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.

The tooth fairy and money making shenanigans.

The "tooth fairy" wasn't very good at properly "archiving" one of the girls teeth after she collected it from under the pillow (who knows when, and I know, a little weird). But anyways, Kawena finds it in a little ziploc bag, and comes running to the living room to show me. "Mom! Look, I found a tooth!"

Me: "Ok honey, well it looks like the tooth fairy left it behind on accident, you can either put it on Mommy's dresser or throw it away."

Kawena: Shocked I suggested such a thing, "No way, Mom!"

And as she's walking back to her room, pondering her new found fortune, I hear her whisper mischievously, "This might still be worth something!!"

On that note, enjoy this story:
 

Creativity, in our children.

e·qui·lib·ri·um

Equilibrium:
A state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces.

Sometimes, I am SO off balance, in the state of UNrest.  All or nothing-instant gratification--excessive--indulgent--always going BIG or going home, kinds of off balance.  I know what I need to do, I just need to do it.  Like: set priorities straight.  Think things through.  Breathe.  Balance.  Be flexible.  Rid myself of things that don't bring me JOY or are a waste of precious time.  (wait, is this considered...oh, never mind)  :9

Recovery Ice Bath:

Freezing craziness after a super long run.

Teehee.  Ok, so I made up my own definition for that one.  ;)  I had my first one on Sunday, after a 13.11 mile run.  In the likely case you've never been crazy enough to have one yourself - this is how it goes down.

1.  Run for a period of time long enough to where your legs are like what the hey are you doing, I have grown a brain FOR you and will simply refuse to move in a natural or coordinated form (yes, picture Woody from Toy Story kinda run).

2.  Make a hot cup of anything.  I chose water, but cocoa and tea would work just as well.  It's a mean trick, but it works.  Hot inside, frozen outside.

3.  Don a hoodie and knitted cap, and get your game face on.  Yell in your best Arnold Schwarzenegger (ok, I had to spell check his last name) voice "YOU CAN DO THIS!"

4.  Start the cold water in the tub, and as much as you try to, don't forget the ice.

5.  Start your descent.  Stick your foot in and ignore the little voice in your head convincing you this is quite possibly the way you will die.

6.  Realize it's Now or Never.  Submerse bottom half shakily.  Chatter teeth.  Close eyes.  And before you know it, you're numb, and thinking, this is not so bad now, is it?  

7.  Last but not least - realize the full depth of your mental problems.

 ----------------

Oh, and in case you're wondering - it really works!  NO pain yesterday, or even today!  ;)

Happy Tuesday, Happy kids are back in school day!

Love and hugs,
Mrs. C

Ha foo, Ha foo, hafoo, hafoo, ha fooooo!

I could not help but share this darling video with you!  Make sure you watch until the very end.  :)

Happy Wednesday my lovelies!

XO,
Mrs. C

Ola Mau

Ola mau literally translated is life forever. 

Feeling the tug to update friends and family near and far - a far too neglected blog begins to weigh on one's mind, for good reason.

Feb 17, 2002.

10 years of wedded [mostly] bliss, gone in the blink of an eye.  :)  10 years of loving together, growing together, and learning together.  Happy Anniversary to the most beautiful man, he loves me despite myself.

10 tin foil roses for 10 years.  Who knew tin/aluminum is the metal celebratory of one decade married?  :)

City of Lights.

We celebrated with a combined purpose trip - International Rugby Sevens tournament in Las Vegas.  Highlight of the trip?  Aunty Bea.

 

Welcome Back.

Happy to welcome brother #2 back to the Islands, home.  A new chapter awaits, excited for you!

Spring Fever.

Spring break excursions were slightly less this year with Cali's rugby [knee] injury and crutches handicap.  Therapy appointments prove to work well - she is getting better!

Aunty Sarah (one of my best buds who happens to be a Physical Therapist) working Cali through some exercises.

Got them in the ocean yesterday, finally, and all felt right in the world.  LSD provided the spot, drive right up on the pier and jump in which was perfect for my girl.  We even jumped off the pylons! 

Mom.

Terry is picking Mom up after school today for a couple nights here with us, really happy to see her soon.  

No matter how old I get, I still really need my Mom.

Dad.

Dad coming home soon too, end of April.  Feeling his pull towards home, understand the division of heart, HI and WA are too far apart.  

No matter how old I get, I still really need my Dad.

Siblings.

Sissy holding down the fort in WA, being the world's best Mama to my nieces, and world's best wife to my deserving bro-in-law.  She does what brings her joy, too.

Brother #1 - Japan is treating him well, I know that much.

Brother #2 - See previous entry, Welcome Back.

Brother #3 - Washington dreams.  They're coming true, but I still MISS you!  ;)

Oh, and no matter how old I get, I still really need my siblings.

Grandma.

Still don't know how I can properly pay tribute to my Grandma (my namesake).  Although I was only 10 when she passed, I have the fondest memories of her love.  I need to talk about her to my children more, instill her lasting legacy of aloha.  Dad tells us of her spirit of giving without expecting, and her expressions of selfless love - 'give your hurt to Grandma, I'll take it for you'.

 Love and Life.

Closing thought - I have SO much more than I deserve.  Happy you're in my life!  :)

Love, hugs, and cheers,

Mrs. C