Adventures in Paradise 68

Adventures in Paradise 68

Kia Orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with thoughts on what I would like people here to know before we leave this island. Many of us have had the unnerving experience of finding ourselves in a particular situation where the appropriate response eludes us.  Later frustration sets in as the perfect retort finally manifests itself, only to arrive too late to do us any good. The moment has passed and we are left with the ideal response to a situation that no longer exists. Being the queen of the missed opportunity, I am considering now, six weeks before our release date, what I would like to say to those we will be leaving behind. There are of course, the usual “I Love You” and “I will Miss You”, sentiments, but beyond that, what is it that I would like our dear friends here to remember?

I want them to know that we truly love them and have felt loved in return. We are now beginning the process of individual visits that provide us with the opportunity to spend private time with those with whom we have shared so much. We want them to know that we have appreciated being treated like family. We are grateful for the many acts of kindness that have come our way. We value the ties we will always have with each our “Rarotongan relatives”.  We hold dear those relationships that will stand the test of time and separation.  We care for our friends here more than we would have thought possible and it is breaking my heart to leave children who will begin walking and talking without us.

So, what would I like our friends to know? If we had one last opportunity to speak to those we love, what might we wish to say? How can we best share what is in our hearts? 

Thank you Jake, for meeting ever incoming international flight for the last thirty years. Your singing and ukelele playing is the first way that visitors know that they are welcome. We are grateful to know you and call you our friend.

We are grateful for experiencing the beauty of your world. Thank you for sharing it with us.

We are grateful for having learned about a culture where time has very little meaning. Thank you for teaching us the value of slowing down.

We are grateful that so many visited our home. Thank you for the opportunity to get to know you all.

We are grateful that you have allowed us to be part of your families. Thank you for the opportunity of loving your beautiful children.

We are grateful for the bounties of this island. Thank you for teaching us how to know when a breadfruit is ripe. Delicious!

We are grateful for all of the warm welcomes. Thank you for teaching us how to kiss on the cheek!

We are not certain that we are grateful for the Minah birds, but thank you for telling us their story.

We are grateful to see friends make a positive change. Thank you for the sweetness of those experiences.

We are grateful that Ward made it safely all around your island on his bicycle. Thank you for your honks and waves and shouts of support. Go Elder!! (His time was just under two hours)

We are grateful for the reminder of new beginnings. Thank you for sharing your island with us and showing us where to look.

We are grateful for a peaceful end of the day. Thank you for teaching us that the best color arrives about ten minutes after the sun has set. We have learned not to turn our backs too soon. I suppose that could be a metaphor for life, yes?

We are grateful for all of the meals we have shared with you. Thank for your generosity.

We are grateful for the gifts from your ocean. Thank you for teaching us about crayfish.

We are grateful for the beautiful surroundings. Thank you for helping us to appreciate it all.

We are grateful for moonlit nights. Thank you for sitting and visiting with us on our veranda on those quiet evenings.

We are grateful for the respect you have for your anscestors. Thank you for helping us to appreciate our own families more profoundly.

We are grateful for all those who have greeted us warmly. Thank you for loving us.

So, as always we are happy and trying to work hard. We realize now that we won't need to worry that we have neglected to say the perfect last word, if we continue to let our dear friends know that we are grateful and that we love them. That would seem to be enough, don't you think? 

Love, Ward and Susan                              Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cooks