Neal found out that Walker, Spencer's son, was somewhere in Hawaii. After lots of questions and pleading he was able to get Walker's phone number and found out that he not only lives on Ohau but that he is only about 20 minutes away from Emmi. We haven seen Walker since he was about 7 or 8 years old. Spencer has chosen to not have any contact with Neal for close to 18 years and in doing that has kept Walker away from Neal as well. I don't understand why Spencer has chosen to distance himself from Neal or why he feels he has to protect Walker from Neal. Even Neal's kids are very reluctant to give Neal any information about Spencer or Walker. With that said, our experience with Walker yesterday was amazing, fun, relaxed and genuine.
We picked Walker up around 10:00 and began our day long adventure of seeing more of the island and getting to know Walker. He talked a little about his life's journey. When Walker was 3 months old, his mother, Shelly, left Spencer. At some point Walker and his mother moved to California and lived out of a van. I don't know for how long. Walker did go back to live with Spencer and at 16 left his dad. He had no contact with Spencer for over 4 years. He eventually joined the Army and has been in the army for the last 5 years. He also takes care and supports his mother. I was impressed with how he has taken responsibility for his life. He is a great young man and I'm so glad that we had the opportunity to get to know him. He is very open to love and being loved and getting to know this side of the family.
We stopped at Mokule'la Beach for a little while.
Getting ready to head to our next stop. Which was lunch.
We had a delicious lunch at Seven Brothers. Has to be on my list of great hamburgers and fries!! Emmi informed me that these boys are LDS. I figured there had to be some connection with the church when I saw this sign in their establishment on a surf board. One has to LOVE our "Mormon" phrases!!
Wandered around La'ie shopping center and then Sip for a soda. There are two reasons why I'm laughing so hard. First of all I told Neal and Walker to lean in so Emmi could snap a picture. Instead of leaning in and toward Neal I leaned in and against Emmi thus eliminating me from the picture. Yes, I did get the giggles. Then Emmi told me a story about Annie at the eye doctor and I totally lost it. So we were laughing with Annie and she wasn't even there! I love my life (most of the time). I love being happy, seeing the humor in things and laughing so hard I can't breathe!
Our next stop was the visitors center. Apparently Walker had a buddy in Texas who was in the army, had been on a mission and shared a lot with Walker about the gospel and the church. Walker had also done some research on his own. We spent about 2 hours going through the visitors center with the missionaries. We watched three short videos and then spent a fun time with the elders and the sisters. They are all so young and so fun to chat with.
I noticed that Walker asked one of the sisters if he could have a Book of Mormon and spent a good half hour talking with one of the missionaries while the rest of us were kind of hanging out with the other missionaries.
I think it was about 6:30ish when we left the center and began our journey toward home. We stopped at a Kawela beach to enjoy the sunset and soak in the memories of the day.
I was excited to see two large turtles on the beach. We do live in such a beautiful world.
Emmi happened to snap this photo. I kind of remember the moment as a rather emotional one. I was looking out at the ocean, the sun setting and feeling happy all over. Happy and thankful that I have a granddaughter who loves me deeply and I love her. And for her selfless time and energy giving so freely to her grandparents. Happy that I am healthy at 81. Happy that I am able to enjoy all of God's creations. Happy that I have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and that I have a strong testimony of my Savior and the plan of salvation. Just plain happy.
They are amazing to me! I never tire of seeing them.
All in all it was an almost perfect day. We said our goodbyes to Walker and told him we would keep in touch. We were hoping to meet his mom but by the time we got back she had already gone to bed. We headed home, making one stop at the grocery store for a few last minute items for Sunday dinner. We played a game of Shanghi and Nine and then off to bed.
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