FUN & FEAR IN HAWAII LAST WK.
03-19-2011, 08:49 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Western Arizona
Posts: 1,930
While most of you were at home happily quilting, my son had talked me into going to Hawaii with them. He's been trying to push me out of the "nest" after losing my husb. Well, the island (Oahu) & Waikiki were gorgeous & the beaches were perfect.
About 4 days in, I got a call that my last brother was very bad & passed away the next day. As if that wasn't bad enough, we got involved in the tsunami warnings after the earthquake in Japan. Emergency alarm went off in the whole area at 10pm. That's the first I knew something was wrong.
Hotel told everybody to stay above the 5th floor. The streets were evacuated by police. Since we were across the st. from the beach, I watched the water all night from our balcony on the 14th floor. Boats were told to get out into deep water.
I was terrified not knowing what to expect. All I could think about was putting my clothes & shoes on in case we had to run somewhere. Then my dumbest thought was "heck, I can't even swim" as if that would have mattered.
Thank God, the islands were not hit like we were prepared for. The water was a little high but receded in the morn. We were even able to fly out the next day on schedule. I was glad to get my feet into the air & off the ground. For my first trip out since becoming a widow, it was one to write home about.
About 4 days in, I got a call that my last brother was very bad & passed away the next day. As if that wasn't bad enough, we got involved in the tsunami warnings after the earthquake in Japan. Emergency alarm went off in the whole area at 10pm. That's the first I knew something was wrong.
Hotel told everybody to stay above the 5th floor. The streets were evacuated by police. Since we were across the st. from the beach, I watched the water all night from our balcony on the 14th floor. Boats were told to get out into deep water.
I was terrified not knowing what to expect. All I could think about was putting my clothes & shoes on in case we had to run somewhere. Then my dumbest thought was "heck, I can't even swim" as if that would have mattered.
Thank God, the islands were not hit like we were prepared for. The water was a little high but receded in the morn. We were even able to fly out the next day on schedule. I was glad to get my feet into the air & off the ground. For my first trip out since becoming a widow, it was one to write home about.
03-19-2011, 09:17 PM
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,039
My Goodness. So sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and most recently your brother. It is always so difficult. Sounds like you have some pretty terrific kids though, wanting to get you back out. Im sure hubby and brother both would want you to be happy as well. Glad your back safely. Take care, thoughts and prayers always.
03-20-2011, 09:04 AM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
I'm sorry for your loss.
But the trip.....you survived it, thought through what to do to help yourself (even if you thought it was silly!), had perspective on it afterward, and went home to live well another day!
How empowering that should be for you!
Yes, you are lonely, but you are not alone. There is a whole wide world out there just waiting for the taking. I hope you dance! Bless your sweet son. :-)
Jan in VA
But the trip.....you survived it, thought through what to do to help yourself (even if you thought it was silly!), had perspective on it afterward, and went home to live well another day!
How empowering that should be for you!
Yes, you are lonely, but you are not alone. There is a whole wide world out there just waiting for the taking. I hope you dance! Bless your sweet son. :-)
Jan in VA
03-20-2011, 09:10 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 11,903
I am sorry your brother passed away and that you were caught up in the tsunami warnings. I was on Skype with family that was stuck in apartments on Oahu and no one had a car to take them and all the little ones out. I am so greatful that the tsunami did not materialize. They just went through this same experience Feb. 27, 2010 too after the Haiti earth quake. Now you have something to tell your friends about.
03-20-2011, 07:37 PM
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Western Arizona
Posts: 1,930
Thank you all for your well wishes. Disaster always seems to come in bunches to me. I've been quite a basket case since I lost 6 people including our only daughter 7 yrs. ago from which I never recovered. Been diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Then 3 people when I lost my husb. & now my bro. & the tsunami. I'm just almost numb now.
My salvation was my quilting though. I found refuge in ea. project. I'm finally getting my old self back again but I tend to hold my breath when my ph. rings.
You all have been like family of sorts for me since I spend so much time on here reading what you all have to say. So I am returning to the happy, confident person I used to be.
Keep sewing & I'm sewing with you. Started a "Spicy Spiral" today. Kind of confusing a bit.
Pat
My salvation was my quilting though. I found refuge in ea. project. I'm finally getting my old self back again but I tend to hold my breath when my ph. rings.
You all have been like family of sorts for me since I spend so much time on here reading what you all have to say. So I am returning to the happy, confident person I used to be.
Keep sewing & I'm sewing with you. Started a "Spicy Spiral" today. Kind of confusing a bit.
Pat
03-20-2011, 08:48 PM
#9
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
Originally Posted by Pat G
Thank you all for your well wishes. Disaster always seems to come in bunches to me. I've been quite a basket case since I lost 6 people including our only daughter 7 yrs. ago from which I never recovered. Been diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Then 3 people when I lost my husb. & now my bro. & the tsunami. I'm just almost numb now.
My salvation was my quilting though. I found refuge in ea. project. I'm finally getting my old self back again but I tend to hold my breath when my ph. rings.
You all have been like family of sorts for me since I spend so much time on here reading what you all have to say. So I am returning to the happy, confident person I used to be.
Keep sewing & I'm sewing with you. Started a "Spicy Spiral" today. Kind of confusing a bit.
Pat
My salvation was my quilting though. I found refuge in ea. project. I'm finally getting my old self back again but I tend to hold my breath when my ph. rings.
You all have been like family of sorts for me since I spend so much time on here reading what you all have to say. So I am returning to the happy, confident person I used to be.
Keep sewing & I'm sewing with you. Started a "Spicy Spiral" today. Kind of confusing a bit.
Pat
03-20-2011, 11:03 PM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posts: 1,978
So sorry about the loss of your DH and then your brother. It was good you heeded the pre-warnings and stayed put. Living in Hawaii, we were all on edge and praying the tsunami wouldn't cause severe damage or loss of life. What an experience to live through!!!
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