82 years ago tomorrow, June 6th my Mom was born. Even though she died in 2004 she is always in my thoughts, even more now that I live in Hawaii. My Dad was in the Navy and we were stationed here from 1957-1960. I was young but still have my random memories and of course, my photographs. In remembrance of my Mom, I want to share a few photos from that time and a list of random memories...
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| Robin, Mom and me in our Fiat, named Suzy |
-My mom was always very active and involved; she made shell jewelry and sold it, she was President of the CPO Wives Club, she was active in the Elks Club wives group.
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| Mom in black on the stairs at Elks Club |
-When the huge tsunami hit in 1960 we were lucky to live on a hill... our house became a refuge for strangers and my mother opened our house to them. I remember a huge pot of chicken soup on the stove trying to find a way to feed everyone.
-My mom got a 3' carved tiki for Christmas and as a joke put a braided rope around it, like it was a necklace for the Jolly Green Giant, and "wore" it to bingo as a good luck charm!
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| This is me! |
-My mom loved for us to be involved in local activities and had Robin and I take hula and Tahitian dance lessons. She made all of our dance costumes herself.
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| Mom and Uncle Joey |
-My mom loved to be involved in the culture no matter where we lived. I can remember she was almost always wearing mumus which was very common attire then.
-My parents were loved by the community for all they did and the kind and loving people they were. They would do anything to help someone in need. When we left they had a big going away party to say "Aloha" to us and my Mom made us sailor costumes to wear and fixed our hair in rag curls!
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| New article about our Aloha party |
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| Violet at the volcano |
No matter how long she is gone, my Mom is with me always in my heart, I close my eyes and open my mind and she is there. I remember all of the things she did for me and my sisters and how much she sacrificed. She did not have and easy life, but she lived it with grace, and love, a sense of humor and a strong spirit. When my wind chimes ring, it is her talking to me...maybe she's complaining, maybe she's praising, maybe she's telling one of her endless stories.... but she's always singing. My mother, Violet Fouke McGoon, was an amazing woman and she will always be thought of with much ALOHA.
Happy Birthday, in Hawaiian is Hau'oli lā hānau (pronounced How-o-lee Laa Haa-now)
