Dick's Celebration of Life

[Kathleen808]

Dear Friends,
Tomorrow it will be one week since Dick passed away. It seems very, very surreal in so many ways. We have had family and friends loving on us in abundance and we are very grateful. We had Dick's Celebration of Life yesterday on the beach by our house and it was a beautiful event. I know that he loved it. We all gathered on the beach while musicians played Hawaiian music. Everyone formed a circle and our pastor spoke about his friendship with Dick and said a beautiful prayer. A dear friend wrote and Oli for Dick and chanted it. It is incredible. I have posted it at the bottom. Our family got into two boats and some got into the beautifully decorated canoes. People came out on Hawaiian canoes, stand up boards and surfboards. We went out between the beach and beautiful islands off our beach and our pastor, who was on his surfboard prayed again. Our daughter and I released Dick's ashes into the beautiful ocean. After a bit I went in and swam and others joined us. It was so lovely. After awhile we headed back to the beach and had a wonderful breakfast at the park. His slide show played and showed some special times in Dick's life. It was so wonderful I know that Dick would have (did) loved it.
People have started to leave the island. My mom is staying for 2 more weeks and then my aunt comes for a week. Friends and neighbors are standing by to help. I feel the love but miss Dick very much.
I am trying to post a picture from his service but I really have no idea how to do it. If this doesn't work, I would love for someone to write and tell me what to do.
Mahalo.

Aloha,
Kathleen




Ke oli no Richard

August 21, 2014

Lanikai Beach

Kaʻōhao, Kailua, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi

By Emma for my dear friend, Kathleen, and her ʻohana in honor of Richard


Kū kilakila ka mauna o Kaʻōhao

The mountain of Kaʻōhao [traditional name of Lanikai] stands majestically

Haʻahaʻa ke kai ʻōlinolino

The gleaming sea is low

Lapalapa ke kai i nā Mokulua

The ocean rises and swells and Mokulua [Mokulua Nui, Mokulua Iki]

Pā mai ka lā

The sun shines down

Pā mai ka mahina

The moon shines down

Pā mai ke aloha

Love is felt and experienced

Hoʻopuni ʻia e nā pali

Surrounded by the cliffs

Hoʻopuni ʻia e ke kai

Surrounded by the sea

Hoʻopuni ʻia e ke aloha

Surrounded by love

Ke aloha ke Akua

The love of God

Ke aloha ke kāne

The love of man [symbolic of your husband]

Ke aloha ka wahine

The love of woman [symbolic of you]

Ke aloha nā pua

The love of the flowers [symbolic of your daughters]

Moe i ka maluahia

Rest in peace

Ka maluhia ke aloha

Peace and love

A Mau loa

Forever

Aloha ē

Aloha



[img]1795771_840575669288092_1395997737747807026_n.jpg[/img]

[raym]

Sounds like a beautiful ceremony. I was boogie boarding a week ago Friday and thought of Dick. The way I post pictures is to put them up on a photo sharing site (flickr, photo bucket, etc), then use the Img button and insert an http link to the picture. Even with that it takes some trial and error to get the right link as there are different ways to share a photo link. It takes me several times to get it right.

[raym]

I hope you don't mind but I had seen some of your photos on facebook (from a mutual CC FB friend). I downloaded a few and have posted. I have been to that beach before a long time ago. So you can post more I used sharing option on the photo and copied the BBCode link. I've also used the Img link above but that always takes trial and error to get the right information. I imagine every photo sharing site does it differently as far as getting the links.

10557472_10202729974035923_2629816870125696076_n by rmichels20022002, on Flickr

1907782_10202729957755516_7396306988512556727_n by rmichels20022002, on Flickr

1380602_10202730670173326_6698706625666923702_n by rmichels20022002, on Flickr

10340067_10202730672213377_4656202209439438424_n by rmichels20022002, on Flickr

10430480_10202730787376256_6206514276833279782_n by rmichels20022002, on Flickr

[midlifemom]

Kathleen, a beautiful ceremony and way to say good bye. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Delinda]

Dear Kathleen, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful tribute to your loving husband. That had to be both difficult and cathartic to write. I've thought of you and the family so often the past week especially. The photos are amazing. It's easy to see how much Dick is loved. Blessings for you and the girls, as well as your family and friends. The months ahead will be so challenging, but we are here for you forever. Rest gently Dick & enjoy the ocean you love. Aloha. XXOXO, Delinda

[tammylayne]

Oh Kathleen...I struggle to find my words. What a beautiful Celebration of LOVE and Life for Dick. From your description and the photos, it felt like a loving transition, not a goodbye.
I can only imagine your pain and sadness, I truly hope your amazing love and memories bring you some comfort. Know that he is with you...always...

So many gentle hugs to you and your family...

[Val*pal]

Kathleen,
What a wonderful celebration for Dick. I'm sure he loved it. I feel Danny's presence with me more and more since his passing in June. I always believed that love never dies, and I now believe that souls don't either.

Val

[pmterra]

A very beautiful tribute to a man who is loved and cared about very much. May you and your daughter feel the peace and healing of your wonderful man. God Bless you!

[Valorie]

Kathleen - What a beautiful celebration of life. It is clear your dear husband was well loved.

Valorie

[skypup]

What a beautiful way to celebrate the end of a good life! The oli was so beautiful, do you think your friend would mind if I used it in my own memorial?
Kathleen, I know the beauty of the day and the love of friends and family doesn't undo the grief of losing your loved partner, yet I sense it gives you something soft an pd strong to lean into. I'm glad for that.
Aloha, lots of aloha...

[Kathleen808]

Thank you raym. <3

[ANDRETEXAS]

Beautiful day.....beautiful ceremony......beautiful life...... Having been to Hawaii several times. I can feel the emotion as I look at those pictures. Hard to describe in words, so I won't.

[Phuong]

Truly, what an incredible way to celebrate Dick's life. I'm sure that it was exactly as he wanted it. Blessings and peace to you and your daughter.

[orcasres]

Thanks so much for sharing all of this. I hope you continue to find peace and feel his love for you and your family. Lois

[pollo65]

Kathleen,
What a beautiful ceremony. The sky and bay seemed to express that a beautiful person was joining in their beauty and strength. Peace to you and your family.
Pollo 65