In honor of all the men and women who have served our country and died for our country during wartime!

The following link is for those who would like to read a brief history about Memorial Day!

You're "Everything".  This is a true story about the relationship I have with my son, Michael and his homecoming from serving in the United States Navy.

Michael went into the US Navy when he was 19 years old and he was stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk for the preceding 4 years before coming home last July 2006. This tour of duty on the Kitty Hawk commenced after going through school and training for 2 years in Virginia.

On March 19, 2003 it was my son's 22nd birthday. (He just turned 26 this past March) He was stationed on the USS Kitty Hawk and on this day in the Persian Gulf.  This was Day One of the War in Iraq. As any mother would, I cried. My whole life felt shatter at that moment that I was listening to the news and the announcement of declaring war on Iraq. Some birthday for Michael. Silently, I wept inside for my first born child. Only a mother knows what this feels like. Our whole being stops still for a moment while contemplating how life is going to go on knowing my son is in imminent danger.

I didn't hear from Michael for about three months until his email arrived in my Inbox. WooHoo! He was back in Japan! Throughout his time on the "Kitty Hawk" he spent 6 or more months of every year out at sea and every time he did not email I thought he was on his way back to the Persian Gulf.  

My son never failed to collect things along his travels for me and the rest of his family and when he came for Christmas in 2004 he brought it all! He even collected all these Snoopy bells he collected for me every time he went to McDonald's! From Austrailia, to Hong Kong, to Guam to Korea and back to Japan he had boxes of gifts for all of us.  This is my thoughtful son. And again, the feeling of loneliness when he left to go back to Japan.

A few months later I received an email from Michael that was so heartwrenching I cried and cried and got frantic for a return response. We went back and forth for awhile and then after that for the next few days. The title of the email was "Apologies and Heavy Thoughts" and because I will protect the privacy of my son and this email by not going into detail.....I will only share the last few lines.... (yes, I kept all his emails) of his rambling state of 6 long paragraphs.

I love you all so much, I just have such a hard time saying it.

Please stay with me as long as you can.  I promise I'll do my best to do the same.

Michael

Basically, he was thinking about if he did not get back before one of his family may have passed away he wanted me to know (he didn't send it to anyone but me) that he was sorry for not keeping in touch as often as he should and that he loved me and everyone.

Last year on Mother's Day 2006 I received a HUGE email from my son with an attachment.  No other words in the email ...but "Attachment". PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS SONG "EVERYTHING"...BY LIFEHOUSE.  THIS WAS FROM MY SON.

And then Michael came home on July 3, 2006.....For good.

Following are additional articles which are full of information for Hawaii as well! 

HAWAIIAN Spirits and Superstitions

Blogging about "VOG" in Hawaii

Visitor and Newcomer Safety Tips for Hawaii!