Prayers for Hawaii

We spent almost two weeks on the Big Island a couple of years ago. A few days in Kona, which was nice, but very touristy so not our favorite, and the rest near Hilo Town in an ocean side home. Watching the whales and dolphins in our backyard was awesome. Visiting the tide pools and other sites fascinating. The Tsunamai Museum was amazing. We had a personal tour there with a gentleman who had lived through the 1960s tragedy. We purchased a book for Sam's school library and I'll never forget when our guide said "Your school has it's own library?" He was a retired teacher and his glimpses into the ugly side of Hawaii remain with me today.

How can paradise be ugly? Well, the poverty there is unbelievable. We continually had to remind ourselves that we were in the United States. Our tour guide said that so many who visit his island keep themselves to the resorts and tourist sites and, unlike us, do not explore the entire Big Island. Few see what we did and this has completely changed my opinion about Hawaiian tourism. So, when we worry about Hawaii, we think of the poor there. For they will be the ones most affected by the tsunamai.

Selfishly,we're also worried about Cafe100 in Hilo. If they get hit Loco Mocos and frozen mango drinks may be hard to come by for awhile. Thanks for the reminder D.

Say a little prayer.

Good News, It's Strep!

Sam was very sick over the weekend. It came on suddenly Saturday evening and I knew for sure that it wasn't Back-to-School-itis because he slept from 8 pm Sat. until 3:30 pm Sunday. Monday morning, we headed to the doctor because he was complaining of all the symptoms of meningitis. Terrible headache. Stiff and sore neck. Lethargy. High fever. No appetite.

No sore throat, no typical strep picture.

His doctor confirmed that my suspicions were valid, but I decided not to go all worst case scenario and wait until a strep test came back negative before I flipped out.

"Congratulations, it's Strep," she said as she came back into the room.

Thank God.

I was warned to continue to watch him for meningitis because of his neck symptoms and after two more sleepless nights, he's back on track and back to school.

I hated to send him, but I knew last night when he was "bored" and getting the sillies again that he was on the mend. Still, I wanted to keep him inside and away from the negative temps outside. I always find this one of the hardest parts of parenting, sending him back after being sick when he really could use a few more days of rest. But, that's life and my job is to teach Life 101.

So, on we go.

Time for me to play catch up. So, it's a pot of coffee in a commuter mug and off to run errands, clean the house, prep for confirmation, do laundry. I'll sleep when I'm dead.

One of our neighbors had a terrible house fire yesterday. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. Hopefully we can find some way to provide some help. Our entire block was lined with emergency vehicles from all over the area for several hours yesterday and there were plumbers, electricians, and carpenters there until late in the night to secure the house. I can't imagine.