Perspective

There were nights in Guam when I would audibly gasp at the amazing expanse above me. We would lie on the trampoline in the backyard for hours just star gazing.

Tonight was one of those kind of nights here in Hawaii. A beautiful clear evening giving me pause to look up in wonder at the skies.

When the lights are off, the stars are easier to see.

Galileo admitted, “I've loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."
I find comfort in this space.
I've concluded that “in the dark” should no longer be a synonym for ignorance and confusion. Tonight, it’s my doorway into clarity.
Reflection is all I have to do.

I have been reflecting on how my mom influenced our lives; on how the family celebrations will now change; and on the legacy we leave when what matters least takes a rightfully distant back seat to what matters most in life.

It's natural to resist Life's Tragedies with everything you have, but when you are inside them you get a different sense of what is important. What is sacred.
Some would say moments like these are a break from reality, but I have it the other way around.
I think life's real moments are those when we're sometimes brought to this place of pain.
I think we have a way of getting a certain perspective.
You want to hug your kids and be home when you can.
That to me, that's reality.
We just forget it when we get caught up in what it takes to get through every day.
Life has a way of toughening us up so we can do what we need to do, but we pay a price for it.

Light reflects on the memories contained as our family's faces smile out into the un-familiar future.
Shadow streaks alongside light, reminiscent of the woman whose presence will appear this upcoming year only in memory.
It's time for me to count the stars.

Another Service Night?

A large portion of David's mission while here at US Pacific Fleet has been planning Pacific Partnership 2010. (PP '10)

The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Partnership is the dedicated humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility.

Pacific Partnership is designed to strengthen alliances, improve U.S. and partner capacity to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and improve security cooperation among partner nations.

A project that is near and dear to our hearts.

We've been very aware of the mission of Pacific Partnership in years past due to the experiences we had while living in Guam. Not only were we in close proximity to the mission (neighboring islands out in the middle of nowhere!) - but many years we had multiple friends deploy for this specific cruise.

So why am I bringing this up?

David's Pacific Partnership meetings lately have taken on a different tone. A lot of the NGO's (non-governmental organizations) have depleted many of their resources due to the extreme need in Haiti.
Of all the organizations that routinely participate, only the LDS Church has been able to confirm they will be able to fulfill their original commitment to PP '10. Specifically mentioned - Humanitarian Kits.

I thought that was worth bringing to your attention.
All those boring service project nights whether it be through Relief Society, YW, Scouts or Activity Days - loading those Ziploc bags while yawning the night away . . . . it really does make a difference.

Here's a link to last years Pacific Partnership