He was like family to me. I can still hear him. "honey!"
Sometimes demanding but because of his illness he was angry and sometimes took it out on people closest to him. This happens alot... We all knew he was a good man, caring and had a full life.
He gave to his kids, his many adopted and foster kids. A big Hawaiian man with a big heart. He was a Vet in Korean war time. Still young when he died at only 68. I was his caregiver before his prostate cancer lead to colon cancer.
He has surgery on his spine which crippled him and left his legs paralyzed. So I came in several months ago. He had a special lift in which he could stand and I'd wheel him to the bathroom shower or to his wheelchair.
I spent most days talking to him, his wife and kids ages 10 and 13. "Nevah mind da bath." He talked to me about things he did not talk about to others. He felt depressed at times, frustrated that he could not walk and do things like he once did.
They had a big yard with lots of mango and orange trees, a house to take care of. However, everyone chipped in and helped as he ordered the kids to do their chores.I even climbed up those mango trees!
The kids worked hard. You could tell they were disciplined and not like ordinary kids these days. He was tough on them. Whenever I was there, they always got me drinks, snacks and were so polite.
We even lay on the bed and watched movies sometimes eating popcorn and drinking cherry slushes or they'd say, "go take a nap!"
John and Feona were special people who touched many lives. They had several foster kids and helped their neighbors, friends and family. I took care of John but I felt like I was part of their family. Didn't matter the color of my haole skin. What mattered was the kind of person you are. I was not treated any different. We laughed, cried, went out shopping and they always got me lunch. So kind, so accepting, so appreciative.
Speaking to Feona on the phone today, she told me he passed away. Still remembering the things John did. She told me they celebrated his 68th birthday. they made him a cake and sang happy birthday. Even though he could not eat, he felt happy.
Keolani, the 10 year old danced for her Daddy. her first solo Polynesian dance was coming up. She said Daddy can't be there to see it. So they went to the Vet's home. She put on her hula costume, make up, lei and danced for her Daddy. His eyes lit up and he smiled.
John could not speak but he heard, he saw and he felt.
I will miss you Uncle John. Aloha. See you on the other side.
