Monday, November 10, 2008

Puking for Peggy!

It was the best of times...it was the worst of times. OK, it wasn't the worst of times, but we did fill over 20 barf bags between us all on the way over to Maui on the Superferry yesterday! But I really am getting ahead of myself...let's start at the beginning...Saturday night's Smores and Pajamas party! Jason did an awesome job of getting the party started...he borrowed this awesome above ground fire pit from his neighbor and fired up the grill. We grilled, ate, drank, and made Smores in the backyard! So fun. Shelly brought her guitar and I hear that there was singing and talking all night...in fact, Mata and Shelly slept over and pretty much stayed up all night. Don't expect to get much sleep at a sleepover if Shelly Mecum is your bed-mate! Ha!

Sunday morning, Marvel came over before sunrise to get Peggy up in her chair and out the door by 5:45am! Adrienne, our faithful driver and dear friend, accompanied us on this adventure! We all met at the Superferry around 6:45am...there were 17 of us - me, Kelly and Pepper, Rhea, Kelsey Sears, Martha Torney, Fortuna, John Richard (Peg's bro), Nurse Cory and her Mother-in-law Joan, Ania, Betsy, Shelly Mecum, Mata, Adrienne, Marvel, and Peggy.

Let's just say that our visions of this trip were a bit different than what transpired. I think we all pictured ourselves partying and laughing, gaily sailing with Peggy, a heart-warming "Make a Wish" dream come true. It was definitely like that for about 45 minutes while we waited to leave port. Then we set out to sea. At first it was OK, but within 20 minutes, we all started to feel it. Some of us moved to the middle of the boat to see if it was better. Some tried to get air outside on the deck. Cory curled up on the ground. Kelsey and Shelly were uncharacteristicly silent. Fortuna disappeared.

Word started to spread around about who had vomited. We were dropping like flies. Thankfully Peggy and Marvel did fine. Martha too. And John, Betsy, and Mata did pretty good too. It began to mellow out in the middle and so most of us reconvened around Peggy. We laid around playing trivial pursuit and then even more fun...Peggy Chun trivia...the whole ship was clearly feeling it...the amazing Superferry staff rushed around handing out soda crackers, gingerale, and big plastic biohazard bags to put our barf bags in...We were doing pretty good and then it started again...we filled more bags.

By the time we got to Maui, we were all puked out. Some went to get air. Kelly and Pepper went to Burger King. It was just so hilarious that we weren't even going to do anything on Maui, just turn right around for more.

Thankfully, our kolohe (rascal) Mata had planned a surprise for Peggy. The night before she had arranged for Kapono'ai Molitau, son of the late Kumu John Lake, to come on board the Superferry to see Peggy. While we were docked for 45 minutes in Maui, he came on the ship and did a beautiful pule (prayer/chant) especially for Peggy at this special time in her life. It was very moving and surreal. It brought tears to our eyes and I think that the only thing that kept us from totally breaking down was the fact that Peggy was dressed as a penguin!

The ride back to Oahu was thankfully much smoother. The Captain and the First Officer were so wonderful and they kept coming and checking on Peggy and all of us. On the way home, they took us by Kalaupapa (something they do only 10% of the time, weather/sea conditions permitting). We rolled Peggy up to the window to get a good view of Mokokai and Kalaupapa...there was a beautiful mist falling down in the mountains of Molokai. Betsy said it best as we passed by the mountains and neared Kalaupapa...it was so "majestic".

So, not the day we had envisioned...but if there is one thing we've learned all these years, you can plan all you want, but sometimes life has something else in mind. Even though I personally filled 2 bags, I wouldn't have missed it...it sort of felt like laying around totally hungover with great friends after a really great party...a pretty appropriate analogy I think. It definitely was an adventure none of will forget...and that was the goal, after all.

Check out our photos from the Superferry (and some others of recent visitors and our Smores and Pajamas night) here Peg's Legs on Shutterfly

1 comment:

Andy said...

I MUST say after Kimi's very appealing description of the day, I would've been FOOL ENOUGH to join you had I read my e-mail soon enough! I hold title to all time "QUEEN PUKSTER"!! Sorry I missed the opportunity to retain my crown! Do we know WHO took the new title?? Andy