A Ho‘ohana of Faith and Family

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NEW LINK: A Ho‘ohana of Faith and Family

Comments

[Stacy Brice]

Faith and family... as I read the list, I felt a momentary twinge of regret and sadness.

Although I had a family (parents, grandparents and the like)I didn't have a family with whom, or from whom I learned any of those lessons (it's hard to get from narcissists). That's what made me feel sad, because I think all children deserve to have the family that you conjure up in your post, Rosa.

But I rejoice, at this time of year and all others, that I found and learned about faith on my own, and with/from other important people who have been in my life over the years.

And now, at 42, I'm delighted beyond measure to have a chosen family to love and be loved by, and to have faith in and offer my own faithfulness to. If life is a journey, I'm probably living the best part, right now. :)

Here's to faith and love, whether it comes from expected, or entirely unplanned sources!

[Rosa]

Stacy, in reading what you have written here, my first thought is about ‘ohana, the Hawaiian value associated with family, for it defines a “human circle of aloha” which has very little (if anything) to do with birthright or family by blood.

In an ‘ohana we have the right, privilege, and honor of choosing those we consider family; we invite them to be part of our aloha circle, and we share who we are completely. It seems to me that is what you have done.

As you do, I wish a perfect upbringing for every child, however parenting is one of the most intensive and difficult endeavors known, and sometimes it can seem that circumstance conspires against one’s very best efforts. It is very understandable that perfection is elusive. So we strive for love and for mālama (care and protection) instead, and we do the best that we can.

Thus to have a value like ‘ohana, where we are allowed, no encouraged! to seize such freedom of choice is a magnificent blessing. The popular adage says that “age is a state of mind.” So is family.

[John Richardson]

Rosa this is one of the best articles I have ever read on Faith. I like your words... "Faith teaches us to trust and to believe, and within family we find our greatest teachers." This is so true.

My dad taught me about faith and that gift came home with his passing last month. This last Sunday we scattered his ashes out to sea, where my mom was laid to rest in 1986. They are together again and my faith is stronger than ever.

Thanks for taking time for us... your online family this holiday season.

Merry Christmas to you, your family and the entire Ho‘ohana community.

John