The last time we were all there, it was for my daughter's high school graduation. Even my 76 year old mom-in-law made the trip from northern Germany. She is now 94, and nearly blind. We offered, but she said don't be silly, and she is content with her memories from last time.
In 1990, my parents had a great idea for their 40th anniversary. All three of their children, partners and grandchildren were invited for a week on St. John USVI. It was one hell of a long way for us, but of course we went. My parents had saved up for a while to do this, but wanted to do it no matter what. We were glad they got to put it together, as my dad was nearly fully eaten away by pancreatic cancer by the time their 50th anniversary arrived. Six weeks later, he was gone, and my mom followed him less than two years later.
Now, it's our turn. This year, from a legal standpoint, anyway, it's our 40th anniversary (my brother and I had a double wedding in Washington--looked like the UN, since his wife is from Japan and mine is from Germany). With my genetic make-up, I doubt I'll be around in ten years, so now is the time. I'm fine now, but so was my dad in 1990. I originally wanted to go to the Seychelles, but our US-based daughter has a baby son whose first birthday would come during the trip, and we could not, in good conscience, ask her (or him) to make a trip like that. For that matter, I don't even know if the Seychelles would let us in at this point.
So we opted to return to the Big Island, where we had such a great time at our younger daughter's high school graduation. Getting from Germany to Kona is a strenuous journey, and the way back is worse (two overnight flights!). Still, it is a wonderful place to visit and relax in. We used to stay in Waikoloa, and probably will again. Maybe get in another helicopter ride on a day trip to the Na Pali coast on Kaua'i, or a midnight dive with the manta rays. Our younger daughter, the one who was in school there, made good use of her intellect, and now earns many multiples of what I do. Any over-the-top living arrangements, she will take care of, pay for, and forbid any of the rest of us from helping out with the cost. She is a generous soul to begin with, and she never forgets who it was that blew all his inheritance cash on the education of his two daughters. That had always been my plan, so she owes me nothing, but thinks she does. Our own family kama'aina. I won't trample on her good intentions--she would be insulted if I did. We'll just smile and say Mahalo.
We are all twice vaxxed and once boosted, and have the dox to prove it. There will be quite a few of us. I hope those pineapple plantations on Oahu's north shore had a bumper crop!
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