aunty norma's wisdom

my aunty norma nawahine is like a second mother to me.  growing up, her family lived next door to my family.  she is quick to give advice and even quicker to correct.  i clearly remember one day when my brother, jared, and i were having a huge fight (probably over something childishly stupid) and i'm pretty sure there was hitting involved.  back then my only pathetic defense against my older brothers were to scratch and scream.  i don't know where my grandma was at the time - she usually kept an eye on my bros and me while my mom was at work - but i recall my aunty norma running over to our house and scolding both of us because apparently i was "screaming bloody murder".  and we were instructed by aunty norma to "cut it out immediately".  she settled the dispute exactly the way my mom would...with love and reprimands.

in high school when i attended kamehameha, she was a nurse in hale ola (the on-campus clinic/hospital type facility - with rows of clean beds and yummy, hot meals available).  after my father died, there were many instances where i didn't want to be around other people, didn't want to be in class (typical teenager), and didn't feel like being at kamehameha, period.  aunty norma was my blessing.  she took care of me then and continues to take care of me now, even though we're far apart.

she has five sons and they all treat me like their only little sister (unfortunately, that includes teasing to no end).  when i went to school in utah, i lived with her son's families and now whenever i go to the mainland to visit, i always end up staying with their families.  when i am with the nawahines, i am home.

awesome aunty norma with her grandson

 

each time i post something, she sends me an email with her thoughts and coveted advice that i know i'll always treasure.  i love that she brings me back down to earth with reminders of reality.  the following is some of her wonderful wisdom that she shared with me...now i just need to follow it...

 

begin quote:

• I love your 2013 resolutions. Make sure you write the steps how you are going to accomplish each one. 
• It is important to keep on writing what is happening with your family and your thoughts because when you get my age, it is harder to remember events, people. Photos help a lot to bring back the memory. So be sure you have a photo book with stories and you label the people in the pictures.
• You teach your children that their every whim is not for you to do.
• You can tell them that you will do something with them later when you are able and keep your promise.
• You need to not look back and think what you have not done and look at what you are doing now. One thing at a time.   
• Remember to have time for yourself and develop yourself and you will be a better person, a better wife and a better mother.
• You start with yourself first and know how very awesome you are--kind, loving, sacrificing, beautiful (inside and out), intelligent, spiritually strong, family-oriented, gospel-oriented, industrious, creative, very caring to everybody, organized and a good cook like your mother and Grandma Chang.

Love you my Harmony,

Aunty Norma

end quote.

love you too, aunty!