Burial for my MOTHER
It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that my mother has passed. She was still in Florida where she had gone to spend time with my sister, Ku'ulei, right before the Pandemic had begun. She ended up staying there and never making it back home to Hawaii. I take comfort in knowing that she died peacefully in her sleep, but it breaks my heart to pass her room everyday, knowing that she'll never be returning to our home.
My mom was a gentle soul who always lived for today, but she also never planned for her death. She had no insurance or burial plans, so we are beginning the process of collecting her remains and starting the journey to bring her back to Hawaii where she can have her final rest with the love of her life, my father. Losing him as a small child broke all of us, my mother was all we had left.
This is a very difficult time, being furloughed for the last 16 months. And I am NOT the type of person who normally reaches out for for help. However, after a long conversation with my siblings, and guidance from some of my close friends, I feel encouraged to ask for the help we need to give my mom a proper farewell.
We plan to hold a small service on the mainland for relatives from my mother's side of the family, as the majority of them will not be able to travel all the way to Hawaii for her burial. So, we need help.
Her name is Bette Queypo, and as my brother, Kalani, says, "she was flawed and fabulous... her blood courses through my veins, and I am so grateful to have loved her fiercely...". I will miss talking to my mom and getting her motherly advice. I will miss her jokes and her laugh. She was the kindest person I knew who would give anyone who wronged her the gift of forgiveness. She truly did live for the moment and I can only hope that I can live my life in the same way.
If you can give, we appreciate you. Whatever you give, alleviates the financial pressure and helps us to focus on processing the loss of my mother. She dedicated her life to raising her children to be kind and respectful people, just like her, and I want to honor her with a proper farewell.