Warm Hearts And An Open Home
Wednesday - May 21, 2008
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Del.icio.usDear Pamela,
Life is uncertain, eat dessert first. That has always been our motto and we surely lived our life with our whole hearts and soul, but nevertheless, many were shook to their cores when my boyfriend, James Masterson, got into a devastating motorcycle accident that left him with numerous broken bones and an injured spinal cord, paralyzing his legs. Nonetheless, James was blessed with his lifesaver, Barbel Miller, who cleared his airway; The Queen’s Medical Center for its awesome medical team; his Scorpion helmet, which ultimately saved his life; and so many angels who were sent our way. Today, I’d like to recognize two very special individuals.
Makani Christensen came to our rescue by helping us petition for a solution to fix Kaluanui Road in Mariner’s Ridge where James got injured along with numerous other accidents in the past, and secondly, by asking his grandmother, Mrs. Pansy Long, to allow us to occupy two rooms in her beautiful Pearl City home during our time of transition. Our current home has stairs. Mrs. Long welcomed James, Peggy (James’ mother, who flew in from Chicago) and me into her home without even meeting us.
Mrs. Long’s warmth and aloha is more than anyone could ask for. She taught us to be strong in the spirit and soul. Given our situation we may not be able to repay her, but we will definitely pay it forward. Despite this difficult time, we are awestruck time and time again with the island’s beautiful aloha spirit. We are most grateful for so many unquestionable acts of kindness from Makani and Mrs. Long, for without them our healing process would not be the same.
We thank them both from the bottom of our hearts.
Layla Chen, James
Masterson and Peggy
Ruleford
Pearl City
Dear Layla,
Makani is hopeful something good will come out of a terrible incident. “James and I were roommates at the time of the accident,” he says. “Afterwards we learned about all the other accidents on that road. We started a petition, talked to the neighborhood board, wrote to all the politicians who might help. Our hope is that no one else has to suffer like James.”
Dear Pamela,
I would like to express my deep appreciation for the excellent workers at Hakuyosha on Beretania Street. When I dropped off my laundry, I must have dropped my checkbook without noticing it. When I got home, there was a message from Violet. She informed me that Shawna found my checkbook on the floor and had kept it for me. Because of their honesty they saved me a lot of trouble, especially identity theft. Three cheers for the great job and honesty of Violet, Shawna and Claire at Hakuyosha Beretania.
Sue Yamamoto
Liliha
Dear Sue,
Claire Mariano, Violet Vallejos and Shawna Templa are blown away that you would recognize them publicly for a gesture they would have extended to any of the Hakuyosha customers.
Dear Pamela,
I went to a movie in Mililani and apparently lost my wallet. I tore the house and car apart looking for it. There was only about $5 in it, but my debit card and driver’s license and other such items were in it.
The next day my mother got a call from Jose Cato asking if a Donald Martinez lived there. There was no phone number in the wallet so he went through a lot of trouble tracking me down.
He found my wallet in the street with all the cards scattered around. He picked everything up and refused to take any money for his kind deed. He deserves much APPLAUSE for not only his honesty, but for this effort in locating me. My sincerest thanks for his help.
Donald Martinez
Pearl City
Dear Donald,
Your angel was actually Fernando Cota, who has a coffee roasting business called Café-Cabo. “We were jogging in Mililani,” says Fernando’s wife, Donna. “Suddenly Fernando stopped to pick up a wallet and all these papers. We met Donald at Wal-Mart, but my husband didn’t want any reward. This is typical behavior for him. He’s a very caring person.”
(If you know someone who deserves some Applause, send your letters to Pamela Young, MidWeek Applause, KITV, 801 S. King St., Honolulu, HI, 96813 or e-mail pyoung@kitv.com. Include your name, phone number and, if possible, the phone number of your “applaudee” so we can contact him or her.)
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