In Peace

Today we lost a member of our family. The world lost a WWII veteran. We share the sadness and hold the memories of which we were all a part, we will be brought closer together. We will cry and laugh and rejoice together. He had gone in peace and our hearts will be at peace. Many stories will be told about him. The youngest generation got to see him and witness the family love surrounding him. They will recall the time they flew across the country to spend one full day with him. Their mother had chosen the right date.

Disney 2019

July came and July’s gone
But our memories linger on
We had fun in rain or shine
In blistering feet or sweltering heat
Under ponchos or soaking wet
We didn’t complain nor did we pout
Rides got cancelled? We didn’t slow down
We made them up next time around
We never mind repeating rides
If in riding pleasure we found
We changed the rules and fixed the times
We skipped our naps if that’s required
We set the pace that few can match
We had the fervor many desire
We welcomed Ông who came this year
With anticipation and without fear
We raised a toast in celebration
For the Prodigal Son’s inspiration

Emotions

What if evil wins
When Superman can’t save the day
Don’t we all yearn for
Justice and Love prevailing
Will we continue to fight
When evil threatens to win
Who will drop a tear
If things don’t go our way
Can I turn away
And pretend nothing bothers me
If I make a cry
Will anyone really hear
Will I be drown out
In the battle cries for victory
I pray for the strength
My raw emotions will carry me

Collage #52

It is a pleasure
To see you grow each day
To witness the journey
We’re a part of yet far away
It is a delight
To be holding you tight
Though not as often as we like
We love being caught in your collages
It is our wish
One day we will be close
In distance and in all
Things that truly matter
As we await
Our next reunion
At the usual place each summer
Do have a wonderful time

I Am a Boy

I am a boy and I have long hair
I’d ride a purple dragon if one were near
I’d catch a horned lizard and take it with me
On the road to find the Lion King that has disappeared
Wherever I go I’ll bring books for read
A soccer ball for kick plus sushi for eats
I’ve learned so much in the year just passed
I am still a boy and I have long hair

You Will Be Missed

It was expected

And yet unexpectedly

I heard the news

My friend had left

I have in my mind

The memories of a trip

We took together

And friendship formed

As easy as pie

You were unpretended

You were kind

I liked you

And your ideals

I am so sad

We will no longer meet

A road trip spoken

And not taken

With you and Anh

You will be missed

By many

Your life has touched

So many

May peace be with your family

And angels keep them under watch

Your legacy lives on

And the world’s enriched

Epic New Zealand Road Trip - Karangahake and Hot Water Beach

Feb 16th & 17th
The kitchen provided us with cereals, bread, and coffee for breakfast. We ate and took it easy before checking out. We decided to skip the Hobbiton and went for a Windows Walk hike at Karangahake Gorge.

After the walk, we went across the street for lunch at a picturesque setting where we saw a 20-million-year-old petrified tree from Indonesia. We shared desserts and it was hard to pick among the many delicious-looking choices, but we managed. 

We drove on to Hot Water Beach in Hahei, our last stay in New Zealand, about three hours away. We checked in, rented a shovel, and took a bus to town where we began our walk to Cathedral Cove. Liên and I went into the water and that felt very good because the weather was hot. Even though we were short on time to catch the last bus, we made sure to stop at both Stingray Bay and Gemstone Bay on our way back. We didn’t miss the bus. 

We had the most ordinary dinner of all dinners we had in New Zealand: fish and chips. Then we set out for the Hot Water Beach two hours before low tide. We were lucky because we found an empty dug-out spot that was big enough for the four of us. We lay down side by side and enjoyed the hot water coming up from underneath. We used our shovel now and then to dig deeper and get more warm water. What surprised us was that the water temperature can vary quite a bit depending on where you sit. Water could be comfortable in one spot, and yet a bit too warm if we moved one body over. We lay in our “hot tub” and enjoyed listening to the waves while looking up at the stars and moon. 

We regretted having to leave, but we had to go eventually. In the morning when we dropped Debbie off at the office to check out, we talked about leaving her there and driving off to the airport without her, because she was sad about ending the vacation and leaving New Zealand. But that didn’t happen. All of us made it to the airport to return the car and fly out. The four of us split up into three flights. When Debbie and I got to LAX, we had to get our luggage to go through customs. At that point, we decided to keep our luggage with us. When we got to our home airport, I got a message from American Airlines telling me that our luggage was delayed. But that didn’t matter. We had made the right decision.