Going to the Big Island

The last trip we took with mom was in 2015 when we traveled to Seattle and Vancouver, Canada to see the Butchart Gardens. We were able to visit Skagit Valley and meet bloggers, DJan and Linda who were so very kind to Mom. We also loved spending time with friends, Patty and Paul and really had a wonderful trip that mom still loves to think about. I often see her looking at the photobook we made for her.

Since that time, she's really not wanted to travel anymore. She says the long flights to Japan are too exhausting for her. For a time, we contemplated California but she's not wanted to leave home.

Art felt it was important to get her out of her usual routine and to enjoy a new adventure. She was still reluctant to travel so we told mom it was a good time to pay our respects to Art's parents at the columbarium in Honokaa. That was motivation enough for her. We knew she didn't want to be gone for a long trip so we settled on four days. This trip would be all about creating an experience that mom would enjoy. We regretfully would not visit relatives or friends because of the language barrier.

Just before our trip, mom's younger sister was rushed to the hospital and had brain surgery. We visited her there before we left and brought an album of photos to stimulate memories of her life. It was a shockingly happy surprise when my cousin arrived, pointed at me and asked, "Who is that?" Auntie Dorothy answered, "Kay." I was so touched!

We were also expecting our niece to be born in the middle of April. Mom would have her 3rd great grandchild to look forward to. March was ending with feelings of worry and anticipation.

And so our trip began.