Rebekah’s Studio

Some days like yesterday are bittersweet, yet worth mentioning.

In the morning I attended the memorial service of my eldest living first cousin, Doreen Chong Yuen, age 95. She was the daughter of my mother’s eldest brother, Uncle Kim Fong Chong, and Sarah Yap. I joined two of my 3G cousins at the service, Nathan and Audrey Helen; the three of us are children of the three youngest members of the 2G Chongs. (Are you following?!) 2G is the second generation to be born of immigrants from China. And my grandmother gave birth to 15 children.

Everything was maikaʻi (good), but it was a sober reminder that I won’t live forever. If cousin Doreen’s long-life genes are from the Chong side, I look forward to many more good years.

In the evening I attended my friend Cynthia’s new-moon soirée for a sharing of things we each wanted to “release” and “manifest.” We each wrote two lists and burned them in the campfire, one at a time.

Cynthia’s current challenge with breast cancer was the impetus for the gathering. She wanted to be with friends, I felt, so each woman’s friendship circle widened; there were women who we had not met previously.

We shared a meal, recipes, wine, and health experiences, too.

As always, everyone, be well.

~Rebekah 

Maʻafala, the Samoan and Tongan breadfruit variety, apparently has cherished value. The tree I planted from a pot is bearing well now. This year’s first round of picking went to the residents of our immediate neighborhood. The second round was distributed to my friend Taueva, who is Tongan—she offered me money and I told her the breadfruit was a gift, Caroline who refilled my bag with bananas and cucumbers, cousin Julie who refilled my other bag with cookies and crackers, and artist friend Esperance who presented me with his original oil painting of outrigger canoes at Kailua Beach. So generous! I am loving the notion of trading.

I’m grateful for the blessings.

Be well.

~Rebekah