heaven

​I have this terminology I use, when things are going so well that it is hard to articulate the rapture that one feels. The phrase goes something like this: I have died and gone to heaven. That terminology seems to fit the situation now.

Yesterday was Saturday. We had two items on our todo list: 

Swap meet and Pearl harbor. We did them both and had a wonderful time. It was a cloudy day so we were spared from the hot sun rays, which was good. We bought two little bags of fruit to share and eat as we walked around the vendors.   (Pineapple and spicy mango)

The stadium is pretty near the Pearl Harbor memorial. So we went there after the swap meet. We secured tickets to the Arizona Memorial and took the walk of memories prior to the film and boat ride that is part of the tour. We must have done it before, but the short movie was interesting and moving. Tears sprang to my eyes as the narrator described the tragedy of that day. I noticed people all around me wiping their eyes. Fantastic tribute. Then we took a. boat ride to the monument. It was fascinating and stands right above the Arizona ship that sank. All but three of the ships (27) attacked and sunk that day were recovered but not the Arizona, the Utah, or the xxx. My favorite phrase describing the memorial that I read during our visit follows: 
"The form, wherein the structure sags in the center but stands strong and vigorous on the ends, expresses initial defeat and ultimate victory . . . The overall effect is one of serenity." Alfred Preis, architect

How can anyone read those words and not be filled with appreciation and reverence  for God's gracious hand and sustaining blessing for us as a country and as individuals in our everyday lives.

Stopped at Costco to get a couple things and some lunch. I have been impressed that during these activities, we saw people of wealth and the poorest of the poor that you can possibly imagine. Nice, young families with faithful, hardworking parents and darling little children. We saw this little old lady in a wheelchair eating some pizza at Costco. She was bent over and frail like Gma at her very worst. I couldn't help but think that God loves all these people because we are all his children. Whether they are  wealthy or impoverished is incidental, he knows and loves us all. He has a reward in store for all that will receive it.

We also took a drive down to Waikiki beach to hang out and take in the sun. We parked at the Honolulu zoo. As we arrived, I noticed some beach volleyball, two matches going on side-by-side, so there was never a delay in the action. As soon as one match completed its turn the next match began playing its set, so there was never a lull while referees called timeouts or in between services. It was womens two-person teams, Huskies WA vs Hawaii. The Huskies were leading and got well ahead of  Hawaii , but the team from the islands came back and took the match in a dramatic finale.

Then we talked to a man that was walking two beautiful Beagles where we should eat. He was a local and had several good ideas. we chose Lulus. It was a delightful upstairs restaurant with open air windows and a band playing the blues. Linda got Mahi-Mahi (dolphin), emily chose steak, and I had clam chowder and a large mozzarella, tomato salad with balsamic reduction. It was delightful.

We spent our final  night in our lovely little place in Honolulu. Sunday we are headed up to our apartment on the north shore by Laie.