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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
 Posted - 03/15/2010 : 7:05:29 PM
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Here is a story of a miracle.
My older sister, who is handicapped and obese, has always been told that she is fat and ugly. (Not from anyone in her direct family, though.) Last year, we took her to George's workshop on Maui to get her away from some very sad circumstances. She was not so sure, as she had only taken a few ukulele lessons and was terribly slow, and afraid she would be rejected again.
She was welcomed with open arms. Everyone was very kind, attentive and considerate of her. She took all the classes she had energy for, and played along with the nightly kani kapilas, with me prompting her on which chords to play. Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i serenaded her one luchtime after I thanked him for his encouraging words during a class. My sister was in 7th heaven because she had Uncle Richard's CDs and adored him.
My "fat, ugly, handicapped" sister got up to do a hula in front of everyone one night. I cried, realizing what a huge step that was for her...
In the middle of the week, her house was burglarized and vandalized. She got a phone call from the San Jose Police, and was thinking to return home to deal with the mess. When she recovered from the original shock, she decided she did not want to miss a day of the workshop, and so she stayed, performed at the Slack Key Festival with all of us, and relished every moment.
She is now taking ukulele classes from Saichi in San Jose, plays and sings along with everyone, dances hula in a halau, and can not wait for June to come around again, providing her ailing husband does not die between now and then...
What a difference we can make in someone's life if we just take the time and make the effort.
I write this with immense gratitude to everyone who may read this and was there cheering my sister on. Thanks to all of you, she has the strength to go on. See you in June! Cocktail hour on the Seawall!
Me ke aloha nui loa,
Julie
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 7:28:45 PM
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Mahalo for that story, Julie. In the years I was with a halau in Seattle, we had dancers who were quite momona, and I recall one dancer who had Down Syndrome. In another local halau, there was a dancer confined to a wheelchair, who remains seated when she dances on stage. They all dance from the heart - and are the embodiment of grace and beauty when they do.
Let the troupes who need to impress the tourists constrain themselves by only featuring slender model-types as performers; I prefer real hula dancers, female or male, any size or color or body type. |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 04:59:39 AM
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Hi Julie,
Thanks for sharing that. Very uplifting to hear your personal experience and how music can heal! |
Andy |
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salmonella
Lokahi
240 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 05:44:12 AM
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Wow Julie
Thank you for sharing that. Hey Wanda, pass the tissues huh?
Dave |
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rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 08:09:01 AM
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Wow! What a beautiful story. True aloha has no limits. Good thing Auntie Wanda keeps the tussues by the 'puter.
Unko Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 08:15:34 AM
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| I not crying over this one, I rejoicing. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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les_maverick
Lokahi
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 03/16/2010 : 1:01:16 PM
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Julie:
I have met your sister and she is a very nice person. She shared her experiences at the camp during some
down time at one of Uncle Saichi's workshops. I see her in the beginning class and seems to be moving
along pretty well. She seems to be getting involved many activities with the group.
Les |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2010 : 5:22:00 PM
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Aaahhh Les!
Don't tell her I posted about her, she would be mortified. She is quietly trying to re-invent herself, but anonymously...
Julie |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2010 : 5:59:26 PM
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| Is she coming again this year? |
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les_maverick
Lokahi
USA
238 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 11:26:11 AM
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No worries Julie, I'll just tell her that I have met you at a couple of the concerts in
Santa Cruz that you have decorated.
Les |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 8:44:15 PM
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Thank you Les!
Nancy, she is sooo ready for this camp I have trouble keeping her contained. Actually, it will be a miracle if we can all go since I'm out of work and my husband just changed jobs and took a huge cut in pay. I'm not sure we can go to all the workshops we enjoy annualy, but you know, life is good, we are all breathing and vertical!
Hallelujah! Cocktails on the seawall!
Julie |
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Bwop
Lokahi
USA
244 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2010 : 07:00:00 AM
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| "cocktails on the seawall" = horizontal |
Bwop |
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garson
Lokahi
USA
112 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 4:58:01 PM
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| Aloha Julie, Connie and I remember your sister fondly and hope to see all of you again. We just booked both camps this year. We are bit bit worried that all the excitement will be too much for us. Please at least come to George's in June! Aloha to y'all Connie and Jim |
Jim Garson |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2010 : 7:41:50 PM
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Jim, Connie,
I think you'll be just fine. It won't be the first year you are overdoing it. Remember Moloka'i? I will see you on Maui, I would have to be on my deathbed to miss it!
Hugs, Julie |
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wdf
Ha`aha`a
USA
1154 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2010 : 06:22:35 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Julie H
Jim, Connie,
I think you'll be just fine. It won't be the first year you are overdoing it. Remember Moloka'i? I will see you on Maui, I would have to be on my deathbed to miss it!
Hugs, Julie
Great news, Julie! I will be there too.
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Dusty |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2010 : 8:03:16 PM
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Oh goody, Dusty!
It's always a pleasure to see you! Looking forward to it.
Hugs, Julie |
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Topic |
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George Kahumoku Jr workshop's miracle
