What a Weekend!

I don't even know where to start. I am writing this from home and the kids (and Eric) are still sleeping. It has been a LONG and wonderful weekend, but it is nice to be sitting here, back in our own home and reality, with a cup of hot coffee and some quiet. We got back home yesterday afternoon after staying the weekend at Hale Pohaku, the beautiful beach house in Waimanalo where we had Peggy's Celebration of Life Luau.

Friday's service was so perfect. I don't think things could have run any smoother. Oh, except that one mistake we made on the program - we didn't have Eric listed as a speaker! Oops! And that is after proofing it twice! The first time we proofed it we sent it off to be printed before Elroy had a chance to look it over and graciously point out that we had left him off of the list of Peggy's surviving ohana. Double oops. Luckily we caught in time before it went to print...and it worked out just fine at the service, Suzanne Maurer ran around before the service letting people know where Eric would speak.

The music at the service was breathtaking. And the church looked so beautiful. I know that Peggy had a hand in the timing of everything because since it was December they had decorated the church with wreaths and other Christmas decor...Peggy would have just LOVED it. All of the speakers, led by the calm and eloquent Chaplain Clarence Liu, were perfect and nailed their presentations. I am hoping that I'll be able to get some of the speeches from everyone and Elroy's eulogy to share here on the blog because they were so beautifully written and very funny and poignant.

The other great news is that Suzanne Maurer arranged for a videographer to record the services, so we will soon have that to share with family who couldn't attend the services and we can have a copy to share at the house. Hopefully all of you saw the coverage both in the papers and on the news. They did a great job of sharing some of the highlights of the day like Malia's singing (with John McCreary on the organ), Jim's "Coincidence" song, Keola and Moana doing "Green Rose Hula", Marvel (and Hanna and Shelly) in penguin costumes, and all the love (and costumes!) that filled the church. I have to also say how proud I am of Eric's speech - he did the most amazing job! Not a dry eye in the house! I know he made Peggy proud up there.

It was so wonderful to see so much family and so many friends, old and new. It was so fun to visit with everyone before and after the services...a reunion of sorts and the mood was definitely light as we kissed, hugged, laughed, and remembered with each other...truly the church celebration that Peggy always wanted.

Then it was off to Waimanalo to let our hair down and REALLY celebrate the way Peggy would! The decorating committee did an awesome job of setting up the yard. Peggy's luau requests specifically said, "lots of twinkly lights" and they absolutely accomplished that!

I said a few words at the luau before Suzanne's pule (prayer). I'll sum up what I said here for those that missed it because we mean it with all of our heart:

The family would like to to express our deep gratitude to the people that made today possible. To all the volunteers who assisted us here and at the church. To Mike Sitch for the use of this amazing house that is so Peggy. To all of the musicians, all of Peggy’s favorites entertaining us tonight. And also to the family that flew all the way to be here to day – Peggy’s dad, Joe, her brothers Peter and Mike, and her cousins Putter and Rip.

And of course, we want to acknowledge our amazing Peggy Chun Memorial Committee who put all of their hearts into planning the service and this luau. Pat Gamble, Conne Sutherland, Pokey Richardson, Julie Percell, Mata Rubinstein, Suzanne Maurer, Lynn Cook, Malia Ka’ai and our dedicated office girls - Karen Lillinoe & Kelly Jones.

When Peggy was diagnosed with ALS, one of the first things she did was plan her service and the luau to follow. I laugh when I think about how excited she was envisioning all the details of today – it was by far the easiest way for her to begin to accept her diagnosis since it was her favorite thing to do – plan a party!

The Committee did such an incredible job of planning a memorial service and luau for Peggy that truly exceeded any expectations – even Peggy’s own! This is above and beyond anything we could have hoped for. I can’t tell you what a gift it has been for them to take the lead on the planning, allowing the family to process the loss of Peggy without the added anxiety of all the work and organization of details that it took to make today possible. Their concern for our emotional and physical strength at this time has been so heart-warming and so appreciated – without them, none of this would have happened…and because of them we were able to fulfill these last (always elaborate) wishes of Peggy’s.

It always struck me as so odd that she planned today with the zest and detail of someone who would be attending the event…but now I get it…this is what she had envisioned…all of us here, celebrating who she was, carrying on her love for life, love for friends, and love for great parties where those two things come together.

And Peggy is here. You can feel her presence, feel her pride, and feel her laughing and loving each minute of this.

At this point we raised our glasses in a toast to Peggy. We counted to three and at the top of our lungs said together, "WE LOVE YOU, PEGGY!"

The rest of the party was spent dancing to Don Tiki (with Jason on the drums), eating the ono Hawaiian food that Peggy would have devoured - especially her favorite - opihi! And of course there was lots of talking and drinking! At about 9pm we broke everything down - we had an amazing group volunteers helping.

There were quite a few of us who slept over and I think I'll just leave it to everyone's imagination to envision what the after-party was like. Let me just say that we all made Peggy proud partying in her honor. Let me also say that the Richards are notorious for their partying skills (and loud voices). And I will graciously leave out any incriminating descriptions of "Legs Gone Wild" since I'm pretty sure our new motto should be "What Happens in Waimanalo, Stays in Waimanalo".

On Saturday, we gathered to spread (some of) Peggy's ashes in the ocean. We were blessed to have Manu join us (the kind man who came to Peggy's services to blow the conch shell) and he led us down to the water with conch blowing and chanting. We were all, of course, in costume. Then Eric, Karen, Marita, and Hanna all paddled out on kayaks. Indy and I paddled out on a longboard and Jen paddled out on another board. We paddled out pretty far and Eric spread the ashes. It was the most beautiful day, so clear, so perfect. Then, just as we paddled back in, Karen and Jen saw a turtle! Karen followed it saying, "I'm following you, Peggy!" It was the most amazing experience!

That afternoon and evening we had more sleepover fun...again, remember our new motto! And then yesterday we had more beach time and then clean up time. In the afternoon, just before we were going to leave, Granddad Joe tripped up the stairs and fell pretty hard face forward. He broke his fall with his right shoulder and was in quite a bit of pain. The brothers and Putter took him to Straub where they discovered that he had indeed broken his arm.

Joe and Peter had a flight to catch at 11pm and Joe did not want to delay their departure, so with the doctor's approval, they decided to fly out anyway. They put his arm in a sling, gave him some meds and a note to request that they get bumped up to first class, then he'll have it looked at when he gets back home. What a way to end their trip!

We saw them before they left. After the hospital, Mike and Putter, Peter and Granddad, and Jason, Jade, and Cian all came over for dinner at our house in Kalihi. They Granddad and Peter went to catch their flight, everyone left, and we were able to get a much needed good night's rest.

Sawyer is up now, so my mommy duties begin. We'll be heading to Alika house soon. Now that the services are behind us, we can focus on the house, our upcoming sale, thank you cards, and Christmas! I'll post again soon! And will share photos soon too. Have a great day!