Mahalo is a way of saying “thank you” in Hawaiian and today we give mahalo for things but also people.
A few weeks ago, my mother in Vermont asked what we’d be eating for Thanksgiving here on the Big Island.
“We’re going to a luau,” I said.
“So pork and pineapple,” she replied as we shared a good chuckle.
I’m very much looking forward to our traditional luau tonight and very grateful to share it with Ben. This is our fourth Thanksgiving meal together in our fourth home. Despite all the moving, I maintain some Thanksgiving traditions as I’m sure you do, too.
First, I’m always sure to call my grandfather and my parents. At 90, my grandfather has made a strong and impressive recovery from a hard year of health–and we’re all very grateful that he continues to look after our clan. Of course, some of his days are better than others, but I’m expecting him here in Kona next October for the annual Iron Man triathalon finals. My parents, too, are enjoying good health and a new lease on life as they have moved into semi-retirement (which, I really don’t understand because it’s harder to contact them now than when they were working). Tomorrow is their 45th (I think) wedding anniversary. What a blessing it is to be grateful for family.
Second, I dust off some old presents I received years ago from students. These “kids” are all grown up, now, but I dig up these special things on Thanksgiving to remember their young voices. One was a letter I received in my second year of teaching written by a student on behalf of the student council. It’s precious, especially since he’s now that he’s 36. The other is a video some of my students made in 2018; it’s hard to believe they’re now almost done with college. I have few treasures for which I am as grateful. What special things do you hold tightly around this time of year?
As I mentioned above, this is the fourth Thanksgiving Ben and I have shared. It’s been a heck of a road as I’ve regained my health, we’ve survived covid like you all, and marked five (yes, 5) moves for me from the East Coast to the West Coast to the Pacific. It’s such a stirring story that we wrote most of it down. If you’ve not ordered yourself a copy, you still can. Get your hands on Ben & Jeff’s Pacific Adventure: Pursuing the Perfect Mai Tai today. I’m curious to see if it’s as boozy as Prince Harry’s new book. I’m thankful for the adventure, thankful for my co-adventurer, and thankful for those kind enough to read my thoughts.
With much mahalo,
Jeff Aubuchon
