Time and other things of past.

Whew.  I bet you never saw this coming.  :) 

It's true.  Calista-Rae, AKA Makana, is officially a ninth grader.  I am the mother of a high-school-aged child.  Yes, I feel like I was just cradling her in my arms yesterday, and yes, I feel her hand loosening it's grip on mine, and yes, I cried as I watched her board the high school bus, and no, I didn't hijack the bus for another hug and kiss from her, or to whisper another word of advice and encouragement, like I felt I needed to.  And guess what?  She survived the first day.  And the second.  And the third; and then I noticed the pattern:  my kids survive without me.  How can that be?

Calista, 1st day 9th Grade, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii Campus

Miss Kawena, as to spare Mama from the breakdown of too many milestones in one year, keeps in routine at Kanu as a 4th grader!  Of course, her anxiety of no longer having big sissy around campus was evident, but she too, survived the transition, and is thriving.

Kawena, 1st day 4th Grade, Kanu

Terry is working out on the dairy farm in O'okala, helping build the expansion there.  He is finishing up the last year or so of the expansion of his brain and will hopefully be graduating in 2014 with a BS in Agriculture, majoring in Aquaculture.  Um yeah.  He's amazing.

My dirty farm boy

Ok, so moving on.  To me?  Well, finished up a project, moved my office home, going to tend to my house and personal matters I put to the wayside while my energies were focused primarily on work, and think about all the things I am thankful for, some of which involve my Mom.  Yep, that pretty much sums it up.  ;)

Ka 'ohana Campbell

Lots of love.  xoxoxo

Losing Mom

Elissa Nalani Prestidge Recaido was born April 15, 1955 in Honolulu, Hawaii; she was the fourth of 9 children born to Albert and Elizabeth Prestidge, Sr. of Kalihi, Hawaii.  Lisa attended St. John the Baptist School in Kalihi,  and graduated from Kamehameha in 1973.  After graduation, she worked as a waitress and a hula dancer on a local tour boat, while attending school part-time at Honolulu Community College.   In 1975, Lisa met Charles Recaido; they were wed on June 12, 1977. They welcomed their first child, DoRe', later that year.  In 1979, two ministers of God shared the gospel story, which Lisa embraced with her whole heart.  This strengthened her lifelong faith in and love of God; her example in these things marked a path for her 'ohana and others to follow.   Keala was born in 1982; two years later, the family moved to Kealakekua, on the Big Island.  They welcomed Joshua in 1985; Kale followed in 1987.   In 1988, the family relocated again to Waimea, and, in 1992, Charles and Lisa's youngest child, Noah, was born.

Lisa worked many years as a store clerk in the community of Waimea, making many friends along the way.  Her interests included la'au lapa'au (Hawaiian medicinal healing), which she had opportunity to study under Papa 'Auwae at Lapakahi; midwifery; and political issues pertaining to sovereignty and the Hawaiian kingdom, with great interest in perpetuating the Hawaiian culture.  She spent many years joyfully raising her children, volunteering in numerous school- and community-based activities, sharing with countless others the sweetness and warmth of her beautiful spirit.

                 

Lisa’s journey ended June 29, 2012. She was preceded in death by her eldest brother William, and beloved nephew Mark Maglinti. She is survived by parents, Albert & Elizabeth Prestidge, Sr. of Kalihi; husband, Charles Recaido of Waimea; daughters, DoRe’ (Daniel) Arnall of Silverdale, WA, Keala (Terry) Campbell of Waimea; sons, Joshua Recaido of Bremerton, WA, Kale Recaido of Waimea, Noah Recaido of Bremerton, WA; five granddaughters, Calista, Kiana, Mikela, Kawena, and Malia;  sisters, Alberta (Gilbert) Cardus of Waipio, Jacqueline (Henry) Kamai of Kalihi, Carol (Robert) Ueda of Kahuku, Althea (Peter) Marcellino of Waianae, Elizabeth (Judy Hillyer) Prestidge of Fremont, CA; brothers, Albert (Melinda) Prestidge, Jr. of Kaneohe, Robert Prestidge of San Francisco, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts & uncles.

What if I had 5 more minutes with my beautiful, amazing, genius, one-of-a-kind Mom?  I would ask her if it was all worth it, and she would say it was.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for all the thoughts, prayers, and messages we received after news of Mom's passing traveled.  Mahalo mahalo mahalo to all who have reached out, both naturally and spiritually.

It has been discovered that in the months prior to her leaving us, Mom wrote letters to quite a few of our beloved friends and family.  It's been so comforting to read what was on Mom's mind and in her heart; I believe this was her last gift to us.  

Mom has been preparing us since childhood to live and thrive without her.  And so it begins.  I only have thankfulness in my heart to our God for sending her to Granny & Papa, who loved her best, and shared her with us.  Me ke aloha pau ole, Mama.  Until we meet again.

[this has been a draft for 9 months, I think itʻs time to share]  Love, Me

Elissa Nalani Prestidge Recaido

Elissa Nalani Prestidge Recaido, 57, of Waimea, died June 29 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Honolulu, she was a homemaker.

Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. July 12 at Kahilu Town Hall in Waimea for a 10:30 a.m. service. Family request aloha attire be worn. In lieu of floral arrangements, a lei or single flower is appreciated and will be used in the ceremony of spreading her ashes.

She is survived by husband, Charles Recaido, of Waimea; daughters, DoRe (Daniel) Arnall, of Silverdale, Wash., Keala (Terry) Campbell, of Waimea; sons, Joshua Recaido and Noah Recaido, both of Bremerton, Wash., Kale Recaido, of Waimea; parents, Albert (Elizabeth) Prestidge, of Kalihi, Oahu; sisters, Alberta (Gilbert) Cardus, of Waipio, Jacqueline (Henry) Kamai, of Kalihi, Oahu, Carol (Robert) Ueda of Kahuku, Maui, Althea (Peter) Marcellino, of Waianae, Oahu, Elizabeth (Judy Hillyer) Prestidge, of Fremont, Calif.; brothers, Albert (Melinda) Prestidge Jr., of Kaneohe, Oahu, Robert Prestidge, of San Francisco; five granddaughters; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.