Reflecting...

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Elliott came home last week sad. His 11-year old classmate and friend in his sixth grade class, Stephanie, drowned with her father while walking along the Makapu'u shoreline on the island of O'ahu. The ocean can be quick and deadly for the unknowing. Never turn your back on the ocean is a common saying in the islands.

What appears to be calm swells can quickly send a rogue wave which wipes you off of the rocky ledges near the ocean's edge. I knew of another woman in Kona who was walking along the rocky shoreline with her boyfriend, seemingly high above the calm waters. A rogue wave smashed into them and washed her boyfriend into the water while it dropped her down onto the ledge below where she broke her back. It happens. This time is took the life of a beautiful young girl and her father who probably tried his best to rescue her to the point of giving up his own life.

I let Elliott light a candle. I asked him to think of all the times he saw her. Talked. Shared. Think about her smile. All the fragile beauty that she was. Then send all the love he could muster to her. And vow to never forget her. Then blow the candle out. Enter darkness...

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