Make-a-Wish Trip to Oahu Days 6 and 7

  Day Six of our trip to Oahu was full of lots of unexpected highlights.  Daniel and Dad rented snorkel gear.  Moses and I went shopping instead.  After we'd picked up enough cookies and candies from the only shops open so early, we hung out at the hotel Koi pond.

  I decided he's especially cute, right?

Our trip to the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden that afternoon turned out to be spectacular.  I didn't know what to expect but really, it was one of those places that makes you stop and think, "And Heaven is EVEN prettier?!"

Saturdays and Sundays, from 10-2 the park loans out free bamboo poles and allows catch and release fishing.  The place seemed to be popular mainly with the locals.  We felt slightly less like tourists and more like a family enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon.

  For a long time it was all about the journey.

In other words, the fish didn't like us, our poles or the Hawaiian sweet rolls we purchased for $2 in the hotel gift shop.  But, eventually the guy fishing next to us, filled us in on the secrets, let us use his fluffy white bread and even let Moses pretend to catch and pull out a few of their catches.

Soon we were even catching a few of our own.

The walk back to return the poles gave us more breath-taking views of God's creation.

  We found a great little meadow near the parking lot.  Family's were enjoying their KFC and opening their pizza boxes, while kids ran around and played with siblings and cousins.  We stopped and snapped a picture of us, happy despite our wet and sticky faces.

For our last night, after carefully budgeting all day, we splurged on dinner at Roys', the culinary highlight of our whole trip.

This Roy's location took excellent care of Moses' needs.  They even brought him a carefully fashioned crudite plate with slimly cut carrots, celery and a fan of apple slices.  And look what the poor guy had to eat...

  Seriously, can I have what he's having?  But it's okay.  I liked mine too!  Butterfish!

Then we walked around Waikiki and finally here's a picture of our hotel sign!

  We ended our last night with our last Hawaiian treats.  I'd said my wish was to drink coconut water fresh out of a coconut since I'd missed my chance in Maui.  

  So, we finally could go home.  But not until Wish Kid finished giant Hawaiian Save Ice number 4!

Day 7 we headed home.  We had a few adventures, like when both Dan and I were stopped in the security line because my hat let off the metal detector and our boys thought we were ahead of them and took off across the airport.  Definitely a highlight was hearing the TSA shout, "Stop those children!"

   On the plane home the boys played games and journaled about their travels.  And I sat back and enjoyed that time of experience becoming solidified into memories.  Thank you for letting me share them.  

  I am so grateful for all the people who went into making this happen.  Being in a popular wish location really gave me an understanding of just how much giving this all takes.  Because while, yes, they made Moses feel like such a special kid, I realized that there are so many more like him and each one represents travel miles donated, corporations making accommodations, volunteers showing up and listening, individuals and groups raising funds and giving generously.

   I've heard over and over how Make-a-Wish has changed children's lives.  I've spent a little time thinking about the ways it's already changed ours.  

   During this year of treatment, knowing this was coming up almost felt like a goal for Moses.  As we counted down to no more shots were were also counting down to this trip.  And it kind of flipped things for him.  As strangers would first hear of his disease and treatment would look at him with long faces and pitiful eyes he'd chime in with a smile, "And then I get to go to Bawaii to meet a dolphin and a shark!  And I am going to have Bawaiian shaved ice on my birthday!"

   It was his way of saying, "Don't feel sorry for me!  You have no idea how great I have it!"

   It also strengthened my boys' relationship to each other.  Naturally, during treatment the child who is sick tends to get the lion's share of attention.  Toys, gifts, cards, cuddles, questions of concern.  But this was different.  This was something they could share.  It was an unforgettable opportunity for Daniel too.  And I think he was grateful to Moses for sharing it.  And then made a week full of memories that no one else in the world could relate to better than their own brother. 

  Thank you to anyone who might be reading this who played a part in this blessing.  Mahalo!