa Baptiste and loved stealing his cane.  I'm grateful to have those little memories because a couple months later after we found out that Kolu was a boy my Grandpa passed away and then right before Kolu was born my favorite Uncle "Mac" Arthur Pacheco passed away.  In my heart I hoped that Kolu would be blessed with my grandpa's patience and my Uncle Mac's sense of humor.

Then while I was pregnant with  Keiko my favorite Aunty Chiyoko passed away and therefore I felt the need to give Keiko a Japanese name.  Aunty Chiyoko always had something to do. . . she used to make ceramics. . . I still have a few of the things she has made me. . . she was a volunteer police officer. . . she danced hula and was very involved in her community.  She also was such funny lady. . . I think humor runs in the Fuchigami family. . . there is always something to make fun of!  I pray that Keiko has the same love of life that Aunty Chiyoko had.

So now I'm pregnant again and yes there has been yet another passing in my family and in Piko's family too.  Piko's Aunty Haunani Kaili passed away this month as well as my Uncle Bryan Baptiste.  I got to know Aunty Haunani during our Niau family reunion in Vegas when I was pregnant with Keiko.  She is such a graceful woman and loves her hawaiian hertiage. . . she has a beautiful oli voice and dances hula so lovingly.  She also has a great devotion to family history work.  I wish I had more time to spend with her getting to know her and discovering her other talents.  Within a week of Aunty Haunani's passing my Uncle Bryan passed away.  He was the mayor of Kaua'i.  He was such a people person.  He would go to everyone's parties on Kauai to say hi and get a bite to eat of course.  I got to spend some time with him when I was pregnant with Kolu. . . he treated us to lunch at this little Portuguese bakery/restaurant across from the county building.  I'm taking Piko there in two weeks for some Pocho sweet bread and Pocho bean soup. So naturally I pray that our little Lynea is blessed with Aunty Haunani's grace, love for her culture and ancestors and with Uncle Bryan's love for the people she lives amongst.